The National tribune., 1901-10-31

ON THE BOATS"
the others jumped from their horses, and
cut some switches, with which they ad-
mOnisbed the more virago-like to let their
weaker sisters have a fair show.
| One rather stout woman of 80 or
thereabouts was seen tOiling along with
sack of meal on her shoulder, while
she kept the others at bay by swinging
u small ham menacingly at each that
showed an intention of approaching.
DE way dat moll swings her right
duke" critically remarked Patsy the
Kinch. who had come up on one of the
spare horses, reminds me of me mudder.
When she leads out wild her right dere
amt nothing safe in 10 foot o. her-no
dere hain't. Wy, bung me eyes, it is me
mudder. Here-mudder-m It's
Patsy. Trow dat dere stuff on de boss
here, an get on youzself. I'll git youze
lot more. You've shall have all youze
kin eat now, de rest o youze life. Come,
git on de- hoSs."
He rode over to her, and jumped off,
but she refused to mount With Pete's
and Sandy's assistance a quantity of pro-
visions were gathered up and loaded on
the horse. Patsy and his mother would
walk alongside and help hold it on.
is de Confedrits all gone, mudder?"
asked Patsy.
Yes" she answered. all padded de
hoof 'crost de river, 'cept dem dat
sneaked away and deserted. Dere's some
down on de ironclad Savanny in de river,
and on de gunboats. and dey say dey're
goin' to blow de dayliShts out OF de Yam
KEGS as dey come into town."
"Gunboats-ironclad?" said 81. over
hearing. That sounds interesting
Push on, Sergeant" said the Colonel
who had come up. We'll take care of
this mob, and see that the ladies are sup
Dliel before oDyhody piSp ~
They entered the city and pushed along
the wide, well-shaded streets, with fine
buildings and grounds on either side.
Never before had they seen any of the
cities of men so inviting. 1t was so old,
rich-looking and substantial. Every man
had built in years long past, as if money,
material and ground were trifles. but
space and comfort everything. The court
yards around the houses were filed with
trees and Shrubbery, as green and bloom
ing now at Christmas tide as in Spring
time at the North.
Their horses hoofs sank deep into the
soft sand All the pavements had been
taken up to use in obstructjons to the
harbor, and their horses could only move
at slow walk. The city seemed deadly
still. House servants pickaninnies,
youths, girls, boys, young men and wOm-
en-, mlddle-aged and old, black and saddle
colOred-stood inside the yards and gazed
at them with open eyes and mouths: lid
den behind Venetian blinds, their mis-
tresses looked with equal curiosity.
After their long sojourn in the wilder
ness any city was likely to look very at
tractive to them, but this seemed an earth
ly paradise, and the houses such palaces
as they had read of in fairy tales and
romanceS.
Shorty caught himself planning how he
could get just such n one as the finest
IN -nIt1A hnr
with much more modest abode. if he
could have only had Annabel there to fill
1t with sweetness and light. She would
make any house palace for him.
They reached a great public square,
embellished with a statue to Count Pu-
laski, the gallant Pole. who fell in the de
ferse of the city against the British, and
turned into the main street leading along
the river.
They were astonished to see a column
of Union soldiers marching toward them
ill quick time.
"How-where in the world did they
come from?' asked Si, astonished
They've got red stars on. They be-
long to the Twentieth Corps" said Shorty.
They must have come from the other
side"
Sergeant, where did you come from
What are you doing here?" imperatively
inquired Major riding out from the ad- |
Eanclng troops. ou VIII have to turn |
back. Go back at once, sir, to your
camps"
Indeed, I'll not said ST. Were here |
by our Colonefs orders, and we're going |
to stay, or rather go ahead, until he or
ders us to stop"
Indeed, you are not" said the Major |
"Our orders are to turn back all troops
entering the city"
"Well, my orders are to go ahead, and |
I'm going ahead" said Si stubbOrnly
YOU'RE not going ahead, | tell you,"
said the Major. motioning to his men to
go into line.
you'd better get that crowd out of the
way, if you don't want it hurt said /
Shorty, whose passion famed up, with its
customary Quickness. You've no busi-
ness monkeying with us. You're skylark-
ing with buzz-saw when you're under
taking to play horse with the 200th Ind
Col. McGillicuddy saw trouble brewing,