The National tribune., 1900-09-13

we're going to finish up this corn before
O'Clock We must light in. We can't
waste time talking fooiistness."
Shorty felt that more than the eyes Of
turned to the attack upon the corn-Maria
was looking at him. Under the stimulus
Of this he condescended to watch the
Deacon's and Sis methods, and was rap
idly acquiring their skill when the Dea-
con announced that the work was done.
O'Clock at hand, and that they would
quit and go to the house.
ii and Annabel walked frankly hand-in.
hand home. Shorty would have been will
ing TO go back to AnderSonville and take
his chances there, to have done the same
with Maria. But he was happy enough
to merely walk by her side, and mumbls
from time to time confused answers to
her biting sarcasms on men who preferred
the burrs and prickles Of the corn-feld
to ladies' society.
At the house the men luxuriated in
such q wash as Shorty declared was i'm
possible south of the Ohio, and was in
itself enough to make the difference be-
tween loyal men and rebels. There was
an abundance of crystal pure water, gen.
erous sized basins. soap that broke at
once into a purifying foam. and great
roiier-towels fragrant of the meadow
where they had dried and bleached.
And the bountiful supper-table to which
Luty sat uDNU, ldueu With All the good
things that Mother Klegg's deft hands
could produce for the qualification OF her
son and his chum-such a Supper-table as
81 used to dream of at night in Ander-
sonville. and fight against remembering in
the daytime, lest it make his condition
unSuppOrtable.
A hundredfold more gladdening to the
hearts of the boys than aught else was
the appearance of the girls ut the table.
clad in fresh. trim calico, their wealth of
hair cOmbed smoothly down over their
ears, after the fashion of the day, and
gather I'd in great coils behind, and their
bright faces wreathed in smiles. Annabel
seated herself by 81, and Maria by Shorty.
For while Maria dropped her iHcessant
teasing of the bis-boned Corporal and
seemed only anxious that he should have
enough of the best there was on the table.
In the blessing which the Deacon asked
upon the meal all his intense, unexpressed
feeling welled forth. He could talk to
his God as to no one else, and he thanked
iiim, in homely, fervid words, for pre-
serving his son and companions from the
perils of battle and of prison, and bringing
them safely home again. He besOught
the blessing Of God upon the President
of the United States, and upon the armies
Of the Union, and prayed for speedy res
toration of peace, with the Union I'M
broken, the authority of the Government
piness of the entire country.
In the cool evening they sat out on the
broad porch and saw the full harvest
moon rise in a flood of silver splendor to
light landscape smiling with Autumn's
rich content. 81 sat between his mother
thankfuinesS at having him once more
with them. They We're whispering to-
,ether some dear little secret, which made
AnnabePs cheeks flame. Maria OCCASION
ally glanced at them with knowing look,
IS if she understood, and wanted to be
with them to share it, but she sat Loyalty
by Shorty, who seemed infinitely happy
to be only where he could look on her
and say nothing-to be thrilled by her
skirts brushing against him.
The Deacon was silently clearing his
mind of worldly weekday thoughts, and
to get into proper frame for the holy
Sabbath.
Amanda, sitting by him. her fingers
busy with some fancy knitting, nudged
him, pointed to 81, his mother and Anna.
bel whispered in his ear, to which the Dea
con responded indifferently.
That's all right. Why not? It's to
be. Sooner the better. Annabel can come
and live with us them" and relapsed into
his Sunday meditations.
Around the house crickets chirped mer-
rily, cicadas sprung their noisy rattles,
night-birds called, and there was a rustic
among the chickens settling down on their
perches. In the fields horses lazily cropped
the rich grass, the cattle lay luxuriously
chewing the cud, and fat pigs grunted
softly.
Everywhere was fairness, abundance,
sleek satisfaction, peace and serenity be-
yond expression.
1t was the same when they walked TO
church the next morning, in the serene
stiffness of the bright Sabbath. No earth
works frowned anywhere, no black
mOuthed cannon grinned, no teamster
cursed his laboring mules, no bugles called
from camp to camp, no regiments swept
by, no spiteful crack of picket-firing in
the distant woods. All these familiar
sights and sounds were as far away as
if in another world.
Say, ST. called out Shorty, "do you
believe there's war, or disturbance Of
the peace, or a ruction of any kind going
on anywhere?"
When the minister was giving his GUS
tomary announcements he said:
"a marriage will be celebrated next
Saturday evening, at the house of Mrs.
katherine Bayley, between Josiah Kle.g,
ir., and Annabel Bayley. If anyone knows
just cause or impeachment why these two
should not be Joined together in holy
matrimOny, let them make it known now
or then, or forever after hold their peace.
All friends of the families and members
of this congregation are invited to at
tend"
(To be cOntinued.)