The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-14
CHAPTER VI.
TI1II,AHObTh

TULLAHOMA.
Colonel Maynard was ordered to plsl,
forward down tho road from Manohes-
tier toward Tullfhoma in order to test
the truth Of Jakey Slaolx's information.
Jnkey begged permission to 60 with
him, but tho colonel told him that he
had better 60 back to his father and
sister. Jakey argued that he could ae
| VOL roturn from Tullahoma if they
should reach it, and, If not, from any
point where they might halt. The colo
mel at last consented and as they rode
off he remarked to the members Of his
staff, using the conventional military
phrase for announcing staff officer il
orders, "Gentlemen, this Is jacob SlaolS
volunteer aid-de-camp to the colonel
commanding the --th cavalry brigade,
and will bo obeyed and respected rs
suoh. The announcements, couched in
these terms, SO delighted Jakey that ho
cane woll nigh losing his balance and
| falling off old Toms back and getting
| himself trampled OH by tho rest Of tho
staff. But after tho first furry ho made
! most efficient aid e-camp-that is,
If riding close beside the colonel and
being always ready for an order which
was never given constitutes q good staff
officer.
About noon the Notifications around
tho town Of Tullahoma suddenly appear
ed before them. Though it was plain
now that they wero not to be defended,
tho advancing force half expected to SEQ
| n cloud Of smoke burst from them. But
they were silent and impotont, without
t. ops to man them.
Dashing from the edge of the wood,
Colonel Maynard, followed by Jakey
and the rest Of tho staff, rode oyer tho
intervening space, and in few min
utes wero climbing tho slanting sides
Of tho earthworl1s. A point had been
gained which, without tho previous ma
neuvors, would have COST thousands of
lives Eyon Jakey Slack, who can hard
ly be called an educated soldier, expe-
rionced certain comfort Oh riding un-
opposed over brcastworks 30 formidable
Once within them, he got off his horse
and seeing big siego gun from under
which tho carriage had been burned
climbed on to it and sat a.straddle way.
Ing his hat and cheoring as vociferously
as if tho victory had been exclusively
due to his own genius.
His hilarity was suddenly quenohed
by tho colonel, who, riding up to him,
told him that tho brigade was ordered
forward in pursuit Of tho retreating
enemy, and that no must 70 back to
his father and sister. Jal1oy begged hard
to go on, but his appeal was unavail-
ing. His brief dignity must bo resigned
From aid-de-camp OH tho staff of the
colonel commanding tho -th brigade,
ito be obeyed and respected rs such,"
no must DO reduced to the level Of a
small boy.
Tho colonel gayo him hug before
parting and told him that no would
send trooper with him to see him safe
ly on his way. Had Jakoy been SOL
dier his action OH this OCCASION would
have becn considered by any court mar
tial rank mutiny.
'D'y' think I hain't nobody nohow?
Didn't 1 go with y last summer ter
Chattanooga when y war nuthin but a
scout? N didn't I stay in Jail with y?
IN now yer talkin bout sendin q sojor
with me TO nurse"
"All right Jalsoy. Go it alone if you
prefer IL"
Tho colonel rode away, and Jakey,
shorn of tho plumago no had worn so
bocomingly for whole half day, pro-
ceeded on his return journey. He first
inquired tho most direct route to Hills
boro, and having been diroctod to it no
set OF at brisk trot. He had eaten
nothing since carly morning and was
ravenously hungry. At farmhouse by
tho way no secured meal for himself
and q good food for Tom. Then the old
woman who furnished them gave him
kiss and started him again on his
journey.
Jakoy had not gono far before he
camo to road connecting Hillsboro
with tho MacMinnvillo branch OF tho
railroad at q place called Concord. The
road on which ho was travelling forkcd
into the other ut an acute angle, tho two
running nearly parallel for short dis.
tanco. Looking ahead toward tho fork,
ho saw a rig which struck him at onco
as being astonishingly familiar It was
mono other than the rawboned horse and
| paint bcrcft buggy ho had soon several
| times boforo. AS 1t drew near, Jakey
could SEQ somo ono IN the buggy. and
he was not long in recognizing tho pc
culiar dress of Miss Betsy Baggs.
"Hello, Miss Baggs! Whar y goin
at2' he called
Never word spoke Miss Baggs. She
sat bolt upright in hor buggy, regard
ing the boy fixedly as Bobby Leo trian-
sulated onward. AS sho passed sho
s.ant S"aneo her' head slowly, keeping her
spoo'aoios los on Jalsey with M unearthly
sS"ae; 81 re; there there 10 something superstitious
IN III human boings and especially in
poys something like a shiver ran down
1akoys back at sight Of this singular
person, who knew him perfeotlv VET VET
who passed him, her head turn;ns.' -, y. y.
chanically, without uttering a word
For moment ho was tompted to believe
that Miss Baggs had porished. and this
was her ghost going to seek rest IL,
Eorno 0thar land than war annr,.ofl rro,,