The National tribune., 1898-07-14

81 and Shorty Go Out to Visit Mrs. Bolster.
Shorty sauntered thoughtfully back to the
tent. and on the way decided 10 tell ST the
whole occurrence, not even emitting the
deceit practiced.
He had to admit to himself that he was
unaccountably shaken up by The aiflir
ST was so deeply in crested in the revela-
tions that he forgot to blame Shorty's double
dealing
Never had my nerve so strained before, -
Shorty frankly admitted. AT their best,
women are cuTiouser than transmogriiied
hullaloos, and when n real cute one sets out
to Lornswoggle a man he might as well lay
down and give right up, for he haint no
earthly show. She gifts away with him every
time. and one to spare That there woman
IS got the devil in her bigger'n a sheep, and
she come higher maxim putty o your Uncle
Ephram than | ever dreamed of before. 1t
makes me shivery to think about it. "
. don't care if she's more devils in her
than the Gadarene swine, she must be stopped
at once, " said ST. his patriotic zeal flaming
up. ''Sbe's doin' more mischief than q
whole regiment o. rebels, and must be
busted Immediately. We've got to stop
her.
But just how are we gon' to stop her 5"
Shorty asked. There was u weak unreadiness
in Shorty's tones that made ST look at him in
surprise. Never before, in any emergency,
had thsre been the slightest shade of such a
thing in his bold, seli-relant partners voice.
7 ''Pd rather tackle any two men there are in
the Southern Confederacy, than that woman
said Shorty. Il believe she put a spell on
me-"
"Le's go up and talk to Capt McGilli-
II - Al.
was the last thing that either of them would
have thought Of doing. Their usual diSpo-
sition was to 90 ahead and settle the problem
before them in their own way, and report
about it afterward. But Sho ty was clearly
demoralized.
Capt. McGillicuddy listened very gravely
to their story.
g Evidently that old hen his nest of bad
dangerous men, which has to be broken up
he said. 1--WE can get the whole raft If we
so about it in the right way, but we've got
to be mighty smart III dealing with them, OF
they'll fly the coop, and leave the laugh on
us. You say she's coming back tomorrow? y
Yes" said Shorty, with a pereeptible
shivcr.
We'll want you to fall right in with all
her plans both Of You Pretend to be anx-
ious to desert, or anything else that she may
propose Go back lone with Eer. / shall
watch yoa carefully, but without seeming to,
aad follow you with a squad tig enoagh to
take care of anything that may be out there.
TO back TO yOur tent now. and think it all
over, and arrange some signal TO let me know
when you want me TO jump the outfit
The boys went back to their tent, and spent
an hour i'll anxious consideration of their
plans. 81 saw the opportunity to render a
great service, and WAS eager to perform it,
but lie firmly refused to tell any lies to the
woman, or those around her. He would not
say that he was tired of the service and wanted
TO desert; he woud not pretend liking for
the Southern Conederacy or the rebels, nor
hatred to his own people. lie would do
nothing hut go along, share all the dangers
with Shorty, and be ready at the moment to
cooperate III breaking up the gang.
Some folks's so burned straight that they
lean over backwards said Shorty, impati-
emily. What in thunder does it amount to
what you tell these ornery gallinippers
They Ii lie TO you as fast as a hoss kin trot.
There's no devilment they won't do, and there
kin be ncthin wrong iii anything you kin dc
and say to them"
Everybody settles some things for him
self, said the Interchangeable ST. Il believe
them folks are as bad as they kin be made
believe every one o. em ought to be killed,
and if it wuz orders to kill em Id kill without
turnin' q hair. Bat | jest simply won't lie
TO nobody, L don't care who he is. I'll stand