The National tribune., 1900-12-20

I Steamboat answered Shorty. The
oilers haw-hawed.
Glad to know it. Wasn't quite sure
from the looks but it was floating kind
ling-wood factory in hard luck. What's
her name?" returned the voice, more pleas
antly than might have been expected.
Dumb it, can't you read her name on
the pilot-house," 81 answered GROSSLY, for
he had just broken his thumb-nail trying
TO tighten the rope. Use your eyes, and
don't ask so many fool questions"
Look here. sir, you mustn't answer me
that way" said the voice, sharply.
Shorty, who had parked his shin against
one of the anchors, and was ready to
quarrel with anybody, looked around and
saw a tall, rather spare man, on foot,
with an officers oyercoat, buttOned up to
the chin, and a badly-battered campaign
hat, pulled down over his eyes. Below
appeared 4 short, rugged, red beard,
which somehow appeared familiar, but
Shorty could not place it. 1t seemed to
him that it was the Quartermaster of the
LIST Oshkosh, whom he had no reason to
like. why shouldn't he answer you that
way, want TO knOw?' he fiared up. We
aint no information bureau. We wasn't
enlisted to read boats names and things
for commissioned officers who'd played
hooky instead o going to school. and
missed their education. Get some o. them
nigsers around there to read the name for
You, Captain. We're too busy"
.Captain-that's good,'' chuckled the
crowd ashore.
There, there. SIR" returned the officer.
''you have wasted enough breath and time
to have told me the whole history of the
boat, and yet said nothing"
well, if you must know, this is the
good boat Kick-Up-Behind, Capt. Sour
Dough Master, loaded with meerschaums
nankeen pants, and patent-leather slippers,
for Sherman's army, and bound across
Buzzard Roost by the way of kenesaw
Mountain for the Ocmulsce River. That's
the solemn truth. Colonel, little as | want
to tell it."
Colonel The crowd laughed again.
Good enough" said the officer. Il think
I'll put you on my staff. to furnish infOr-
nation to the newspapers. You'd make a
fine war correspondent. Your imagina-
ton is only equalled by your disregard of
the truth. But we have had enough of
this chaff," he added in a tone which made
81 and Shorty involuntarily stop their
work and begin to straighten up. stop
that. come to attention, and answer me
promptly and truthfully. What boat is
that?"
United States transport LOrena.'' an
swcred 81, coming to attention and saint
ing. LOADED with pontoon supplies for
Gen. Sherman's army"
Hello" said the officer in a tone of
eXultatIon, the pontoons at last. Who
is in commando"
Col. Bonesteel, United States Engi-
neers. sir" said ST. still more respectfully.
as recOllectionS of the officers appearance
began to witty in his mind Il think he
must be one of the Corps Commanders -
he whispered to Shorty, but can't Just
remember which"
VERY good, Sergeant; find Col Bone
steel at once, present my compliments to
him, and tell him that Gen. Sherman de-
sires to see. him Immediately here on the
wharf"
Gen. Sherman" gasped 81 and Shorty,
hastily buttoning up their blOuses and
Strengthening their caps.
Fall in. guards; fall in promptly" 81
shouted to his men.
"Never mind the guards" said Gen.
Sherman, impatiently. Find Col. Bone
steel at once"
81 went up to the cabin deck as rapidly
as his broad Wabash feet would carry
him, to startle Col. Bonesteel and Shad
with the announcement of Gen. Sherman's
presence. Shad had just finished, under
the CoioneFs directions, n report to the
Commandment of the Post of the IIorena's
arrival. and requisition on the Supcrin-
tendent of Railroads for a train to be
ieduy carry tHe ilcAt uOrulnS 10 take the
pontoons on to Sherman.
'You will take that personally" said
the Colonel, pointing to the requisition,
ito the Superintendent and insist upon
having the train not later than tomorrow
morning. He will try to put you off, and
get another day, but do not allow him to
do so. If he will not agree to it, come
back to me, and I'll so to him. We must
have it,"
"Gen. Sherman's out there on the wharf
and wants you to come to him at once.
Colonel" said 81, so full of his message
that he forgot his military manners.
Gen. Sherman out there on the wharf.
and wanting to see me-" gasped the
Colonel, and shaken from his Businesses.
yes; and he can't wait a minute. He's
very impatient"
The Colonel looked dazed for a minute.
and then, with Shad's and Sis assistance.