The National tribune., 1899-05-04
man who was quietly waikiki

man who was quietly walking OF As they
ran they threw stones, which went with
astonishing precision and force. One Of them
struck the man on the head and felled him
Then the boys jumped on him, and began
pounding and kicking him. 81 and Shorty
came up, pushed off the boys and pulled the
man to his feet. He was terrified at the on
set which had been made upon him, and
could not understand its reason
What've 1 done?" he gasped. "What're
all yo'uns weltin' mo for? 1 haint no rebel
I've done TUX the oath of allegiance long
ago."
Now there1l be hangin' sure" said
Harry, in eager expectancy.
"What'd you do to them boys back there q"
demanded 81.
| Didn't do nothin' to 'em Sw'ar to God
Almighty didn't"
"That telegraph pole will be just the thing
to hang him on" suggested Harry to Gid.
"We could put him on fiat car, and push
the car out from under him. Tll look around
for rope Gid, and you git ready to climb
the pole"
"He did do something to 'em, sargdnt, u
said Gid Macka1. "I seen him givin' 'em
something"
"'Twas only little mite O. terbacker, {"
/ VIC Woh "a piaAuC0s lucy uuS Stlu bu3y u1lS
was mouty hongry and wanted T. know if I'd
anything t. eat. I hadn't nothing but I
done had little terbacker, which tole 'sm' d
take away the hongry feelin', and gin each
o. they'uns a leetle chaw."
81 shouldn't wonder but he's tellip' the
TRUTH" Shorty whispered to ST. Leh take
him back there and see."
Coming back to the platform they found
the boys there recovering, but still very weak
and pale. They confirmed the story about
the tobacco. Shorty examined tho rest of
the tobacco in the mans possession, with the
practiced taste Of . connoisseur, found it
strong black plug, just the thing 70 upset
green boy who took it on an empty stomach,
cut off Q liberal chew for himself, aad dis
missed the man with kick.
"Now, les form agin and march b break
fast Great Scott, how hungry am" said
ST. "Tention. Fall in 'cordin' to size.
Single rank"
"What's size got to do with gittin' break
fast?" complained Harry Josiyn, who had
another grievance, now that he had again
been disappointed in hanging a guerrilla.
Biggest boys IL git there first, and get the
most to eat. The rest of US need Just as
much as they do"
"Silence in the ranks" commanded
Shorty, snappishly. Don't fool around.
Git into your place and stay there. We want
breakfast some time to-day.
Shorty lined up tho boys in hurry, and
81 commanded.
"Right dress! Come out little there on
the left! Steady Without doublin, right
face !"
squad of Provost-Guards came up at a
double-quick, deployed, surrounded the
squad, and began punching the boys together
rather roughly, using the butts Of their
muskets.
"What does this mean?" 81 asked
angrily of the Lieutenant in command.
"It means that you and your precious
gang have got to go down to Provo Head
quarters at once" answered the Lieutenant
And no words about 1t. Forward, march,
now"
"But you've got no business to interfere
with me-" protested ST. "Tve got my
orders to take this squad O. recruits TO my
regiment, and I'm doin' it. I'm goin' to
put 'em on the cars as soon 3 / kin git
breakfast for 'em, aud start for Chattanoogy."
"Well, why didn't you get breakfast for
them, and put them on the cars, peaceably
and quietly, without letting them riot
around and kill citizens, and do all manner
of devilment. You have fine account to
settle"
But they hain't killed no citizen, They
baint bin riotin' around, and amt a-goin'
with you. You've no right, 1 tell you, to
interfere with me-"
"Well, you just will go with me, and no
more ehinning."
A Major, attracted by the alteration, rode
up and asked what was the matter.
"WoTd came to Headquarters" explained
the Lieutenant, that 8 squad of recruits
were rioting, and had killed citizen, and
was sent down here on the run to stop 1t and
arrest the men. This Sergeant, who seems
to be In command, refuses to go with me-"
al tell you, Major" said ST. who recog-
nized the officer rs belonging to his brigade, |
there was nobody killed, or even badly
hurt. These littls roosters got up school |
yard scrap, all about mistake, 10 was all |