New-York tribune., 1900-12-27
THE PASSING THRONG.

I'VE had moral coward in our cavalry company
all through 1884, said Colonel George w. Dunn.
chairman OF the Republican State
THE CONTRA Committee. at the Fifth Avenue
BAND MULE Hotel one night this week, "and
AND THE he couldn't be made to fight. He
COWARD. couldn't help ii. In all other
spects Matt-can him Matt-was
a very handy have around One day
early in 1854 regiment captured big mule from
the 'Rebs,' and as none OF the senior officers
seemed to want him he was passed along TO me.
He'll be handy TO carry your camp equipments
said my colonel. when he turned him TO
He was a big strcng fellow. and he did come in
in my company soon acquired the habit of hooking
the march he looked almost as big as a small load
Oh nay knowing II was Of Of no use 70 Try TO gsf
have to look out for this mule and all the truck
hitched fast to him, and IL you lose him III put
full of minies.' The mule was slow by nature. and
strer a NE GeGame camp daudge ne became PEE Ia1les %
beast going, but he always kept near him, One
Jogging along toward patcn of woods. Suddenly
brigade of Johnnies' swung right out of those
lets in ten seconds. 1 rode around trying to keep
the boys in line. and was approaching clump OF
brush which fringed a newly Ploughed neld when
l heard some one sobbng, sputtering swearing
and hitting something all at once. 1t was Matt,
crawling along on his hands and knees on the side
Of the camp mule furthest from the enemy The
hitting at the mule wherever he could see an open
ing between the pots and pans. i know-wh-what
Of gun, sobbed Matt, you wapter git me shot.
dod blast you.-an'-an' that's why y don't move
faster. The sight ticked me so almost fell on
my horse" concluded Colonel Dunn joining in the
hearty laughter of the Amen Corner
Il often find myself wondering what became OF
boy who at the age of about fourteen left Auburn.
the citv of his birth,'' said Con-
CONGRESS gressman Payne chairman OF the
MAN PAYNE'S House Ways and Means Commit
STORY. tee at the Fifth Avenue Hotel
Monday night 'FHe was a bright
manly fellow. but he never had heard his fathers
history till before he left the city. His
father and his uncle while young men living In
small farming village. murdered a pedler for his
money. The father Of the lad of whom l speak
the weaker and younger Of the brothers. and
dragged into assisting in the crime by his older
in Auburn prison, and when released secured
position superintendent from a labor contractor
in the prison shop. He married nice In
Auburn, and the boy of whom / speak of
sChoOnate day and whipped his antagonist.
The beaten boy, bruised and bleeding, he started
for home, said bitterly: No wonder you whipped me
your fathers murderer You lei' shouted the
victorious boy, but there something in the
glances Of two other playmates that caused him
misgivings. Hurrying home he told his mother what
knew the unwelcome truth about his father, who
had died only a year two before. The little fell
low simply overwhelmed. At supper he took
his mother aside and said You and sister do
and won't go back to schoolE That same night
they all decided 10 go 10 the Far West Only the
nearest relatives of the mother ever knew what be-
came OF them. / often wonder what became Of
that boy. l was District Attorney Of Cayuga
County at about that time and knew him well. He
brave little fellow