The National tribune., 1898-02-24

shoulder, as he was about to make move,
and said:
Don't do that You'll open your king
row Move"
Shorty wa alert on the instant.
''Shut up" he commanded 'You've no
business talkin'; / told you when you come in,
you weren't allowed TO say nothin'."
Excuse me" said the General; I" quite
forgot"
''Well. see that you don't forgit agin,"
growled Shorty. We've got quite enough
talent in the game already. We don't want
no more 10 come in"
Arain the game proceeded in intent silence
for some minutes Then 81 called out:
Hold on; YOU can't Jump backwards with
that man That amt no king"
8 say it is king" said Billings. got
him into the row half an hour ago, and crown
ed him. You knocked the crown off when
| You moved -
Il know better" asserted Shorty. "Tve
been watching that piece right along, and
he's never been nearer the king-row than he
is this minute"
hot discussion ensued. The General
forgot himself and joined In In his usual
positive, authoritative way.
II say the man had been crowned. | saw
him crowned and the crown aiterward
Knocked off There's the crown by the side
there"
| Shorty's wrath rose. 81 told you when
You come in here" he said sharply, mot to
mix into this game You've got no business
in it. Keep your advice till it's asked for, or
git out o. the tent. If you don't git out III
put you out"
Be careful, my man." said the General,
| speaking in his usual way. You are talk
ing to an officer"
% don't care if you are Lieutenant OF a
| Captain, even," 81 chimed in you have
no business mixing in quiet little game O.
| checkers between enlisted men,"
| Il am more than a Captain" said the
General, opening his overcoat slightly, to show
| his double row of buttons
Bein' Major or Colonel don't make it
much better" said Si, obdurately, but with
much more respect.
'Im higher than Colonel" said the
General, amusedly, and opening his overcoat
a little farther.
| Excuse rs, General, :" they all murmured,
| rising to their feet, and taking the position
of soldier
| 'You don t command our brigade dOyou?"
said Shorty, trying to get better view OF the
| face
81 command this brigade. and several
| Others, said the General, smilingly enjoying
| their confusion.
Lord, Major-General commanding a
corps' gasped poor Shorty, backing up with
| the rest into line and saluting with the pro-
foundest respect.
''Still higher" laughed the General, step
| ping forward to where the light fell full on
| his face. ''Tm Maj. Gen. Rosecrans, COM
mandng this army But don't be disturbed.
| You've done nothing You are all entitled
| to your opinions, free American citizens;
! but | will insist that that man had been IN
the king row, and should be crowned. But
you settle that among yourselves.
g | merely dropped i'll to compliment you
on the skill you have shown in building your
house and its comfort. I'm glad to find that
it looks even better inside than out. l know
| that you are good soldiers from the way you
take care of yourselves. But so fine house
ought to have better checker-board than a
barrel-head, with grains of corn iOr men.
| Who are the owners OF the house?
Me and him." said Shorty, indicating
| himself and ST.
Every good" said the General, both OF
you report at my Headquarters tomorrow
| morning at 10 o'clock Good night"
Three cheers and tiger for Old Rosey,
yelled Shorty, as soon as he could get his
scattered wits together enough to say word.
| They gave three such rOusing cheers that
| the rest of Co. @ came running out of their
tents, and joined in cheering, as fast as the
| news could be communicated to them.
The next morning squad of prisoners was
| being conducted toward Army Headquarters.
| At their head walked stout, middle-aged
IT.