The National tribune., 1898-11-17

that I'd let fetch that gun. don't know
now of another man in the United States thai
I'd trust it with That ERE gun is plum full
of other folks's money"
Goodness, is that so ?" said the Deacon
handling the musket with increased respect
"I've heard o. bar'l O. money, but never
supposed that it was a gun-bar'l."
"And more'n that" continued Shorty,
there's fsll-grown cartridge below that
might shoot a war-widew's new dress and
shoes for the children off into tho neon"
Goodness gracious !" calculated the
Deacon, holding out the gun as he did ST the
first time that interesting infant was placed
in his hands, "handlin' other people,
moneys always ticklish business, but this's
leetle the ticklishest / ever heard eff
"Tbats what's bin wearin' me down to
the bone" responded Shorty soberly, and as
they reached the porch he explained the
situation to the Deacon, who took the gun in
the house, and laid it carefully On bed in
the ''spare room"
Girls, you're smotherin' me Let MP,
won't you? Mandy, you dabbed that wet
dishcloth right in my eye then. Maria, l
can't talk or even breathe with your arm
over my windpipe. You, dear mother, I'll
pick you up and carry you into the house, if
you'll let me-" 81 was trying to say. ="
can't answer all your questions at once,
specially when you're shuttin' off my breath
an dinnin' my ears till L can't hear myself
Think
Les carry your things up, ST." said
Maria, after 81 had gotten them Gained down
little. You must be awful tired'
81 saw that this would be the best way to
keep the girls off, while he devoted his at
tention to his mother. He handed his gun
and belt to Maria, who marched on ahead,
triumphantly waving her disll-towel, as a
gonfalon of victory, while she cheered for the
Union in her sweet cOntralto. Mandy took
possession of his blanket roll and hayersack,
while ST almost carried his fearful mother on
to the porch. There her housewifely in
stinct at once asserted itself
Il know you and your friend there must
jest be starvin'," she said, gathering herself
up. g | never knOwed when you wasn't, if
you'd bin an hour from the table"
''Shorty's wOrsen me" said ST with a
grin. But | haven't introduced him yit
Mother, girls, this is Shorty, my pardner, and
the best pardner a Teller ever had"
"Glad to know you, Mr. Shorty" said
they, shaking his hand. We've heard so
much of you that we feel that we've knowed
you all along"
drop the Mister, then" said Shorty.
"Tm plain Shorty to everybody until Pm
out o the army. Pve heard so much of you
that 1 feel, too, that I've bin acquainted with
you all my life"
"Girls," commanded the mother, "come
on and let's git the boys something to eat"
"No, mother" pleaded ST, holding fast to
her hand. Let the girls do it. l want you
to sit here and talk to me-"
No, ST." answered the mother kissing
him again, and releasing her hand, 81
must do it myself. l must cook your supper
for you. The girls won't do it half well
enough
She hustled away to the kitchen, and 81
and Shorty explained to the Deacon the cir
cumstances of their visit and that they must
leave by the next train going east in order
to keep their promise to Lieut. Bowersox
The Deacon Immediately started Abraham
Lincoln and the boy on saddle-horses to bring
in the neighbors to see the boys, and get the
money that had been sent them. They went
into an inner room, carefully blinded the
windows, and began to draw out the money
from various pockets, cartridge-boxes, and
other receptacles about their persons.
All drew a long breath of relief when,
counting that in Shorty's gun, every dollar
was found to be safe.
But how in time you're ever goin' to git
that money out o. that gun beats me, /" said
the Deacon, picking up the musket, and
gazing obviously into the muzzle. 1T was
a mighty smart thing to do down at the front,
but what are you going to do now, when you
want to give the money to the people it be.
longs to?"
ut certainly don't seem as smart as it did
that night on the banks O. the Tennessee,
Shorty admitted as he fixed his bullet-screw
vi the end Of his rammer, but Pm goin' to