The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-12-01

an il it's the Yanks mebby they'll
find that fellow in the house down
yonder and carry him to hospital
somewhere. Hope So"
"a Yank" said No. I. whats the
matter with him?"
Smallpox. He's an awful sight.
All broke out and everything"
"YOu saw him?"
"Yep l was pressed back and ran
in to shoot from behind the door. an
when the scrimmage was over found
the house was Inhabited by Mr.. Yank.
Then l stepped out here to get help,
and here am"
"Say, kid?"
"Well?' They're comm up lively.
Hear 'cm? Clippety clap, clippcty
clap."
"Been vaccinated?" asked No. 7.
"Guess so. Do you s'pose these fel-
lows II look after sick Yankee?"
"Not much. You don't catch vete-
rams dsturbin' small pox. They'll
give it room for recoil, an that's just
what you want to do. Take my ad-
vice, an don't you hinder smallpox
till smallpox binders you. It's bad
for sodgers-specially Confeds. My
bones, but this here coffin amt satin
lined! The upholstery pinches. See
anyone comin'?"
Not yet. But, Jimmie wouldn't it
be cowardly to leave sick man when
one could just as easy carry him to
hospital somewhere"
No. drew a sharp breath of pain
The pressure of the log was becoming
unbearab.e. "rhere's cOwardly and
foolhardy," he replied. "Them's two
things. Hark"
The approaching soldiers were sing
ing a gay cavalry ballad.
There's only one man that goes
pipin' round in broad daylight, cried
No. I eagerly. "That's General Stuart
comm to reinforce old StOnewaIl's
wing" His voice dropped suddenly
"He won't have nary axe to chop me
out"
Before Bill could think o! a comfort
ing rejoinder, little group Of cavalry
came trotting up, headed by General
Stuart, as No. I had foretold. The
general drew rein, returning Billy's
salute. What have you in this tree?"
he asked. "Possun?"
"No, sir" stammered Billy, who had
never been addressed by a general be-
fore. "N-no, SIR" he repeated, grow
ing red with embarrassment, "least-
ways not exactly what you might call
a possum. sir. It's-it's an artillery.
man-No. I, sir, OF Pelham's battery,
sir. He stepped inside while some
Yanks were passing and was caught
in the rain. Leastways, the log SWELL
ed in the rain and No. 7 couldn't get
out OF it-an'-an' we hoped you might
be brinein' up IN axe" He felt him
self growing utterly confused and
stopped abruptly. The general was
rocking in his saddle with mirth.
"An artilleryman possum," he cried,
riding close to the log and addressing
IL between peals OF laughter. "Hey,
Mr.. Artilleryman, let me see you
drill"
His aides had arranged themselves
in an appreclative circle round the
tree. "AttentiOn" commanded the
general gaily; then turning to the
aides: "Observe how admirably he
drills. Straight as a ramrod. Pre-
sent arms! Ishould adapt that. Pre-.
sent branches! Hey, Captain Carter,
don't you want to test the effective.
ness of this armor for service on the
ield?"
Transportation" laughed the cap
tain, shaking his head. "A squad OF
these would be as cumbersome as one
Of Pelham's Napoleon guns"
"Lumbersome's the word," cried the
general, clapping his comrade on the
shulder. "Good word, Carter" He
leaned forward a little to address the
log 10 which No. lay unrespOnsive,
although he had been blithe enough
at his own expense while before
"This jack oak" continued the gener
al, sin which-pardOn me-the jack
ass has incarcerated himself, shOult
take a fresh start and flourish into 1
jack aspen"
A roar Of laughter greeted this
sally, and the horses champed on thei
bits and floundered noisily 10 the mud
dy road. Billy stood hy the log In
defensive attitude. 1t did not seen
quite fair that No. I should be made
game Of In addition to his misery. nc
began to doubt the greatness Of the
great general. But the cavalry leader
only slapped his knee like Q boy ana
laughed the more.
"lmavine," he cried, "the bewlider'
ment of scientists In years to come
when, knowing nothing Of the graft
ed artilleryman, they discover this
strange hybrid bearing . crop or man
darins! My friend" he added, salut-
Ing Billy, II shall report your CON-
rade to his battery as hors de combat.
Don't understand? 1t means, Don't
let the Yankees who will be aloup
here In an hour or two, 'use this gen.