The National tribune., 1900-08-23

! 81 WAS AMAZFl
wood chips" grumbled Pete to Sandy, as
they nibblcd perfunctorily at the sand
witches. We'll never get well on such
stuff as this, any more'n pig1l get fat
on Il straw-stack. One mess o that pork
and cabbage d build us up more'n car
anybody being hurt by pork and cabbage?
Sounds like trying to kill dog by stufIins
him with bread and butter"
In the middle of the long, hot afternoon
they stopped for an hour on switch, to
wait the passage of troop-laden trains
from the North. The horde of hucksters
had descended upon them, and had been
driven off by 81 and Shorty, though with
more signs of discomfort by the hungry
boys. Then the attention of the horde
was drawn off to the other trains. 81 sat
down in the corner, and presently fell isto
n doZe. He woke little later with a
start and his first thought was to look
Monty Scruggs and Gid Mackall were ly-
ing in the corner, feebly tanning them
selves. ALI Russell was standing on the
ground, talking to the Hospital Steward
of new regiment going to the front, and
giving him points as to hospital practice.
Harry Joslyn was examining with inter-
est Il fine 16-sboOter rifle OF the latest
front was taking with him. But Shorty,
Pete and Sandy Baker were missing. 81
started to look for them. Turning sharp
ly around the corner of large shed he
was amazed and angered to see hidden be-
hind 1t his missing ones, devouring with
gUstO large soup-plate which had appar-
emily been filled with pork and cabbage.
Its contents were rapidly disappearing un-
der their combined attack.
Good gracious, but that's good" mur-
INJURED Pete. Every mouthful went
straight to the right spot. But 1 hain't
had quarter enough. Let's have another
plateful. Where's that fellef?'
NO; no more" said Shorty, decidedly.
That's got TO do you until we get acrost
the river. And you keep away from 81
SOS he won't smell your breath"
We'll, let's have one o them pies, any
way" pleaded Pete. ''They look so good
and they'll take the smell away
Nary. pie" answered Shorty. "Ken-
lucky pies is too dangersOme. 1 don't
think there's no harm in a taste o. billed
cabbage, but pies is another matter, and"
Pete's eyes filled with tears of longing,
for he saw man passing with nicely
Drowned 'turn-overs," that looked precise
ly like the ones with which his mother
used to delight his bOysh heart.
Shorty relented. How much is them
pies!" he asked the man.
Fifty cents apiece. Nice homemade
pies. My wife baked 'em and put in lots
o. sweetening-both 'lasses and sugar."
Shorty looked at Pete's eyes again, and
then reached down in his pocket
thundered ST.
Shorty stood for an instant dazed, be-
fore his indignant partner. "You needn't
make fuss about it," he said presently.
Il only have let them have little bit, not
more'n good mouthful apiece They were
so crazy for it was afraid that hungering
for it would do 'em more harm than Civ
ing it to EN-
But you were about to give 'em pie"
thundered 81. Il never could've expected
that of You, Shorty, when you've got such
a responsibility for their lives. If one o.
them boys is taken down with the cramps
and dies before we get acrOst the river his
bloodll be on your head. But l haint
time to talk. The trains about to start.
Get on at once, and I'll think what ought
to be done to you"
The remainder of the journey to Louis
vile was performed with ST sitting sternly
upright and apart, and Shorty focking
with Sandy and Pete.
81 only modified his sternness by occa-
sional anxious looks at Sandy and Pete,
as II he expected any moment to see them
prostrated by some alarming illness. But
they continued unusually bright and chip
per, and did not seem oppressed by any
remorse as to what they had done.
They all got together again in helping
Mackall and Scruggs out Of the cars,
in the Soldiers Rest in Jeffersonville,
where they stayed that night, 81 rolled
himself up alone in his blanket, his last
thoughts being forebodings as to how he
should likely find Pete and Sandy in the
morning. The first thing he did when
waking was to walk over to where Sandy
and Pete were curled up with Shorty. All
three were snoring away at great rate,
and look of great relief shone in Sis
face. The noisy reveille presently awak-
ened everybody, and with the awakening
came the happy thought to each mind that
he was really once more Gin Gods coun-
try" Even Monty and Gid were so ami
mated that they did not require any as
sstance to rise, but got up and Joined in
the movement to the wash-place, so as to
be in readiness for their breakfasts. Pete
and Sandy seemed to forget their scurvy
and gangrene, and hoped around as lively
as before their imprisonment. Only Shorty
looked detected. His whole world had
ID to 9 G5pe in sis bm
see Maria. What under the sun was he
to do? What apology or excuse could he
make which would restore his comrades
favor? He was ready to do anything, II
he could only think Of the thing to do. but
he knew too well Sis unconquerable stub
bornness when he had once made up his
mind. He avoided looking at or
going near ST. while he carried on
the anxious debate in his mind, but appar-
emily devoted himself with extraordinary
care to his morning toilet and to helping
Pete and Sandy make themselves as pre-.
sentable as possible for going home. His
spirits kept sinking. as it seemed that 81
was avoiding speaking to him. He got a
whisk broom, and carefully brushed Pete's |
clothes, to distract his mind from abject |
despair. He almost brushed the buttons |
off Pete. Still 81 kept away, and Shorty |
turned his attention to Sandy Baker. Just |
as hope was shrieking farewell to him, 81
slapped him on the shoulder, and said in |
his old tone:
Say, Shorty, the boys are all looking |
Just bully this morning. We've got 'em |