The National tribune., 1898-12-22

where at our craeker-line. We only saved
two bridges tonight by the greatest luck.
You'll have to 90 back to Nashville by the
next train,
20, Mister Lootenant,r pleaded the
Deacon, with drops of sweat on his brow.
Please let me go on. Ny only son lays
there IN Chattanooga, a-dyin, for all know.
| He's bin a good soldier Ask ANYBODY that
knows the 200th Injianny, and they'll tell
you that there amt no better soldier in the
regiment than Corporal ST KlegQ. You've q
father yourself. Think how he'd feel if YOU
was layin' in a hospital at the pint o. death,
and him not able to git to you. You'll let
me 60 on. know You will. 1t amt in you
/ to refuse -
feel awful sorry for you, sir" said the
Lieutenant, much moved. And if had it
| IN my power YOU should go. But have got
my orders, and | must obey them. / mustn't
| allow anybody not actually belonging to the
army to pass on across the river on the train"
ii walk every step o. the way, # You'll
let me go on" said the Deacon.
tell you what you might do, ~ said the
Lieutenant suggestiyely. at isn't great
ways over the mountains to Chattanooga.
There's herd Of cattle starting over there.
The Lieutenant In charge is a friend of mine.
III speak to him to let you go along as a
helper It'll be something of walk for
you, but it's the best / can do. You'll get
| in there sometime Tomorrow
pint out your friend to me- and let me
go as quick as kim
All right, z" said the Lieutenant in charge
OF the herd, when the circumstances were
explained 10 him. Free passes over nv
| road to Chattanooga are barred Everybody
has to work his way. But I'll see that YOU
get there, if Joe Wheeler's cavalry don't in
| teriere. We are going over in the dark to
avoid Them You can put your carpet-bag
in that wagon there. Report TO the Herd
Boss there
| You look like man of sense" said the
Herd-Boss, looking him over, and handing
him hickory CAD. 'And I believe you're
all right. I'm goin' to put you at the head,
Just behind the guide Keep your eye
peeled for rebel cavalry and bushwhaekers.
and stop and whistle for me if you see any,
thing suspicious"
| 1t was slow, toilsome work urging the
numbering cattle along over the steep, tortu-
Gus mountain paths. Naturally, the nim-
best friskiest steers got to the front, and
! they were a sore trial to the Deacon, to re-
strain them to the line of march, and keep
! them from straying off and getting lost.
| Of course, a Deacon in the Baptist Church
could not swear under any provocation, but
| the way he remarked on the conduct of some
| of the critters" as ''dumbed." ICON
| founded, and "tormented," had almost as
vicious ring as tie profuse profanity of his
fellow-herdeTs
Late in the afternoon the tired-out herd
was halted in a creek bottom near Chatta-
nooga. The patient animals lay down, and
the weary foOt-sOre Deacon His cIothas
covered with burs, his hands and face
scanned with bloody scratches, leaned on his
frayed CAD and looked around over the
wilderness of tents, cabins. trains, and inter-
minable lines of breastworks and forts.
'Mr. Klegg." said the Herd-Boss coming
toward him, you've done your duty, and
you've done it we'll 1 don't know how I
could've ever got this lot through but for
your help. Here's your carpet-sack, and
here's haversack o. rations I've put up for
you Take mighty good care Of it, for you'll
need every cracker. That lot o. tents you
see over there, with yaller flag flynn over
EN-, is general hospital. Mebbe you'll find
your son in there"
The Deacon walked straight to the nearest
tent, lifted the flap and inquired:
Does anybody here know where there is
boy named 81 Klegg, of Co. Q, 20Oth Iniian-
ny Volunteers?
Pap is that you?" said a weak voice in
the far corner.
Great, jumpin' Jehosephat, the Deaconr'
calculated tall, skeleton of man, who was
holding cup of coffee TO Sis lips
Great Goodness, Shorty" said the
Deacon, is that you?"
What's left o. me-" answered Shorty.
Ito be cen.ia.ed)