The National tribune., 1901-12-12

They didn't let him very deep into
that, and we only gave him a berth as
| watcnra:.o IN one Of the steamboats, car
rying hospital supplies
| Apparently his fellows are getting on
/ to him. Anyway, he's made as much as
| he could expect out of his plOttings. Tell
him to go into the back-room and wait
for me-
| Deacon continued the Governor,
| I'm anxiOuSly expecting news from Sher-
man. You knew that the only way wo
can get news from Savannah is by steam
ers from the fleet, which have to 20 clear
/ to Fort Monroe before reaching the teIe-
graph. 1t has been some days now since
| we heard of the taking of Fort MrAlis-
| ter, and something else must have Ger
tainly happened. Either Sherman has got
/ into Savannah, or he has been repulsed,
possibly driven away. But | won't be-
/ icye that. Yet Il is more than likely that
the rebels will strain every nerve to strike
crushing blow, and relieve Savannah.
| II they don't succeed, they may as well
| throw up the sponge"
! Governor" said Thad Virgins, COM
| ing in again, "Eph Wyman's here. dead
anxious to see you at once. He's No. 3
on that list"
Yes; 1 remember him. This is his
| third give-away, isn't it?'
| Yes, and he got pay for the other two"
Tell him to go into the east room and
| wait for me-
AS l was saying, Deacon" continued
| the Governor, I'm not so much worried
over the men that Hsrdee has in Savan-
nah as over those that Beauregard, Bragg,
| Gustayus Smith, Joe Wheeler, Howell
Cobb, and the rest may have on the out
side. Sherman appears to have lodged
| them very cleverly on his way through
the State, by deceiving them as to the
point he was aiming at. Bragg gathered
up a lot to defend Augusta, Smith and
| Howell Cobb, and the LieutenantGov-
! ernOr Of Georgia Taked up every man
they. could reach to defend Macon,
| and''-
Governor" interrupted Thad Virgins.
'Ras Dale and Bob Quinn are here to
see you. They're IL and II on that list"
Yes, | know them,' said the Gov
ernor. They've sold out before. Take
| them into the west room to wait
| sherman feinted strongly at both
| places, long enough to hive the rebels
| there continued the Governor to the
| Deacon, 'and chen passed on between
| them. 1t was very shrewd strategy, but
| these fellows may get together. if they
are given time, and come in upon his
rear
Governor" said Thad Virgins. JEFF
| Collins and Jack Hart are here to see
you. They are 10 and 20 on the list I
| suppose they've all heard OF Bible Sans
| fesS"
Take them back into the dining-rooul
| and let them wait" said the Governor.
| If any more come, take them in there,
too. They'll all probably be here befora
the evenings over. They are conspirators
for revenue only, but they'll find the m3r-
ket has sagged badly. We will have some
fun with them"
Telegram, Governor" said his Secre-
| tary, handing him dispatch.
The Governor tore it open impatiently
and read:
Vessel just arrived at Fort Monroe
from Hilton Head. Says that Sherman's
| army is closed up around Savannah, with
in three miles Of the city, and is mount
ing siege guns. Sherman has summoned
| Hardee to surrender. Will lombard IL
he don't, and carry the city by assault.
No news of any rebel force in rear"
.yrt ~Hprrahi" e1ulted the Governor.
That's all right VIII take that out
aDd read it to the folks"
There's one consolation" continued
| the Governor. IF Sherman's in those
| swamps, and finds it hard TO get at the
rebels, they'll find it Just as hard to get
at him. 1 remember in the Seminole
War
Governor, here's another telegram"
The Governor tore open the envelope
and read:
Washington, D. @.
Gov. o. P. Morton, Indianapolis.
Dispatch just received, by fast vessel
to Fort Monroe, says:
His Excellency, President Lincoln: I
beg to present you as a Christmas gift
the city of Savannah, with $50 heavy
guns and plenty of ammunition, and also
about 5000 bales of cotton. w. T. Sher.
man, Major General.
"E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War"
The Governor walked back into the par
lors and read this aloud. When the cheer
ing subsided, Thad Virgins reminded
him:
Governor, a out of the % of them
conspirators with Bible Sam have come,
and I'm bothered where to put them,
They're all here but Sam, who has a pre-.
vious engagement with the jailor."
Bring them all into the library" said
the Governor. III go there and see
them"
Come along. Deacon" added the Gov
ernOr. It'll help you enjoy the good
news"
As soon as the Governor could get
away from the exultant throng, he made
his way to the library, where Virgins
had the sworn conspirators assembled.
Gentlemen" said the Governor. with
brought together, that 1 might speak to
you at once. My time is precious, as
they are insisting that 1 go out on the
balcony and address a crowd that is jolly,
flying over the good news from Sherman.
see, by a careful count, that there are
just "A of you present of the band that
swOre to assassinate me. Only one is alb.
sent-your leader, who happens to be
detained by the iron grasp of the law.
Doubtless he longs to be present. 1 Will
merely say that the bottom has been
knocked out of the market for confes.
sions, and that hereafter you will have
to follow some other livelihood. ThS
triumph of the Union is assured, whether
or any other man may live or die. w,
are not purchasing any more information
and are perfectly Indifferent whether yor
plot or not. This will SO hard with some
of you, who have supported yourselves
during the war this way, but it can't be
helped. l can hardly ask you to join the
loyal citizens in front in rejoicing over
the Union success, because it means a
loss of your occupation. shall bid you
good evening"
CTO be continued)
DEDCnNAI