The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-01-24

toned to 81 to come on 10 Wheele
passed majesticahy through the counters
/ followed by the others
Hold ON, there presently called on
Walsh. There's some steers branded C
D, Captain; they're trying to ring in SOM
outside cattle"
Just as l expected" sneered the Cap
tain. Il knew you hadn't your number
and you've been stealing from the coun
try. But you can't do it. l warned you
not to attempt it. Turn those cattle ou
at once"
But, Captain, let me explain" sale
Shad.
Il don't want any of your explanations
SIR. Explanations are not in my line
Make them to someone else Turn thos,
cattle out, and bring on what you have
left"
1t was a hard job cutting out the C. S
cattle, as they had worked themselves int
the middle of the drove; but 81 at las
accomplished it, while Shad stood by anC
listened to the Captains condemnation OF
the slack, tricky volunteers, and his OWL
praises of his infexible honesty and un.
paralleled shrewdness. Il shall prepare
charges against you for this attempted i'm
position, sir" he informed Shad. And
it will go hard with your shoulder-straps
SIR
81 worked the c. s. cattle around to the
| rear, and Shad waited patiently for the
result. Presently Walsh reported
Full 500 have passed through, Cap.
| tain, all correctly branded"
"Eh, what's that, Walsh:" inquired the
Captain, looking over the drove, and then
back at the 90 cattle still remaining. You
are sure of your countP'
Perfectly sure, Captain" responded
Walsh.
There was just 500, and no mistake
Captain" said Peters, saluting
Strange" said the Captain, frowning
But I've got to give you your receipt
Wilkins, fill out a receipt for 500 cat.
tie to Mr.. Shadrach Graham, and bring
it out, with a pen"
But, Captain" interjected Shad, ave
30 more here that l want to turn over to
you. Let me explain"
Il tell you, sir, explanations are not in
my line. l have no time to listen to them
| have no business with any other cattle
than those you were ordered to deliver to
me-
But can't we turn these in with yours
We want to get rid of them"
mo, sir; you cannot. Not for min
ute, sir. l don't want to know how and
where you got the cattle. Probably the
Provost Marshal will have to make the in
quiries. L want no complication with
them. Take them away from here at once.
sir, and take them beyond all my corrals
Walsh, you and Peters mount and ride
along, and see that these cattle are taken
outside of my lines, and kept there"
The Captain handed Shad his receipt,
and without saluting turned on his heel,
and walked back into his tent.
Accompanied by the vigilant Walsh and
Peters 81 drove the cattle on for a mile
or more with increasing trouble, for the
beasts were getting hungry, and they
smelled the forage issued out in the cor
rails on either side of the road They
made break for pile of fodder near the
top of the hill, but Walsh and Peters, as
sisted by the men in charge, drove them
off and back into the road.
They were now past the cattle corrals,
and Shorty, who had begun swearing at
the Captains tent, made n final effort and
bistered everything in the army, particu-
larly the men who had graduated from
West Point. The rest gathered around
and listened admiringly to his fluent ex-
preston of their own burning feelings"
MY friend" said calm, gentle voice
from outside the circle. You really must
not swear that way. It's awful to hear
you taking the name of your Maker in
vain. You will have to answer for that
some day at the Judgment Seat"
They all looked up, and saw that the
speaker was q smallish man, riding a good
horse, and wearing a soldiers oyercoat,
with an officers cap. The newcomer had
but one arm. Excuse me, Chaplain,
said Shorty, choking himself off; Il didn't
mean to swear before you. But | don't
know as you've got any business around
here. This is a matter If cattle driving.
and Chaplains who know their business
keep away from mules and cattle, ard SO
save their ears
But I'm not Chaplain" said the new
conner, quietly. I'm Gen. Howard. com
handing this wing of the army. and IFS
against my orders to indulge in profanity
at any time or for any cause. You'll re-
member that in future, and govern your
self accordingly"
Returning the sautes of the men tbe
General rode on, without waiting for re-
ply.
$50 that's Howard, is it 2" said ST. look
ing after him. He's good soldier and
a brave man, but han have IL sweet time
getting his trains through without swear
ing"
The road they were now going over led
between corrals of mules. From every
one of these men rushed out yelling at
Shorty and Shad to take those cattle back
where they belonged, and not bring them