Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-29

the lowing Of cattle, the neighing Of horses
and the shouts and yells of drivers. At first
Buster John and Sweetest Susan, looking
through the mist, could see nothing but a
dense and moving mass of animals and men.
Blu In a few moments they were surprised
to see that the foragers in blue were bring
ing back the horses and cattle they had
driven of. There was the old pony ambling
back to the lot; there were the carriage
horses, and there were the milk cows and
dry cattle. Accompanying the foragers, who
were on foot, were two or three mounted
men, and one of these wore a sword and was
giving orders.
The grandfather, attracted by the children's
cries of surprise. had come to the window,
and he stood there gazing at the spectacle
in a bewildered way. 1t was more surprising
to him than It was to the children. He could
make nothing Of 1t. He could only rub his
eyes and look. Here were his horses, his
mules. and his cattle coming back in a
hurry, driven by the soldiers In blue. He
went to the rear porch to see what would
be done with the stock, and there, to his
surprise. he saw a soldier on guard. The
soldier saluted the white-haired old man
with the utmost Difference, standing at pre-
pent arms until the gentleman, somewhat
rusty in military etiquette. had returned the
salute. Then the soldier resumed his march
back and forth.
Looking across to the lot, the old gentle
man saw Aaron showing the foragers where
to put the horses. the mules and the cows,
and with Aaron were two or three negroes
who had refused TO go off with the rest.
what is the trouble here?" the old gen.
tleman asked the soldier. Are 1--WE prison.
ers?"
s"No, sir" replied the soldier, laughing.
1--WE are here to protect this house from the
foragers and stragglers. l was thinkin'
Cump."
'Uncle who?"
''Cump, ~Cump-Uncle Tecump. We march
by that name
The white-haired gentleman. regarding
this as a soldiers Joke. went into the house,
The children, still at the window, called
his attention to a soldier marching back
and forth. Going on the front piazza. he
saw a soldier marching on that side, and but
for the garden fence, doubtless there would
have been a fourth soldier marching be-
hind the kitchen.
Later In the afternoon a squad Of riders
came galloping down the avenue. They drew
up their horses at the yard gate, and one Of
them a~lighted. throwing his reins to one Of
the others. The children ran into the front
parlor and peeped through the curtains. The
soldier who had come into the yard had
neither gun nor sword. He wore a heavy
overcoat, and his spurs ratified as he stamped
the mud and water from his boots. He re-
moved his oyercoat. lifted the knocker on the
door and let II fall twice. and then walked
back and forth on the piazza with a quick.
nervous step. He seemed to be restless and
impatient.
The children's grandfather went to the door
and threw II open. The soldier lifted his hat
with a gesture that was more familiar than
deferential.
'Come In. sir" said the grandfather. I'VE
do not keep the door closed even on our
enemies"
II am here" remarked the soldier curtly.
! have a message for this house"
HE had "A QulCk nQryOua NAV of talking.
and HE eyes ran from the carpet on the door