The National tribune., 1898-10-27

took the marker from the right guide of the
regiment, and presently came back waving
it proudly in the sunshine.
The old mans face frightened like May
| day, and then his faded eyes filled with joy
| full tears as he exclaimed:
Eyes, thank Almighty God, that's hit.
| That's the real flag o. my country. That's
the flag fit under with ole Jackson at New
Orleans | bless God that I've lived TO see
the day that hits come back"
| He took the flag in his hands, fondly sur
veyed its bright folds, and then ferventby
kissed it. Then he said TO his grand
daughter:
"Nance call the boys in, that they'uns
may see thar friends've come at last"
Nance seemed to need no second bidding.
She sped back to the porch, seized the long
tin horn and sent mellow. joyful notes float
ing far over the billowy hills until they were
caught up by the cliffs and echoed back in
subdued melody.
Don't be SURPRISED, gentlemen, at what
yo'uns'll see" said the old man.
Even while the bugle-like notes were still
ringing on the warm air, men began appear
ing from the most unexpected places. They
were all of the same type, differing only in
age from mere boys to middle aged men.
They were tall, raw-boned and stoop-
shouldered, with long, black hair, and tired,
sad eyes, which lighted up as they saw the
flag and the men around it. They were at
tired in rude homespun clothes, mostly
ragged and soiled, and each man carried
gun of some description.
They came in such numbers that 81 was
startled He drew his men together, and
looked anxously back to see how near the
regiment had come.
81 done tole yo'uns not t. be surprised"
said the cd man reassuringly; they'uns IS
all right-every one of 'em a true Union
man, ready and wilin' T. die for his country.
The half o. they'nns haint got in yit, but
they'll all come ill.,"
Yes, indeed" said one of the first of
them to come in, a pleasant-faced, shapely
youth, with the soft down of first beard
scantily fringing his face; and to whom
Nancy had sided up in an unmistakable
way. We'uns've bin a-layin' out in the
woods for weeks dodgin' ole Bragg's con-
scripters and a-waitin' for yo'uns. We
'uns've bin watchin' yo'uns all day yister
day, an all this mornin', tryin' t. make out
who yo'uns rayly wuz. Sometimes we'uns
thought yo'uns wuz Yankees, an then agin
that yo'uns WIZ the tail-end o. Bragg's
army. All we'uns IS a-gwine t. jine all
yo' uns, an fout for the Union"
bully boys-right sentiments" said
Shorty enthusiastically. There's room
for lot o. you in this very regiment, and
it's the best regiment in the army. Co. Q's
the best company in the regiment, and it
needs ID or 20 fine young fellerS like you to
fill up the holes made by Stone River and
Tennessee rain and mud"
cpl 90 long with ,you Mister Ossifer, if
you'll take me,o said the YOUTH very shyly
and softly to ST, whose appearance seemed to
attract him.
Certainly we'll take you," said ST, :" if
the Surgeon'll accept you, and I'll see that
you're sworn in ON the spot"
Nancy" said the youth diffiden tly to
the girl, who had stood by his side holding
his hand during the whole conversation, ''yo'
done promised yo'd marry me as soon's the
Yankee soldiers done come for sure, and
they 'uns've done come, millions of 'em.
Looly thar-milions of 'em."
He pointed to the distant hills, every road
over which was swarming with legions of
blue.
6 Yes, Nate" said the girl, reddening
chewing her bonnet-strings t. hide her CON
fusion, and stirring up the ground with the
toe Of her shoe, 81 reckon [ did promise
yo' I'd marry yo' when the Yankee soldiers
done come for sure, and thar does seem t. be
a right smart passed. of 'em done come al
ready, with a heapin' more on the way. But
yo' AMT gwine t. insist on me keepin' my
promise right of, air yo'? ?"
And she took a bigger bite at her bonnet
strings and dug deeper hole with the toe of
her Shoe
8 Yes, indeedy-right off-jest the minnit
kin find preacher" replied Nate. growing
holder and more iusistent as he felt his hap
piness approaching Pm a-gwine off t. the
war with this gentleman's company (inli-
eating 81 with wave of his disengaged
hand, and we must be spliced before / start
Say Mister Officer Ito Sill kin yo' tell me
whar kin find a preacher?"
ST, Shorty, and the rest were taking deep
interest in the affair. 1t was so fresh, so genu-
inc, so unconventional that it went straight
to all their hearts, and, besides made a
novel incident i'll their campaign They
were all on the side of the woud-be bride
groom ut once, and anxious for his success
The Adiutant had come up with tue order
that they should stop where they were, for
the regiment would go into camp Just below
for the day. So they had full leisure to at
tend to the matter. The Tenncsseans toolS |
only modified interest, for the presence OF
the Union army was Il much more engros ING
subject, and they preferred to stand and ; AIS |