The National tribune., 1898-02-03

The Conductor climbed into the wagon and
looked carefully through
mo, it's not there, he said ruefully.
Then the Commissary' wrath famed out
There, confound YOU, you are mt it again,
You internal civilian, slandering and abusing
men who are fighting for their country
Charging them with stealing your old caboose-
door Think of your dis@raceful impudence
vilifying men who are shedding their blood
for their country by such shameless charges
Whatd they want with your old car-door?
Get away from here before lose my temper
and do you damage"
The Conductor walked away muttering
Blasted theying whelps o. soldiers,
what'll they steal next? Lost all my train
tools at Iarergne, swiped the bedding at
Smyrna, got away with our clothes and
dishes at Antioch, stole stove and lanterns at
OveralPs Crick, and now they've begun on
the ears. III he lucky to have enough wheels
left on the engine TO run her back to Nash
vile"
The Commissary continued to fume about
the disgracetul charges brought against his
men until they reached camp. I he wagon
was unloaded and the squad dismissed.
As ST came up to the 'house" he saw
Shorty busily engaged in hanging the caboose
door by means of hinges which he had inn
proyised from some boot-tops.
why, Shorty, gasped ST, how did you
git away with it?"
Easy enough answered his partner
:" saw you fellers gittin' very busy over
them pork barrels, an all the train hands
helpin you. / meandered back to the ca
boose, gently lifted the back door often its
hinges, slipped down into the weeds in the
ditch an kept under cover o them till was
out o sight Say, isn'ti just q bully door,"
That afternoon 81 and Shorty walked over
to where detail of men We're at work build
ing bridge across Stone River, under the
direction of a Lieutenant of the Pioneers.
They had an idea that an opportunity might
occur there to pick up something that would
add to their home comforts. The Lieutenant
was bustling about, hurrying the completion
of the work.before night. AS the detail was
made up of squads from various regiments,
he was not acquainted with the men, and
had much difficulty in assigning them to the
work that would suit them best He came
up to ST, who still Wore the artillery Ser
geant's overcoat nc had picked up during the
battle, and said sharply
Here, Sergeant, don't stand around doing
nothing. Set the men good example by
pitching in lively There's plenty to do for
he'll dig down that bank, and roll those big
stones into the fill Hold on; I've thought
of something else. / want reliable man TO
send over for some lumber. Put one Of your
men on that wagon there, and GO with him,
and take this letter to Capt Billings, over at
the sawmii. It's requisition for load of
lumber Avoid the camps as much as posi-
BILE on your way back, or they'll steal every
inch away from you"
Very good, sir" said 81, saluting.
" Shorty, jump on the wagon there, and
getler up the lines"
Shorty very Obediently took his place on
the seat of the two-horse wagon employed by
the Pioneers for their jobs.
Hurry up" eujoined the Lieutenant;
g we need those boards at once"
Very good, sir" replied Si, salutiDg.
This is what | call puddin," said
Shorty, oracularly, as they drove away.
- The Lord always kin be trusted to help the
deseryin, if the deseryin' only keep their
eyes peeled for His p'inters This comes from
not workin' yesterday and goin' to church. "
They drove down to the sawmill, delivered
their requisition, and had their wagon loaded
with newiy-sawn plank. The Captain had
the planks carefully counted, the number
and feet entered upon his record, and set
forth upon the return which he gave 81 to be
delivered to the Lieutenant of Pioneers.
Too dod-gasted much book-keepin' in
this army" remarked ST, rather discon-
solately, and he put the paper in his blouse
pocket, and they drove away. Wastes en-
tirely too much valuable time. Whatd he
count them boards for? Looked like he
suspicioned US. How are we going to git
away with any o them?"
6 L wouldn't have that mans suspicious
mind for anything" answered Shorty. : He
don't trust nobody. All the same, we're
goin' to have enough boards for our floor"
. How are we goin' to manage it g? " asked
ST.
= Lots o. ways. There's no need o your
carryin' that paper back to the LOOtenant l
might pick up several hundred feet and sneak
away without your KNOWN it. Say "-as n
bright idea struck him" What's the use o.
goin' back to the 10 3tenant at all? Neither
of us belongs TO his detail. He don't know