The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-12
81 KLEGG AND SHORTY.
Continued from fourth paEs.)


ones" said the Aid. st haven't tasted
anything so good since l left Ohio. Where
in the world did you get them, Colonel? p
Il don't know. l never ask any ques-
lions. Providence and Aunt Minerva Ann
run my kitchen. l take whatever s set
before me and return thanks"
And such delicious ham, too. I'm sor-
~, Colonel, to requite all this with the
performance of an unpleasant duty. Those
men you lent the General for guides
proved themselves most valuable"
Il m very glad to hear it," said the
Colonel. But l knew they would do
well. They are good representatives of
the 200th Ind"
But after doing so well, and assisting
| in the capture Of the fort, the General
has reason to believe that they were the
ones who succeeded in breaking into the
private stores of Maj. Anderson, the com
mandant of Fort McAllister, and carry
ing away a large amount of his private
property. You see. Gen. Hazen is an old
time friend OF Maj. Anderson and his
! family. When the General was a Lieu
tenant stationed down here, he was quite
intimate with the Anderson family, and
received many favors from them. He was
quite anxious to show every courtesy to
Maj. Anderson, and gave strict orders that
his private property should be carefully
respected. But somehow your men man
aged to get away with the guards, and OBJ
tain property"
Never could have been my men," said
the Colonel warmly. You don't know
those men. I'd trust them with all the
money in the Treasury. That Serg't
hlegg is the soul of honor. / know him
and his family. There isn't better man
in the State than Deacon Klegg, and I'd
trust Serg't klegg or any of his men with
any sum of uncounted money. No, sir;
he wouldn't steal. Have another piece of
this ham, Lieutenant. 1t is very good"
What! Klegg and his crowd stealp'
said the Adjutant, with an expression of
horror. Never in the world. l only
wish everybody was as honest as Serg't
klegg and his squad. Take that other
piece of sausage, Lieutenant. You don't
know when you'll get another like it,
That's true" said the Lieutenant,
helping himself. ''All the same, I'm very
sorry to say that the circumstantial eyi-
dence appeared SO strong to the General
that he sent us to bring the men back to
him for examination. We haven't been
able to find them, and we came on to
you to ask that upon their arrival in
camp you will order them to return to
Gen. Hazen."
Tell Gen. Hazen," said the Colonel,
that just as soon as the men arriye-re-
port Che speedily corrected himself) shall
subject them to the most searching exam
nation, and if any evidence is found L
shall bring them before a court-martial."
why not order them to return at once
to Gen. Hazen's headquartersT
WELL" said the Colonel, debating, as
If about to accede.
Let me see," broke in the Adjutant
Didn't you say that Gen. Hazen had dis
missed them to their regimentF
Yes; | think he did"
We'll, in that case, as they belong to
another corps, and even another army,
they cannot be returned, without orders
from the Generals commanding the corps
and the army
Il didn't think Of that" admitted the
Aid.
well, We'll do all we can," said the
Colonel, cordially. 81 understand precise
" Gen. Hazen's feelings, and he naturally |
feels outraged. Tell him that I'll do all |
can. Hadn't you better lie down in my |
quarters and take a rest before starting |
back? NOi Well, Adjutant, let's have a |
stirrup cup Of that brandy. if there's any |
more, for these gentlemen"
The AdJutant had taken the precaution |
to pour some of the brandy into an empty |
whisky bottle, and now handed it around. |
''Well," said the Aid, looking at the |
bottle, Il never saw such good brandy as |
that come out of a suffers whisky bottle. |
There must have been a mistake in the |
Dottling place, and it was a costly one for |
them"
Give my warmest congratulations to |
Gen. Hazen upon has victory" said the |
Colonel, as they shook hands to ride away. |
Orderly" said the Adjutant, coming |
back to where Pete was vigorously wash
ng the molasses out of Abedrego's hair,
go down to Sergt Klegg and tell him |
quietly that there will be an inspection |
IF his men and quarters tomorrow morn
ng. Tomorrow morning, recollect."
If those boys have any of that stuff |
eft by tomorrow morning." the Adjutant
.huckled to himself as he walked back
o the tent, their appetites are failing.
Tomorrow is as soon as Hazen can expect
report"
CFo be continued. }