The National tribune., 1899-01-19

men about the army who were too old an(
set III their ideas to learn army ways. III,
mutteTed 10 himself
. If he succeeds in eittin' that boss outer
camp agin, I'll expect TO see the ak o. my
nec,, or something else quite as wonderful
TIE Deacon finally succeeded in getting Z
couple of ears Of corn and handful of fodder
| or the b. rse's supper, and it was decided
that lie should watch Linn the first part OF
f! the night, and the Deacon from thence till
morning.
As the Deacon pondered over the matter
N the early morning hours, he saw that his
only chance of getting the horse back was to
start with him before daylight revealed him
to the men in camp.
Ill drive him we'll outside our lines,
and as near to the house rs / think it prudent
to 90, and then turn him leose,' he said to
himself "lf he's got the sense O the
horses up North he'll go straight home. and
then my conscience will he clear. If he
doa't, i'ii have done all l could. The Lord
doa' task unreasonable things of us, even in
atoaemcnt. !"
So he cooked as gool breakfast for the
boys as he coull prepare from his materials,
woke up Shorty and put it in his charge, ard
an hour before daybreak turned the horse's
head toward the PoHtoon bridge, and started
him ON lively trot
He had only fairly started when stern
voice called out to him from large tent:
fierc, you, stop that trotting. What do
you mean? Dent you know that it's
strictly against orders to trot horses in their
present conditiol?n
Excuse me- Captain said tie Deacon,
81 -
BLANK your Captain" roared the voice,
. I'fa no Captain"
. meant Major" said the Deacon depre-
catingly.
g 10 thunder with your Majors, you igno-
rant fool You -
u beg your pardon Colonel. / was -
What's the matter with you, you igno-
ramus?" roared TIE voice, more Indignantly
than ever. = Don't you know Brigade Head
quarters when you see them? Don't yon
know your own officers when you hear their
voices? 90
''Rayly, General, said the Deacon, much
disturbed, - didn't mean to insult you.
Pm only q citizen, and q stranger in the
camp, ard -
A citizen and stranger" echoed the
voice. What are you doing in here, any
way? Orderly, bring that man in here till
see him."
The Orderly started to obey, when a regi-
ment which had been ordered TO report at
Headquarters came up at quick step, halted,
and ordered arms with much CHATTER. The
frightened horse bounded off down the road.
with the Deacon saving on the lines and
trying to stop him.
He only slowed down when he came M
near corral of other horses, to which he
turned for companionship and sympathy
Frosty mornin' makes that boss purity
risky" said the Deacon, us lie readjusted
! is hat, and got himself in shape after his
l0lting. Lucky, though ] didn't like
that old Generals voice. Pm afraid lie bad
it in for me, and would We mhdc me Trouble
for lowerin' his dignity by caaIin' him Capt
ain. Big officers are awfully retchy."
g Here, who are you? And wnat are you
dom out there?" came the stern inquiry
from the dark depths of one of the sheds.
Excuse me, General" answered the
Deacon hastily, Il " -
General? Who are you calm General,
you fool ?? Don't try 10 be funny with me.
You know Pm no General"
. | meant Colonel, " the Deacon started to
explain.
THE blazes you did. You expect Col
oncls to run hos5-corrals, and manage mule
clearinghouse, do you? Stop your blim-
med nonsense and answer myiguestions."
Major. | was tryin' to say" -
I" I'll Major you when / CIT my boots On
and git out there. Don't think TO shut my
eye up calm me big titles
But, Captain, F." -
:" Pm no Captain, neither. Pm plain Jim
Crimmins, Quartermaster-Sersea nt, in charge
o. this corral, that you're sDeakin' around
Pm COMM out there to break every bone in