The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-12-02

who wasn't raised on the Wabash, you know
an awful sight. AIebbe, if you'd actually
been born in Posey County you'd -knowed
enough to be a Jigadier- Brndle. Then I'd a
lost you for pard This IS great invention.
Why, it's softer and comfortabler than one of
mothers feather beds When I get out of
the army, I'm going to sleep on nothing but
cedar boughs y
There, you're at it again the Wabash
forever" returned Shorty, gOod-humoredly.
They raise the finest corn and cattle in the
world on the Wabash, I'll admit, and some
fairly good soldiers. But where'Il You get
any cedars there to make beds with? You'll
have to go back TO sleepin' on wheat straw
and corn-husks, with chicken feather pliers
But after the way You stood up to that rebel
Sergeant to-day I'll never say another word
about ager and milk-sick on the Wabash, and
I'll lick any other Teller that does There
wasn't speck of aver in your gizzard when
you ordered him forward, or you'd blow his
Southern Confederacy head off"
There was more ager there than you
thought, Shorty" 81 admitted softly II was
awfully scared, for there was six to us two,
and if that feller d had the right kind of
sand he'd "a jumped me at once. before
could get my gun up. The moment he begun
to palaver | knowed had him. But I'd "a
died in my tracks before I'd let him CO. and
/ knowed you would, too. You're the best
pard feler ever had"
And he reached over and took Shorty
rough hand and squeezed it affectionately
81 can bet on you every time, even when
don't think it's quite safe to bet on myself.
And, Shorty" he continued, with his eyes
kindling, 1T was worth all that we've gone
! through since we've been In the army, even
all that time in the rain, to have the Colonel
speak as he did to US before all the rest of the
| boys. I'd be willing to enlist for three years
more if father and mother and sisters, and
and-Annabel could have heard him. | tell
| you, war has some glorious things in it, after
ALL.
He sat there on his bed before the fire,
| with his feet curlsd up under him in the
comfortable way that it takes months of field
service to acquire, and gazed steadily into the
bank of glowing Goals They suffused his
| face and body with their generous warmth,
and helped lift his soul toward the skies. He
was much happier than he had ever been be-
fore in his life. The trials of the day before
were hardly more than far-away dream.
| The fears and anxieties of the coming battle
were forgotten. The ruddy embers became
radiant vista, which Pride and Hope and
| Joy uiieG WIFI all tflat lie Wanteu 10 see. lie
saw there the dear old home on the Wabash,
his father seated by the evening lamp read
ing the paper while his mother knit on the
other side of the table His sisters were
busy with some feminine trihes, and Annabel
had come in to learn the news. They would
hear of what he had done, and of the Colo
nel's words of praise before the regiment, and
| his fathers heart would glow with pride, and
| his mothers eyes suffuse with tears. And
Annabel-but it passed words, passed thought
almost, what she would say and think.
Just then tattoo rang out clear and musical
on the chill night air. The rafting military
good night " had never before had any
special charms for 81. But now he thought
it an unusually sweet composition.
declare" he said to Shorty, that
sheepskin band of our'n is improving
| They're getting to play real well. But
| ought to write few lines home before taps
Got any paper, Shortly"
Much paper you'll find in this regiment
after that rain, said Shorty contemptuously
as he knocked the ashes out of his pipe, an6
started to fall in for roll-call. Every NIT,
of paper anybody had was soaked to spit