Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-29

'WSMlN/N
THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURE SAWED THE AIR
WITH ITS LONG ARMS
1t was u great night that followed
when the campfire was lighted behind
the closed doors of the post Chaplain
O'Rourk was orator of the occasion,
which simply meant that the good father
was first story teller. SO settling the
double folds of his shaven chin above the
endless white choker which rose stiff and
uncompromising out of the gloom and
amplitude of his wrinkleess vest he
twinkled one merry eye on the expectant
faces of the old boys about him and be-
gan his story, with just twinge of
brogue lurking slyly in the rich musical
tones Of his voice:
The smoke had settled on famous
battlefield among the hills of Pennsylva-
mia. Besides the presence of the victo-
rious troops wherever the eye turned was
abundant evidence in the fields that some
thing unusual had happened. The fences
not leveled with the ground were riddled
with holes, the earth was broken and
trampled, and dry branches lay under the
green trees. Out on the ridges, in the
tangled grainfelds and rocky pastures,
men were gathering countless rifles and
cording them in long piles Everywhere
bits of cloth and scraps of leather lit
tered the ground-a cap here and blan-
ket there.
II was the evening of the 9th of July
Bugler Ohld, who carried an arithme-
tic in his nosebag and who had found
some fraction of time to cipher during
lulls in the late engagement, now laid
that well thumbed companion of his cur
rycomb beside gun wheel and stood
forth to blow the supper call.
AS the hungry men are swarming out
from under the carriages armed with
quart cups, and while the clear ra-ta-ta
of the bugle is sounding merrily, there
appears. coming over the hill from the
direction of the village. the most demor
allied apparition in petticoats that ever
flouted in soldiers dream. With the
wild whoop of painted Comanche the
mysterious figure sawed the air with its
long arms and then threw headlong
somersault in the tangled wheat, show
ing flash of white legs and troopers
boots under flying scud of calico, and
landed a sprawling. inert mass in the
stubble
Before the dust kicked up by the ap-
partition aforesaid had settled about the
quivering bundle of rags 80 20" men
were charging through the grain as only
a petticoat could toll them to charge
Corporal Conn was first ON the ground
and at n glance under the sunbonnet
rolled in the wheat convulsed with laugh
ter and in imminent danger of being
ground under the heels of the charge.
'Hurrah. boys, it's Teddy Greggan"
cried the corporal, rolling over onto his
knees and holding his shaking sides;
Teddy with skinful of commissaryl
Gods. but he's drunkr'
Fall backl Give him air Carry her
to the captainl Don't stale the lady's
hairl Whoop it's Teddy Greggan from
the deadr'
Without further ado four muscular
cannoneers seized the body OF Teddy by
its four extremities and burst through
the crowd in the direction of the officers.
"Lo, there, Glasheye," muttered Ted
dy as his half open eyes fell on the broad
shouldered corporal with one eye who
carried his left boot. "Glad-er-see-
yez, Clash
THE officers of Battery Q were seated
In the open air over supper OF toasted
crackers and coffee spread out on pair
of empty ammunition boxes when the
bearers with their burden approached,
followed by stream Of men from all the
batteries up the line.
Private Greggan reports back from
missing, sir" said Corporal Glasseye,
dropping the leg he carried and saluting
the captain.
A shout went up from the mess as the
boys seated Teddy ON the ground and
pulled back the old pink sunbonnet, re-
vealing his leering face and carrotty hair
"a shout in which the victim essayed to
join, making gurgling failure, which,
with his wonderful makeup, caused the
laughter to break out afresh.
Hand him over to the guard, men"
said the captain, land send the corporal
to me-"
Here, captain" said fine looking
Young fellow, belted and gloved, showing
tb& palm of his right hand in front of his
right ear.
Have him undressed, corporal, and
roll him in the creek until he comes
round. Pm glad to see him in any guise.