The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-28

adjoining camps had been gathered there
with Grounding, Pilgarlic, and simila
specimens of the white Transfers anon:
them and leading them on
Seated on log were three negroes, ont
saving on an old fiddle. one picking banjo
and one playing the bones. Two negroe:
were in the center of ring dancing, while
the others patted ''Juba.'' All were more OF
less intoxicated. Grounding and Pilgarlit
were endeavoring to get up a fight between
Abraham Lincoln and another stalwart
stupid negro, and were plying them with
whisky from q canteen and egging them on
with words.
The Deacon strobe up to Grounding, and
catching him by the arm demanded sternly
what are you doing, you miserable
scoundrel? Stop it at once"
Grounding, who had drunk considerably
himself, and was pot-valiant, shook him of
roughly, saying:
"G'way from here, you dumbed citizen.
This haint none O. your bizniss. Go back to
your haymow, and leave soldiers alone"
The Deacon began divesting himself of his
burden to prepare for action, but before he
could do SO Shorty rushed in, gave Ground
hog vigorous kick, and he and ST dispersed
the rest of the crowd in hurry with sharp
cuffs upon all that they could reach. The
meeting broke up without motion to adj
journ.
The Deacon caught Abraham Lincoln by
the collar and shook him vigorously
You black rascal, y he said what We you
bin up to?''
Didn't spect you back so soon, Boss. -
gasped the negro. Said you wouldn't be
back till ter-morrer."
No matter when you expected us back !"
said the Deacon, shaking him still harder,
while 81 winked meaningly at Shorty.
What dye mean by sich capeIs as this?
You've bin a-drinkin' likker, you brute"
'Cel'bratun my freedom gasped the
negro. Grounding done tole me to-"
''I'd like to celebrate his razzled head often
him" exploded the Deacon ''I'll welt him
into dog's-meat hash if kin lay my hands on
him. He's too mean and wuthless to even
associate with mules. If I'd dog on my
place as ornery as he is I'd give him button
before night. He's not content with bein' q
skunk himself, he wants to drag everybody
else down to his level. Learnin' you to drink
whisky and fight as soon as you're ont %
bondage. Next thing he'll be learnin' you to
steal sheep and vote for Vallandigham I'd
like to put a stone around his neck and feed
him to the catfish
There was something so strange and earnest
about the DeacOn'S wrath that it impressed
the negro more than any of the most terrible
exhibitions of wrath that he had seen his
master make. He covered down, and began
crying in a maudlin way and begging
Pray God, Boss, don't be so hard on a
poor nigser."
81, who had learned something more of the
slave nature than his father. ended the I'M
pleasant scene by giving Abraham Lincoln
sharp slap across the hips with piece of
clapboard and ordering:
Pick up that camp kittle, go to the spring
and fill it, and git back here in short meter"
The blow came to the negro as welcome
relief 1t was something that he could
understand. He sprang to his feet, grinned,
snatched up the camp-kettle, and ran to the
spring.
- must get that man away from here
without delay" said the Deacon. ''The in
fiuences here are awful. They'll ruin him.
lie II lose ms soul if he stays here. I'll
start home with him tomorrow.
He'll do worse'n lose his SOUL" grumbled
Shorty, who had been looking over the
provisions. He'll lose the top of his woolly
head if he brings another gang o. coons
around here to eat us out o. house and home
I'll be gosh-durned if don't believe they've
ct up even all the salt and soap. There amt |
a crumb left of anything Talk about losin'
his soul I'd give six bits for something to
make him lose his appetite"
''Ill take him home tomorrow, reit-
Grated the Deacon. 81 raised over 'leven |
hundred bushels o. corn last year, bout 500 |
o. wheat, and just an even ton o pork. l |
Kin feed him awhile, anyway but 1 don't |
know as I'd chance two of him."
What'll you do if you have him and the |
srasshoppers the same year, Pap? 2" inquired
ST.
That night the Deacon began his prepara-
ions for returning home. He had gathered |
up many relics from the battlefield to dis
tribute among his friends at home. and deco
,ate the family mantel-piece. There were
fragments of exploded shells, some canister
| broken bayonet, a smashed musket, a solid
l2-pound shot, quart or more of battered
bullets picked up in his walks over the scenes
II the heavy fighting
Looks us If you were goin' into the junk
business, Pap" commented ST, as the store
Tas gathered ON the floor.