The National tribune., 1901-11-21
whats the news about Sherman he

whats the news about Sherman he
asked.
20, that Beauregard and Bragg and
Hardee have him surrounded in Georgia
swamp, and that he's asked for terms OF
surrender, but they have answered that
the only terms were those Grant gave
Buckner at Donelson-unconditio sur
render"
Don't believe condemned word of
it," said the Deacon, sternly, and turning
sharp gaze on his seat-mate. But the
mans smooth face bore a look of genuine
sorrow, and he pulled out a late copy of
the Western Christian Advocate, and
opened it as if to look over it. The Dea-
cons suspicious abated. No one who
drank whisky and no COpperhead ever
carried around and read the Western
Christian Advocate.
1T comes very straight, SAID the
stranger, smoothing out the paper 1.-The
Governments suppressing the news.
was always afraid of that man Sherman.
He oughtn't to have been allowed to 60
off by himself that way
well. well,' he continued, If it's so
it cannot be helped. Let's hope it is much
exaggerated. Wei wait for fuller iHfor-
think of something else. By the way,
have you noticed this leather strap | have
about my neck? Looks like a hames-
whang, don't it? 1t has little story:
was riding on the Wabash & Great West
ern, the other day, and while we were
lying on switch between State Line ana
Williamsport for an hour or two, waiting
for the st. Louis train, just as we are
now, one of the gentlemen began doing
tricks to pass away the time. He finally
got out a strap like this, which he called
an 'eye-tester,' for it showed how sure and
quick were any mans eyes"
The train had now run on to switch,
SpttlpI down for n long
wait. The stranger spread the Western
Christian Advocate out on his lap and
said:
He took the two ends of the strap be-
tween his thumb and finger just like this
Now watch me closely. He then rolled it
up just this way, and then laid 1t down SO,
and we tried to put lead pencil or our
fingers in SOS to catch the loop when he
unroled it. You try il"
The Deacon had watched him curiously,
and now with the limb of his spectacleS
which he had taken out to read the Cln-
cinnati Gazette when the boy should come
along, poked into one of the holes of the
rollcd-up strap. When it was unrolled it
was found that he had caught the loop.
"Astonishing,' remarked the stranger.
Caught it the first time, too. You must
be a man of remarkable eyes. l think
there must have been 20 of US tried 1t the
other day, and not one caught it the first
good many trials how to do 1t. Let's try
it again"
Deacon caught it.
Two times hand-running,' exclaimed
the stranger Never saw that done be-
fore by anybody"
20. that's dead easy" remarked the
Deacon, beginning TO tire of the game
Anybody with decent eyes can see
through that
I'm Just bet you S25 you can't do that
again." said the stranger, stimulating con-
siderable excitement, speaking loudly ana
spreading an unmistakable odor of whisky. |
you think you're awful smart, and have
eyes to beat a hawks. I've got SO here
that says you can't do it again. Put up
your money, if you've got any spunk."
There was fash of temptation to the
Deacon, in spite of his antipathy against
betting, to learn the smarty lesson, but
as the latter pulled out his wallet there
came with it well-worn copy of Brick
Pomeroy's paper. That and the whisky |
were revelations enough for the Deacon.
you're wolf in sleeps clothing, sir,
he said sternly. You're swindler,
rascal, whited sepulcher. You ought to
he wearing stripes instead OF them clothes.
Now | understand where you got your
news about Sherman"
He picked up his things and stalked
back into the next car. he had scarcely
shaken down his ruffled plumase, and re
lapsed into his usual condition of mind,
when a roughly dressed, long-bearded man
sat down beside him.
.'You live around here?' h inquired.
Yes, down on BeanblOssum Crick-
southwest part of the State. Have a
chawY answered the Deacon, producing
his plug.
"Thankee," said the man. helping him
self literally. I'm glad to see you. l.
was born down in that region-down in
Posey County, but my father moved up
into the north when / was a baby"
80? Good place to be born. What part
of the State do you live in now?"
Don't live in it at all. 1t seems awful
good to get back to it, though, and meet
Christian people. Amt any O. that kind
out where I've bin. l own up l WIS a
pretty wild boy, but I've seen the times
since when l felt I'd give all had in the
world just to hear a church bell ring
a gin. and the people goin' to mestin'."
''So?" said the Deacon, with his heart
warming up toward him. Churches don't
do nobody any harm, but a powerful sight =,