The National tribune., 1901-11-21
81 K!leqq
hAsdnd -
:)o Shorty
On the havch to the Sea
Copyrighted 1899, BY the publishers Of THE NAroNAL
TRIBUSE.

Copyrighted 1892 by the publishers OF THE NATIONAL
TRIBuNE.
Deacon Klegg Starts for Indianapolis and
lis in With All Sorts and Conditions of
Men
Where in time did they get all the
bones for these shad, l wonder?" ex-
claimed 81, picking out the thread-like
little spines from q luscious mouthful.
Seems as if they'd been feeding on this
tle-dOwn, and then starched 'em up into
wires. If it wasn't for the bones the
angels couldn't get anything better to eat
in Heaven than shad. Probably the shad
there don't have no bones"
There wasn't no bones in the shad
down here until the South seeded"
Shorty unblushingly asserted. Then Abe
Lincoln couldn't take the shad away from
en-, as he did the Quinine, coffee. salt and
dress goods, so he ordered the blockaders
10 gather up the ravclings from the fac
tories where they make the steel for hoop
skirts, and mix with the grub the shad
ct. That'll account for it.
Shades of MunchauSen," exclaimed
the Adjutant. reaching for another slice
of the shad. IF | had the imagination of
Shorty | wouldn't do n thing hut write
dime novels, and I'd get ont a fresh one
every day that would put a mattress curl
upon the readers head. Shorty, | want
your help when | come to write out the
Colonel's report of this campaign.
want to make an agreeable variation from
the usual dull recital of everyday doings
by throwing in a few ornate fancies."
will | be excused from guard duty
on that account" asked Shorty. Il didn't
used to mind walking beat. when l was
Il private, but it frizzles my soul TO have
to carry water to some yclper, who just
wants to stir up the non-cOms. My think
er needs more exercise than my legs, any
way. | haven't had to hatch out many
ideas since you and the Colonel kindly
took the job of thinking off my hands,
while | have had to use my legs consid-
cradle"
Eyes. You shall be excused from guard
duty" answered the Adjutant, laughing.
You'll be credited with extra duty mt
headquarters, supplying the Adjutant with
such lies as he needs"
Great Jehosephat," groaned Shorty.
What job! How can L ever work up
to it?"
There's one thing sure" said ST, lean
ing back in full content from what he felt
to be the most luxurious meal he had ever
eaten. unbottoning his blouse, and feeling
around for his pipe. There's one thing
sure. If we're going to lay around doing
nothing, and eating this way, the Quar-
termasterll have to issue us new uni
forms three sizes larger. | feel the seams
on mine cracking now. | won't eat any
more of that shad simply because | can't
hold anv more"
why couldn't We nave struck a bill
of-fare like that some of those days when
we was holler clear to the toes!" COM
planned Shorty. Don't seem to me that
we can do it justice, on top of oysters
and so many other good things
There had been social in the Bean
blossom Greek Baptist Church to raise
money for the Christian Commission, and
it had been unusually successful. Crops
had been very good, and prices high. The
war spirit ran strongly, and everybody
gave with great liberality. Deacon klegg
and his fellow trustees counted over the
big pile of greenbacks with undisguised
satisfaction.
Though the Lord at times lays His
hand heavily upon our people, yet they
are very grateful" murmured the pastor
revercntly.
ut will get a great many little com
forts and necessaries for the poor boys i'll
the hospitals" said Uncle Billy Lorimer,
smoothing ont the bills, and counting them
over again, with great cOntentment. ut
may save many valuable lives for the
country. 1t may save the lives of some
of our own sons"
well, if it saves any mans life, or
even eases his bed of pain" said Deacon
hleES. II WIN htll upDt. OlhtA iAi'i
SONS are just as good as ours, and deserve
as much What we may do for them is
a duty and "A privilege, since they are
fighting our battles. But it may return
to our own sons after many days, like
bread cast upon the waters"
Deacon" said Uncle Billy Lorimer,
after a final survey of the pile, and ad-
dressing himself to Mr.. Klegg, Il think
you'd better take this up u Indianapolis
yourself It's good bit of money
TO trust TO the express in tlese train-rOb-
bling times. and, besides, you ought to see
these Christian Commission people, and
lCOk 'em over, and git acquainted with
'em. Then, too, one of us ought to see
Gov. Morton and have a square talk with
him about the way things is running
dowa here. We've been thinking about
that for long time, and layin' out for
some of us to go up to Indianapolis. /
can't leave home now, and | think you
ought TO GO
That limited at the way public affairs
were managed in those days in Indiana.
The solid old farmers in each community
got together, and talked over what course
was best to pursue, consulted and advised
with the men they had elected to repre-
sent them ut the County and State cap
itals. and whatever was finally deter
mined upon went" if iron will and cour-
age could carry it through. 1t was men
Of this stamp who were the solid, IN
Welding backing to the armies in the
field. Politicians had their little day,
fumed, fretted, intrigued, pursued their
devious COURSES rose and fell-but these
plain old farmers held the real reins of
power, and the destinies of the country
in their horny hands. When a man
showed capacity, honesty and courage in
doing what they wanted done, they
pushed him forward to the limit Of his
powers. When man failed them. was
untrue TO their principles, or showed lack
of courage, he was thrown to one side
like Il broken tool, and another man tried.
They were men Of the loftiest patriotism
and morality, and unfinchingly stubborn
in carrying out their ideas of what the
country should be.
Yes. Brother Hlegg, you had better
go up to Indianapolis yourself. take the
money, look over the Christian Commits
sion people, and have a long talk with
Morton" chorused all the rest. I'VE want
to know just how things is running, and
if there's anything in the wind"
As he had gotten everything on his
farm in good shape for the Winter, the
Deacon was not at all reluctant to accept
the mission. The next morning, having
installed Maria as his viceroy during his
absence and instructed her in the rou-
tine that little Sammy and Abraham Lin
coin should be made to follow, he, with
Mrs. Klegg's assistance, prepared for the
journey very much as he got ready for
church.
When he at last emerged from the
white-curtained bedroom his broad, full
face was marked like a war-map, with
strips and bits of court-plaster.
The DeacOn'S skill with the AK, rifle and