The National tribune., 1899-06-08

DiICu ItI tilS illtl III u ICtti Culip DS tiAC
same people from whom he got the chickens.
Being conscientious he tries to return the
team later. Rebel artillery frightens the
horse, which demolishcs the wagon. A conf
pany of Union cavalry relieves the Deacon OF
the horse and gives him COW, which Is
claimed as Gen. ROsecrans's. The General
| recognizes Mr.. Klegg and consents to let 81
and Shorty 60 home with him, which they
do. Shorty gets a letter from sweetheart
he has never seen. The letter Is read before
the family, and makes Shorty so ashamed
that lie leaves secretly to return to his regl-
ment, and wakes up at Jeffersonville, Ind.
After recovery the partners start to the front
with a squad of boy recruits.
81 and Sherry Come Very Nesr Losing Their Boys.
All healthy boys have a strong tincttre OF
the savage in them. The savage alternately
worships his gods with blind, unreasOning
idolatry, or treats them with meaSurelcss
contumely.
Boys do the samc with their heroes. II is
either fervent admiration or profound dis
trust, merging into actual contempt. After
the successful little skirmish with the guer
rllas the boys were wild in their enthusiasm
over ST and Shorty They could not be
made to believe that Gems Grant, Sherman
or Thomas could conduct battle better. But
the moment that ST and Shorty seemed dazcd
by the multitude into which they were
launched, a revulson OF feeling developed,
which soon threatened to be ruinous to the
partners aScendancy.
During the uncomfortable, wakeful night
the prestige Of the partners still further di
miniShed. In their absence the army had
been turned topsy turvy, and reorganized in
most bewildering way. The old familiar
guide marks had disappeared. Two of the
great corps had been bolished-consoli
dated into one, with q new number. and a
strange commander. Two corps Of strange
troops had come in from the Army Of the
Potomac, and had beerconsolidated into one
taking an old ctfps' humber Divisions,
brigades and regiments had been totally
changed in commanders formation and
position. Then the Army OF the Tennessee
had come in, to1 compiicate the seeming
muddle, and the sloregthat ST and Shorty
cross questioned such sgagglers as came by
the clearer it seemed t1I the boys that they
were hopelessly Eewil}lsred, and the more
depressed the youtigstcfS became.
The morning brought no relief. ST and
Shorty talked togethers standing apart from
the squad and casdiflg anxious glances over
the swirliRg mass N army activity, which the
boys did not fail tolh6te bnd read with dismal
forebodings.
q do believe they're LOST whimpered little
Pete Slidmofe What in goodness will ever
become OF us, if we're lost in this awful wilder
neSS?'
The rest shuddered and grew pale at this
horrible prospect
That looks like a brigade headquarters
over there" said ST. pointing TO the left. And
believe that's our old brigade flag. I'm
goin over there to see"
Il don't believe that's any brigade head
quarters at ALL" said Shorty. up there, to
the right, looks ever so much more like u
brigade headquarters. I'm goin' up there to
see. You boys stay right there, and don
move off the ground till | come back"
won't be gone long"
As he left, the boys began to feel more
lonely and hopeless than ever, and little Pete
Skidm0re had hard work to restrain his tears
4 large heavy -iowled man, with a mass Of
black whiskcrs. and wearing Snowy but
nondescript uniform, appeared.
That must be one o the big Generals"
said Harry ,Ioslyn. Looks like the pictures
o Grant. Git into line. boys and salute"
NO. it aint Grsnt neither said Gid Mack
all. TOO big Must be Gen. Thomas"
The awed boys made All effort to form a line
and receive him properly.
who are you boys?' said the newcomer,
after gravely returning the salute
We're recruits for the 200th Iniianny
Volunteer Infantry" answered Harry Joslyn
| Kin you tell us where .he rijinint is? We're
| lost"
Used to know sich regiment In fact, |
| used to be Lieutenant Colonel Of it. But |
| hant hearcd Of il for g long time. Think it's
petered out
''Peterei out" gasped the boys
''YeS Ii was mauled and mummixed to
death There's plenty o miSmanagcmcnt all
around the army, but the 20Jth lnjianny had
the worst luck Of all. II got into awful bad
hands | quit it Just as soon's ! see how
| things was agoing. They begun 10 plant the
men just as sOons they crossed the Ohio, and
their graves are strung all the way from Louis
vile to Chickamauga The others got tired o.
being mauled around. and starved, and tyran
nized over, and o fighting for the nigger, and
they skipped for home like sensible men,"
| The boys shuddcred at the doleful picture.
| who brung you here?' continued the new
conner.
"Sariint Klegg and Corpril Elliott" an
Swered Harry.
Holy smoke" said the newcomer with a
look of disgust "Thcy'' ''Ye made non -commish
cut o them sapsuclters.. Why wouldn't let
them do nothn' but dig bitches when was in
command O the regiment. But they probably
had to take them. All 1.-THE decent material was
gone How much bounty'd you get?'
I'VE got $3.50 apiece answered Harry.
@But we didn't cars nathin' for the bounty,
| We " nc
Only $3.50 apiece Holy smoke. They're
| payin 10 times that in some Places
Il tell you, we didn't enlist for the bounty"
reiterated Harry. D. ~
"All the same, yol don't want 10 be robbed o
what's yours. You don't want to be skinned
out o your money byoa gang o snoozers
who're gittin' rich off ofigreen boys like Won.
Where's this Sariint klogg and Corpril Elliott
that brlmg you herei' 4
They've gone to look for the rjimint"
Gone to look for the regiment Much they We
gone to box for the regiment They've gone
10 look out for their scalawag selves. When
you see 'em agn, you'll know 'em, that's all"
Little Pete Skidmore began 10 whimper.
| Say, boys" continued the newcomer.
you'd better drop all idec of that 2O0th Inji,
amy and come with me. II there is any sich
a regiment any more, and you get to it. you'd
be sorry for it, as long as you live know a
man over here who S got a nice regiment, and
wants few more boys like You to fill it up.
He'll treat you white and give you twice as
much bounty as you'll git anywhere's else,
1 l.