Evening star., 1896-01-18

the orders. but, with the determination of
necessity, he spurred his horse on and rode
t. the head of his regiment. Before him lay
spread out the picturesque valley of Salt
river. but where was the foe he had marched
fifteen miles to encounter? An old red wa
gon and the ashes Of campfire alone
marked the spot where Brigadier General
Harris and his rebel hosts had been encamp-
ed: Blankly Grant gazed on the deserted
valley, when the thought occurred to him
that Harris had taken fright at his approach
and had run away from him.
A Memorable Breakfast.
Meanwhile the news had been carried into
Florida that force of Union soldiers had
encamped on the banks of Salt river. In all
that town there was but one Union man. DR..
James Goodier, an Englishman by birth, and
he at once proceeded to the camp. After an
exchange of courtesies he invited the colo
mel to his home to supper. Grant declined
with thanks, but said he would present him
self with his adjutant next morning in time
for breakfast.
The monster elm under which Grant slept
that night still stands and is regarded with
almost superstitious reverence by the peo-
pie Just across the river stood the pic
turesque old mill and on its dam the two
men crossed. Grant was not in uniform,
but wore a suit Of brown tweed with tall
white silk hat. His clay-bank horse, with
the one he had acquired from Catlett, was
left on the other side of the river and Col.
Grant entered Florida on foot. AS they as
cended the winding road to the town, the
first human hahtation they reached was
the old house in which Mark Twain was
born.
Orders had been given to the soldiers not
to enter the town, but while Grant was
waiting at the drug store Of Doctor Goodier
to be taken up to breakfast, one of his men
en- tered AS soon as he espied his colonel
he said. sheepishly, to the proprietor. .Do
you keep tobacco here?"
Il have some Of the long green and a box
or two Of chewing" the doctor replied.
wen. hand us over a plug of your best"
Grant was on his feet in a moment.
Have you money to pay for your tobacco?'
he demanded.
IT have" the soldier said. sullenly.
store to select his brand, he whispered TO
the doctor:
1T was whisky wanted"
Grant and the Baby.
AZ the three men stalked up the middle
OF the village street to the doctors home.
Grant said: THAT is the most unruly spirit
IN my regiment. fear cannon ball is the
only kind Of discipline that will ever bring
him into subjection.'
Great was the excitement in Doctor Good
ier's little household at the prospect of hay-
ing ing Iederai officer to breakfast and it
was perhaps well for Grant that his full
glory had not yet shone forth, or it is uues-
tionable whether he would have had any
breakfast at all that morning.
While Mrs Goodier fried the chicken and
her spouse set the table on the back porch
Grant discussed the situation with his adiu-
tant. However, their conference was some
what interfered with by the crying of the
infant some three months old, and was en-
during siege Of collie. At length Grant
went over to the crib and, taking the baby
IN mn ms = arms; walked up and down the room
n md vrxl>S
tie fellow quite forgot his pain and fell fast
asleep in the arms Of the man who was to
become Americas greatest military leader.
Wnen breakfast was over the doctor
MS civilian clothes, Grant doubtless at
tracted less attention than did his uniform
so ad1utant. On the way they were joined
ny group OF citizens, to whom an invita-
the camp. Among the number were two
Florida bellies. Lucy Young and Eliza
Dsanerel. a,a Here are couple of little reb-
e1s. colonel" said DR.. Gocdier, playfully.
them" ~
Il don't know but that is a good sueges-
ton" Grant replied. IT am very fond Of
taenes society and I miss their refining in
tnat ought to make you my prisoners? ?'
You haven't power enough in your whole
Gnfon army to arrest r.e,'' retorted Miss
Eliza IF yo1 like to be with ladies', 20
back to your wife and enjoy her society. 7
am sure we can get along without YOU
here" 'o1
Grant watched the snap of her black eyes
with smile of admiration and when thew
reached camp conducted his guests from
one object Of interest to another, explain
ing the working of the artillery and the de-
tails of the drill, while the band at hi.
orders, played Dixie's sweet strains.
That afternoon the regiment marched
back to the North Fork and resumed it's
kuard duty at the blockhouse, and there in
the tame occupation Of guarding a BODY Of
bridge builders the man of whom Lincoln
said, Wherever Grant is, things move"
found his first service in the civil war.
EMILE DE SCHELLE