The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-10-31
THE CONF|SCATED HAMS
A Story of the Close of
the Civil War.
BY ELLA LOWERY MOSELY.

"The Yankees will be here in the
morning!"
That was the news that threw
the little town into a fever that
bright afternoon. The war was
over and the Federal armies were
moving homeward. Truly, we were
glad to see them going, but we
wished them to leave behind them
the little live stock and other porta-
BILE property which the bloody con-
fiict had left us. Else how could
we begin this new life?
So there was excitement in the
town, and people were hiding their
valuables and driving their cattle
10 the swamp.
The little store down on the
square was deserted early in the
evening, for those who had no prop
erty to demand their attention had
also gone home to talk over the
news with the folks there, having
already exhausted the subject down
town. This store, together with
the building, one room of which it
occupied, was owned by the Rarely
brothers, commonly called Jack and
Jim. They sat just now in splint
bottom chairs tilted back against
the counter, their worn gray caps
pulled over their eyes to keep out
the light.
Ten months before this Jack
Rarely, rendered unable for further
service in the army by wounds and
exposure, had come home to stay.
He found the store, which a lad Of
seventeen had been running, in a
most deplorable condition as to its
stock. Weak, thin faced, full of
aches and pains and with a hunger
almost impossible to appease, he
took charge of it. There was so lit
tie in it and customers were so
scarce he was the same worn, gaunt
figure, with hollow, yearning eyes
now that he was then.
A few weeks before this Jim had
been sent home on furlough to
gain strength enough, if he could,
to 60 back. The surrender has re-
lieved him of that necessity. He
looked like his brother, save that
his figure was naturally heavier
They had been sitting very quiet
ly. They were in that state when
silence is more restful than talking.
They were not disturbed by the ex-
pected arrival of the Yankees. A
little rusty %inware, few dingy
discolored calicoes, some wormy
meal and rank meat-nobody want
ed that. / say they were not dis
turbed, but Jack at least had been
doing some hard thinking.
Now the room over them had
been the warehouse in that district
for the Confederacy. There was a
goodly store of hams in it belong
ing, Of course, as confiscated prop
erty to the Federal government.
That was the subject of Jacks
thoughts, for presently he said to
Jim, who was engaged in whiting
a stick:
"What's to hinder us takin' a
couple of these hams home?" He
spoke cautiously, as though in
doubt as to the reception his sugges-
ton would receive.
Jim stopped his whiting and
looked up. He was very slow in an
swering. He had studied for the
ministry once and was given to
weighing matters of an ethical ma
ture seriously.
81 don't know" he answered at
length, and then, the tone belying
the words, owe haven't a right,
have we ?"
"Why," said Jack, we've never
had any rent for the room they're
in. Seems like we ought to have
somethin'."
eyes," replied Jim. "But the
one who put the hams there can't
pay now, and the ones who are 60
in to take 'em away haven't any
call to-
"Ma would like a bit of that
ham," Jack continued musingly.
sShe said this mornin' that side
meat hadn't any taste. She amt
had much appetite here of late"
Jim's expression changed. A Vi
sion of his mothers tired yet pa
tient face, which had grown SO much
more tired and more patient during
the months when her boys were in
battle, and she, with her aged hus-
band, had struggled along as best
they could-her face came before
him and brought tears to his eyes.
"Jack," he said softly, maybe
she could eat some, and as we
haven't had any rent l reckon we