The National tribune., 1898-03-17

large portion OF middle tennessee
into parapet, bastion and casemate lunet,
curtain, covered way and gorge, according
to the system of Vauban. The 200th
Ind had to do its unwilling share of this,
| and ST and Shorty worked off some of
their superintendent energy with pick and
shovel. They would come back at night
tired. muddy and mad They would be
| ready to quarrel with and abuse everybody
and everything from President Lincoln down
| to the Commissary-Sergeant and the last
| issue Of picked beef and bread-especially
| the Commissary- Sergeant and the rations
| The good Deacon sorrowed over these mani
festations. He was intensely loyal. He
| wanted to see the soldiers satisfied with their
officers and the provisions made for their
| comfort
| He would get up a good dinner for the
| boys, which would soothe their ruffled tenn
| pers and make them more satisfied with their
| lot.
| He began a labored planning of the feast.
| He looked over the larder, and found there
pork, corned beef potatoes, beans, coffee,
| brown sugar and bareback.
Good, substantial vttels, that stick to
the ribs" he muttered to himself ''and Pll
fix up a good mess o. them. But the boys
| ought to have something of treat once in
while, and | must think up some way to give
it to 'em."
He pondered over the problem as he care
fully cleaned the beans, and set them to boil
ing in q kettle over the fire. He washed
some potatoes to put in the ashes and roast
But these were commonplace viands. He
wanted something that would be Injuries
Il recollect," he said to himself finally,
seem a little store, which some feller's set
up u little ways from here. It's board
shanty. and | expect he's got a lot o. things
in it that the boys ID like, for there's nearly
always big crowd around it. I'll jest fasten
up the house. and walk over there while the
beans is a seethin', and see if | can't pick up
something rell good to eat"
He made his way through the crowd, which
seemed to him to smell of whisky, until he
came to the shelf across the front, and took q
look at the stock. 1t seemed almost wholly
made up of canned goods, and boxes of half
Spanish cigars, and playing cards.
Don't seem to be much Of store, after
all, y soiloquized the Deacon, after he had
surveyed the display. 'Aint patchin' to
Oh. Taylor's. Don see anything very invitin'
here Q, yes, there's a cheese. Say, Mister,
81 me about four pounds o. that there
cheese
"Pl.mk down your 81 fust, ole man." re-
sponded the storekeeper. This is 4 cash
store, cash in advance, every time. Short
credits make long friends. Hand me over
your money, ana III hand you over the
cheese"
Land o. Goshen, four bits pound for
cheese, gasped the Deacon. 'Why. / kin cit
the best full-cream cheese at home for q bit a
pound"
Why don't you buy your cheese at home
then, ole man." replied the storekeeper.
. You'd make money, if you didn't have to
pay freight to Murfreesboro. Guess you don't
know much about gettin' goods down to the
front But haint no time to argy with you.
If YOU don't want to buy. step back, and make
room for some one that does. Business is
lively this mornn' I ime is money. Small
profits and quick returns, you know. No
time to fool with loafers who only look on and
ask questions"
Strange way for a Storekeeper to act,"
muttered the Deacon. Must've bin brung
up in ii Land Office. He couldn't keep store
III Posey County week. They wouldn't
stand his sass. +" Then aloud: . You may gi'
me two pounds O. cheese"
- Well, why don't you plank down the
rnno.p said the storekeeper impatiently.
Put up your money fu-t, and then you'll git
the goods. This amt no credit concern with
stay law attachment. Cash in advance saves
Ok-keeping.'
We'll, | DECLARE" muttered the Deacon,
as he fshed greenback out Of IL leather
pocket-book fastened with Il long strap
This is the first time l ever had to pay for
things before got 'em.
Never went to u circus, then, ole man.
or run .or Office, y replied the storekeeper and
his humor was rewarded with a roar OF laugh
ter. Anything else? Speak quick or step
back"
III take a can o them preserved peaches
and "a quart jug o that genuine Injianny
maple molaSSes, said the Deacon deSper-
ately, naming two articles which seemed
much in demand.
''All right; s. for the peaches, and 81 more
for the molasse5 !"
Sakes alive!" calculated the Deacon, pro-
ducing the strapped pocket-book again.
Five dollars gone, and precious little to
show for it,"
He took his jug and his can, and started
back to the cabin. A couple of hundred
yards away he met q squad of armed men
marching toward the store, under the COM
mand OF a Lieutenant. He stepped to one
side to let them pass, but the Lieutenant
halted them, aud asked authoritatiyely:
What have you got there, sir?
Jest some things I've been buyins for the
Indeed! Very likely" remarked the
Lieutenant sarcastically. He struck the jug
SO sharply with his sword that it was broken,
and the air was filled with powerful odor |
of whisky. The liquor splashed over the
Deacon's trousers and wet them through.
The expression of anger on his face gave way
to one of horror He had always been one
of the most rigid of Temperance men, and |
fairly loathed whisky in all shapes and uses. |
Just az | supposed, you old vagabond," |
said the Lieutenant, contemptiousiy. down |
here sneaking whisky into camp. Well stop |
that mighty sudden"
He Knocked the can of peaches out of the |
Deacon's arms and ran his sword into it. A |
gush of whisky spurted out. The Sergeant
took the package of cheese away and broke it
open, revealing small flask OF liquor.
The idea of man of your age being |
engaged in such business" said the Lieu
tenant Indignantly. you ought to be |
helping to keep the men of the army sober,
instead of corrupting them to their own
great injury. You are doing them more |
harm than the rebes.'
The Deacon was too astOnished and angry
to reply. Words utterly failed him in such |
a crisis
Take charge of him, Corporal COM
the Lieutenant. Put him in the
guardhouse till tomorrow when we'll drum