The National tribune., 1900-10-25

bclel vi star entered 1le room, and
SHORTY became at once vitally interested in
his mission, for something presaged that
1t bore upon the all-important question of
getting the pontOon train away that day.
The Colonel rose and stood stily at at
tentiOn.
I've come to see you personally,
Colonel" said the General, after the greet
ings had been exchanged, because the
matter is of the utmost importance. I've
i had to use every single engine that is at
my disposal, except the one which has
been assigned to you for your train, which
was to start south this evening. 1 have
now come to tell you that 1 must take
! that"
| impossible, General" broke in the
| Colonel
But it is possible, and it must be-"
answered the General, quite as firm in
tones as the Colonel. Il have every 9th
er engine out, and that is the best one at
my command"
''But it is not at your command" said
the Colonel hotly. at Is at mine"
Pardon me, believe have the Presi-
dents direct assignment to this district,
| and my first duty is to its defense. /
have reliable information of an attempt
| to be made by the rebels to effect lodg-
ment on the river between here and Ev-
ansyille, and | must send a force at once
to repel them. Everything else must give
way to this necessity. / hope TO have an
other locomotive soon which l can place
Mt your disposal, but this one L must
have"
"You are very imperative, SIR" said the
Colonel sternly. But the needs of your
small district must give way to those Of
the entire army. Gen. Sherman Is de-
pendent upon the arrival of these pontoon
supplies to begin his movement"
Gen. Sherman will simply have to wait
then until we can straighten up things
4. n i ~.
country right around us. 1t may be only
a few days, but everything must yield to
the present necessity"
The Colonel looked as il he was about
TO explode, but he restrained himself. His
habits of military subordination asserted
themselves, the more strongly because the
General was a Regular himself, and ''in
the old service had outranked him.
POSSIBLY you forget" he said with
forced calmness, that 1 directly represent
the Major-General commanding the Mill
tary Division of the Mississippi and that
I am acting Immediately under his orders.
which take precedence of everything e'se."
Except those of the President of the
United States, the Secretary OF War and
the Lieutenant General Commanding the
Armies of the United States" interposed
the General. SIN view of the urgency of
the situation the Secretary of War has
sent me this order, clothing me with I'M
usual powers, as you will see by reading
it. Everything is placed under my COM
mand without reserve, until the emergency
is passed, and l am to be the judge of the
emergency"
Il shall telegraph to Gen. Sherman that
you are preventing my execution of his or
ders." roared the Colonel.
"You will find that difficult until COM
munications are restored" said the Gen
eral, with provoking calmness; "and then
| should recommend careful thought in
framing your dispatch. You know have
always been quite strenuous that high Off
GERS should set an example to those under
them of cheerful subordination and ODE
sustained my views. Good morning, Colo |
nell"
Orderly" said the Colonel. trying to |
speak with official calp ness, direct Lieut.. |
Graham to report to me at once
Shorty sped away with the alarming in
noticed a large. rather fashily attired civil |
liam entering the Office. IF that feller |
knowed what was we'll for him." he COM
mented to himself, he'd keep away from |
the Colonel at this particular juncture.
The Colonel's as savage as meat-ax, and
liable to take it out on the first man he
meets. / hope he hain't sent for Shad to
take it out on him. Who's that feller 60
ing in? Seems to me I've seen him some
where. Great Jehosephat, if it amt old
Billings, our old Lieutenant Colonell l
wonder what devilment he's up to now?
Well, he's going into the wrong shop, if
don't miss my guess badly.
He hurried in, and reported:
Lieut. Graham will report to you at
once, sir, as soon as he can change his
clothes He has been helping the men
load"
He stood stiffly at attention, awaiting
the Colonefs reply. Il
"Just like these volunteer officers"
snorted the Colonel. "Think they must
work along with their men, and do as
much. Good morning, SIR" he continued,
haughtily at Billings, and the
glossy silk hat which stuck closely on the
x-Lieutenant- Coloneps head.
Billings was evidently prospering. He
was dressed in new suit of black broad
cloth, with long-tailed frock coat, a
heavy gold chain, with numerous seals
and charms dependent from 1t. hung from
his vest, ill-ftting, unbuttoned gloves COW
cred his large hands, and he carried
heavy, silver-headed cane. He looked
stern and important, and was evidently
bent upon doing the overawing act Not
getting the Colonel's invitation to sit
down, he dispensed with that formaIity.
but parted his coat-tails and took posses
sicn Of the chair to the right of the
Colonel's desk This did not improve the
temper of the Colonel, who, with another
savage frown at the silk hat, still glued I
last to Billings's head, seated himself at
his desk. and began busying himself with
lis papers. II