The National tribune., 1901-06-20

them, but he subsequently heard from the
iraScible Surgeon, who 'cussed him up one
side and down the other" for sleeping on
his post, or in the wagon, permitting the
''nighthawk foragers' to steal the ''medi-
cine"
GEN. BRECKENRIDGE DISAPPOINTED.
Upon a certain occasion Gen. Brccllin-
ridge and his staff, all having the Ken
tucky thirst" were invited to the Sur
geOn's quarters, and as an incentive to be
assured that the distinguished gentlemen
would honor him by responding to his in.
vitatiOn, Maj. Scott Hospitality Informed
them that he had several gallons Of
mountain dew" which, as a physician,
he could recommend as good medicine.
The whole cayalcade, with watering
mouths" promptly rode to the big Medi-
cine Mans" quarters, and he, knowing
what they wanted most, forthwith, like
st. Paul, prescribed something for the
stomach's sake" But alas, the raiders"
had again outwitted the wagon guards
man, and the genial host was forced to
make the humiliating confession to his
thirsty guests that he could not deliver
the wet goods"-and L thought the
superb Breckinridge regretted the fact
even more than did his wOuld-be hOspita-
BILE host.
Capt. Shuck Whitaker, at another time,
being midnight, and gallantly marched up
the hill to the Surgeons wagon, put the
guards to ignominious fight, captured a
whole barrel of spiritus frumenti, and
effected one of the most mastery retreats
known in the annals of our little Ken
lucky brigade. Whitaker was the same
Smooth, good Christian" who eloquently
talked to the good woman" while his
five men were removing" five turkeys
from the fence behind the barn, illustrated
a few weeks ago in The National Tri-
bune.
BITTER MEDICINE.
In ante-bellum days, as now, many sub
stantial people of my native city, Louis
vile, had country homes In beautiful Pc
wee Valley, not far from the city.
Two prominent young society bellies
drove into the city from Pewee Valley in
1861 At that time Louisville was under
martial law and the two "unsophisticated"
young ladies found that Fedora! head
quarters had been established i'll their ele
CANT city home. The two girls were in
the habit of driving into town almost
daily, usually unattended. OF martial
law, which had just been declared, they
knew nothing. When they started to re-
turn to their Pewee Valley residence, they
were halted on the boundary line between
city and country and their passports po-
litely but firmly demanded. OF course
they had no passpOrts-had never heard
of such things in Old Kentucky, especially
In Louisville. Very eloquently and seduc-
lively they pleaded with the guard to let
them go lust this one time" However, the
guard was obdurate, the pretty talk and
smiles of beautiful women in distress hav
ing no appreciable effect.
The girls drove back into the city and
requested a friend who stood in with
the Federals," to secure the necessary
passports. He told them there would be
no trouble about the matter, it being mere
returned and said: Girls, it is more seri-
Gus than l had supposed. | told the officer
that | wanted passports for two children,
but he refused, got into a towering rage,
and said for all he knew the two children
might be rank Confederate spies" The
friend then told the young women that it
would be necessary for them TO accompany
him to headquarters and see what could
be done.
Upon their arrival at headquarters va
rious feelings of emotion stirred their
young hearts, as they gazed about and
noticed the transformation of their dear
domestic altar into such q martial array
The familiar rooms and halls were decor
ated with flags and banners, and various
munitions of war. A "horrid cannon" in
the yard guarded the front portal.
The officer in charge informed them that
before he could write the passport it
would be necessary for them to take the
oath of allegiance.
Both promptly informed him that they
would take it," not knowing the bitter
ness thereof. However, when the officer
proceeded to read ''the oath" the girls be-
came more and more interested and finally
awoke TO a full comprehension of the
| oath OF allegiance"
"Are you going to take it?' asked one
"Are you" said the other
"Of course I'm not. Why, sister, we
| could not so much as pray for our dear
kinspeople and friends down in Dixie.
InexOrably, the officer propounded the
query:
"Will yotf take itT
"No; we will not take it.'
"Then you will have to stay in the
sity."
Passing into the street the girls, dis