The National tribune., 1900-08-16

| found pale. thin. scholarly looking Lieu.
tenant, with one leg oH, In charge. Toe
bad you brought him IN" be said, with
| gentle boredom, after 81 had finished his
account The boys understand now that
they're never to bring in bushwhackers,
| at our trains. Makes a great deal Of IN.
necessary bother trying them, guarding
| them, and so on. Shooting at the whistle,
was he? Unique idea. Deserves some
credit for the originality Of the concep-
tion. Well. since you have brought him
fore the Commission. You'll prefer
charges against him tomorrow, and wait
here until the Commission can reach his
case. and Eye your testimony"
But, 1.sutenant." protested 81. that's
the very thing we don't want to do. We're
home to our folks. We don't want to be
laying around Nashville waiting for the
trial of this worthless old sang digger
Yes. | see" murmured the Lieutenant,
gently. Its too bad. that's clear. But
since you have brought him in there's
regular course. I'm sorry for you, but
you won't do it again. Why, good even
ing, Colonel. Glad to see you This Is
an unexpected visit"
The newcomer. an earnest, soldierly-
looking man, returned the greeting, and
explained:
Lieutenant I've come down 70 direct
you that as We have great need OF men to
Sut the roadbed out here in proper shape
and keep IL so for the enormous work il
IS dong, that You use pretty liberal dis
cretlon in sending everybody, white or
black, that comes into your hands, or you
think ought to be doing something. out
to the working squad. We've got fore
men that have knack OF getting all the
work that's in them ont of any men sent
them, and as therell be some months of
this you'll find that you can properly meet
most OF the cascS that come before you
by n liberal allotment of time with the
pick and shovel on the railroad. This will
save the Commission a great deal Of
bother
Splendid idea," said the Lieutenant.
Just the thing. There's a man there,
Colonel, that I'd like to begin on, il you'll
give the order"
ohense, at which the Colonel smiled, and
said:
Well, admire his originality and per-
severence, il | can't his Judgment. A few
months work with n pick and shovel may
give him some practical ideas as to rail-
rGads; lou may start your operations
with him. Good evening"
What, set me to work with a pick and
shovel, among lot o greasy niggers,"
roared the bushwhacker, as the scheme
broke upon him. Why. I'll never do hit
in the world I'd heap ruther die right
hyah. sub. I'm n gentleman, sub. 1
never done lick o work often my own
place in my life, sub. and l never will"
20. yes, l ratheF-think you will," said
the Lieutenant, with a languid, sweet
smile. Its surprising what an amount
OF good work our foremen have managed
to get out of much worse cases than
yours. You'll be much thinner by the
ftn-- Al.
figure will be better by the loss of little
flesh. You'll have more muscle, and the
satisfaction that you have done a great
deal toward improving the transportation
facilities of Your country. Guard, take
him out Sergeant, you're relieved from
the charge Of this man. Let me have
your name and that of the Corporal. I'll
report favorably to your Colonel what
you've done
TO be continued.)