The National tribune., 1900-02-22

f EIGHT FOR So BTLL?"
and | had knife. I'd cut it in a holy
minute, if | sunk with the rest"
Descending the slope, they cast wary
eye upon the sentinel in the box neares
the creek, to discover if he had any present
intention of carrying out the semi-dails
performance of firing into the crowd on thu
bridge across the creek. Apparently he
did not. The creek was full of muddy
water, from the heavy rain of the night
and as there was little choice In cleanliness
there were no men reaching up toward the
dead-line for clean water, which would
afford the guard pretext for shooting
Stockade, and was scratching his shock
head with an energy that the rebels never
showed In any other occupation.
Wish | could see a line o our cavalry
raise the hill yonder," said 81, expressing
an aspiration that came perpetuaily to the
lips of the prisoners. "and fire a yolley that
d knock the dumbed heads off every wheIu
in them perches."
We'll see 'em soon. Wen see 'em.
just wait said Shorty hopefully "OId
Sherman's putin In full time every dav.
and every day brings him lots nearer The
moon won't change many times till we'Il
see our cavalry lopin' through them woods.
and these hellions runnin' like rats from
a terrier
side, to where the broadest and longest
street in the prison ran due east from the
North Gate: This the prisoners dubbed
broadway" from its pre-eminence among
the paths in the prison.
Another reason was because it was the
chief mart in stockade. In spite of the
hunger starvation, deadly sickness and
abject misery OF the place, there was still
the active spirit of trade and commerce.
and all the more enterprising traders con-
gregated along Broadway. 1t was aston
ishing to see the kind and number of things
that found their way into prison. despite
the robberles of the prisoners on the field. on
their way to Andersonville. and by the
searcherS at Wirz'S HEADQUARTERS. dire
necessity for food had driven their owners
to offer for sale their most cherished beIonp-
ings for anything that they would bring.
There were gold and silver watches. gold
pens, violins, flutes, rings, breast-pins.
lockets, knives, pocket-books, combs. silk
handkerchiefs, and articles of clothing
These were entrusted by their owners to
traders who sold them to other prisoners, or
more frequently to rebel officers, who came
in to buy things cheaply that their own
stores were destitute of. But the most
and active of the traders were
those who bought bundles of wood. pieces of
meat, sacks of cow-peas, flour, meal. new
potatoes. sweet potatoes, peaches, etc,
anu water hieioiS oi tne guards and re-
tailed them to the prisoners, at more than
gold-mine profits. They baked the flour
into little biscuits. and boiled the cow-peas
to a thick soup. which they sold in
dishes made of half-canteens. The new
prisoners, who brought little money in.
and could not come down to the coarse corn
bread, speedily squandered it for the COW
peas and wheat biscuits. Everybody was
fro,i, and thousands diving of
scurvy. for which watermelons. Irish and
sweet potatoes and peaches We're sovereign
remedies, and many sold even their most
necessary clothing to obtain these anti
1oteS.
AS ST and Shorty turned into Broadway.
the clamor OF voices, separated itself into
yells of
nice fat pine-1O cents in money or
81 Confed."
Here's your nice wheat biscuits, only 81
greenback for three"
Sweet sorghum molasses, 10 cents a Gun
or 81 Confed.
Come and git your bean-soup. Only
81 greenback plate"
Nice, big, ripe watermelons. Only S. in
greenbacks apiece.
Here's your big sweet taters. Best
thing in the world for scurvy. Only 1Ol
cents in money, or 81 Confed:"
Fine Irish taters. Only a quarter
l. piece in money, or two for S5 Confed."
Here's your fresh country eggs, hard
billed. Three for 81 greenback in money.
Or SO Confed.'
81 and Shorty looked at the displavs of
'ood, their mouths watered for the viands. |
and they chartered with the venders, but
'ound that there was no cutting their
prices.
It's no use. Si." said Shorty. turning
away with sigh. "All the money we've
got wouldn't more'n buy a square meal |
or the boys at these prices. and then well |
be without ANYTHING. We'd better try to buy |
rom the guards ourselves, and save the |
profits. Well try it tonight
They walked little farther, and heard |
/ boy shouting:
Here's your genuine United States |
,ardtack Only 81 in money a piece. Only |
'eal hardtack in camp. Last chance |
gentlemen. to git a bite O. Gods vittels. |
Don't let the opportunity slip. You don't |
know when you'll have another"
A hungry, covetous crowd gathered |
around the barker" and looked with eager
yes and watering mouths upon the preci-
>lIs food. which he had temptingly dis
played upon a board in front of him. sus-
pended by a string around his neck They
Ooked ready to snatch the crackers away,
nut were deferred by the sellers evident
ook of strength, and the large club he
arried.
ST aud Shorty pushed through the crowd.
md gazed longingly at the crackers. Moth
ng i'll the food line had ever seemed so
empting as these commonplace consti-
uentS of the regular army ration. Their
ager interest alarmed the trader.
Stand back" he said. raising his club
Don't try to raid me. III crack Your
leads if you attempt il"
I'VE aint goin' to raid you," Si answered
We aint that kind. Where in the world |!
lid you git them crackers? The sight
; them is good for sore eyes,
"a boy that was brung in yesterday