The National tribune., 1901-07-11

At every few steps a rabbit would star
up, at which Uncle Ephraim would strike
at, invariably missing, much to the boy:
| amusement, for he would make no chase
| Instead, he would move to the right ol
left a few steps. and wait, with his clut
raised. Presently the rabbit, making &
circle, would come hopping to near where
it started from, and then fall under Uncle
| Ephraim's unerring blow.
Oars hare apiece for each OBJ u.s." ht
said, coming back with his hands full, anC
sitting down to skin them. White mar
monty good fer many t'ings, but he jest
haint no sense at all bout hunting hares
| Nigger'll kill more hares in a day dar
a white man in a year. Way to do is tc
| let dem do de runnin', an jest wait fol
dem"
Some onions growing wild on the banks
were discovered, and collards which had
escaped gathering.
Il declare" ST remarked, satisfedly, as
| he carefully stirred the mass to keep from
| any danger of burning, were going to
have one OF our regular old-time feasts
If this eats as good as it looks and smells
| I'll take back all I've ever said against
rice, and the ration wagons can go hang
| We needn't be so plaguey particular
about when we get to our ships. We can
live on this long while"
1t did eat quite as good as they ex'
pected, and they ate of the hot, fragrant
luscious mass until, as Shorty expressed
it, there aint a wrinkle left on me, either
inside or outside, and / feel just nice and
smooth"
They gathered up the rest OF the
cleaned rice to carry back to Col. McGilli,
cuddy and Capt. Everett, loaded the re-
naming sacks into the wagon, piled on TOP
sufficient straw to last their horses until
the next day, and returned to the regi-
ment.
They were astonished to find themselves
received with cheers. The brigade had
only quarterrations that day, and theirs
was the first forage wagon which had
come into camp for days. 1t looked so full
and comfort bringing as to arouse the
livliest hopes.
They drove to the Coloners tent, re-
ported, and handed him a portion of the
cleaned rice. He ordered the sacks turned
over to the Commissary for issue to the
companies.
Shorty took a liberal portion of the
cleaned rice up to his late antagonist,
Chief Wagonmaster Shuck Dilworth, who
| received it with great qualification, and
the immediate restoration of cordial re-
| lations between him and Shorty.
Glad to see you, Corporal" said the
Commssary, as Shorty brought the wagon
up, while 81 went to report to the Cap
tain. I'VE need something badly, and
apparently you've managed to get a good
load. What's this?" he continued, open
ing one Of the sacks and taking out q
handful.
"Why, that's rice" answered Shorty,
with a panied look at the officers incom-
prehensible ignorance. Real Georgia
rice-irst class, 1 tell you We've just
filled up on 1t ourselves, and it's mighty
good eating"
"Rics?" echoed the officer, turning over
some Of the grains in his hand. "Does
rice grow like that?"
Certainly. How did you expect 1t to
grow" answered Shorty in his most
nuts, or in the ground, like potatoes?"
"Of course not-of course not" an
swered the officer, trying to recover him
self. Rice is a grain, l believe, and must
therefore grow like grain. But it's very
white, and this must be some other kind"
NO." answered Shorty, implacably,
this is perfectly white, when you peel 1t
beautiful white as you ever saw"
Just so just so," said the Commissary,
hopelessly trying to understand the con-
struction Of the grains, and avoid appear
ing to know less than an enlisted man.
But how do you peel itT
Different folks have different ways"
said Shorty, loftily. Some who are very
particular, and not In a hurry, take a
case-knife; some folks use common husk-
ing-peg, and others just run 'em through
corn-sheller."
Stuff nonsensew said the Commissary,
who was a cock-sure fellow, and disposed
to be airy with the enlisted men. Don't
talk that way to me, Corporal. l know
better than that"
Probably you do" said Shorty, with an
injured air. THE Government pays you
5000 u month for knowing all about COM
missary matters. 1t only pays me SIG