The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-04


toward his commander and his country
when occasion offers. 1 feel from your
gallant and soldierly bearing and exem-
plary conduct to-day that your bOsoms
are inspired with that patriotic devotion
to home and country which are the main
spring Of every soldierly virtue In the
flash of your eyes and bearing of your
manly forms, ! behold that pride of pa
triotism which should animate our coun-
try's defenders, and 1 know that should
any foe invade our country and attempt
any usurpatiOn of our liberties. YOU would
spring TO arms and march in the defense
of your country and your firesides to death
or glorious victory
Capt Mills said /. initiating the sup
positions voice of my first lieutenant, we
have listened with the profoundest pleas
ure 10 your words of kindly commenda-
ton, which we trust we shall merit in our
future conduct. We hope to do fun justice
to all your expectations and in days to
come, instead of Capt Mills, we hope to
hail you as Maj. Gen. Mills, commanding
Lieutenant said l, in q trembling
voice, as If too much overcome for utter
ance, and drawing my bandana handker-
chief from my hat, cannot express the
feelings of deep qualification which your
words have inspired in my heart. / only
hope that our relations may be
always as pleasant as they have
been on this occasion of our
first meeting as commander and faith
full followers. 1t is now with feelings
of the deepest interest in your future well
fare that bid you good by
Capt. Mills said / again, initiating
the lieutenant, we all join in returning
TO you our most hearty good wishes. Com
rades, three cheers and tiger for Capt
Mills of the Lost Mountain NolunteersH
" 'Hip-hip-hoo-r-a-y!
when the echoes of that cheer had
died away / pulled of my military coat
and sash, carefully wrapped them up ana
paced them in my saddle-bags along with
a copy of ScOtts tactics, and DOMINIC my
everyday oVercoat / started to mount my
horse. / had one foot in the stirrup when
/ heard a little rustling in the foliage Of
the fallen tree.
Turning around / stood face to face
with the tallest mountalneer that i ever
laid eyes upon. He rose up slowly out OF
the crotch Of the tree, and IT seemed 10
me that he grew taller and taller as he
Strengthened himself He was red-whis-
kered, red-faced and crOss-eyed and his
flaming hair fell in wild profusion from
under his coOn-sldn cap. In his hand he
held one of the old-fashiOned squirrei-
puncher rifles that glistened in the sun
as he fixed me with his stern and balefui
Well he said, catching deep breath,
I've seen fools, I've read of fools. I've
heard of fools, but of all the goldarned
fools that ever | saw you are the goi-
darned infernalist.'
"By that time / had recovered my CON-
posture to some extent, and reaching in my
pocket, pulled out two dollar and a
half gold piece, the only money had.
Look here, my friend, / don't sup
pose that you feel any particular inter-
est in telling about this thing. You just
take this and say no more about it,
:" 'Well,' said he, signing, respectfully,
as ] am not I'm the fool-killing business,
l reckon I'll take you up. But feel that
/ am missing a mighty fine opportunity
II mounted my horse and rode off and
that cross-eyed mountaineer kept his
word But never in all my experience
have I had such a close shave as did on
the occasion of my first drill"