The National tribune., 1902-01-16

OH n cavalryman's heavy overcOat, with
out any signs of rank, but men made way
for him. as if he We're accustomed to COM
mand.
4 hush ran through the noisy office, and
every body rose. saluted, and looked eager
ly at the newcomer, as, carcseSSiy re-
turning their saiutes, he strobe over to
the desk, and spoke to the clerk.
That magnate seemed to wit and be-
come almost OhseguIOus. and sent the bell
boys and pOrteIs flying. with cards, mes
Sages and orders.
That's LIcut.-Gcu. Grant" explained
Babes to the Deacon. They all drops
when he comes around
The Deacon strained his eyes 10 get 4
look ut the man who was welding 4 mil
lion soldiers to beat the life out of the re-
bellion.
Everybody throngcd around the Cen
erul, and two or three Major en-
gagged him in conversation. Rather, they
spoke to him, and he answered briefly,
quietly, and to the point
is there anything more, GeneTal?"
presently asked the clerk, in his most ac-
commodating manner. Il will be only
too glad
No; that's all, thank you" answered
the General quietly. Il must hurry
away. Our boat is waiting for us. Good
morning, gentlemen"
As he started out the door his eye fell
ON the Deacon, and the expression on his
face changed from that of cool civility,
which he had worn before the officers.
There was genuinenesS and honesty in the
Deacon's looks, which that keen judge of
men instantly recognized.
Good morning, Judge" he said, put
ting out his hand cordially. Where are
you from"
From Injianny, General answered
the Deacon, grasplng the Generals hand.
Good State. very good soldiers como
from there. Good morning, sir"
And he entered the carriage with his
staff, and drove away.
Don't catch him laying round here,
sucking whisky" remarked Babes" gaz-
ing after him with intense admiration.
He's got business somewhere else, and
he tends to it."
Don't care If that second pen of corn
is gone, I've got the worth of it," said
the delighted Deacon.
The Deacon hurried off to Christian
Commission headquarters, to report his
arrival, and see what was to be done.
He was welcomed with enthusiasm fo3
the fighting around Petersburg and in the
Shenandoah Valley had greatly reduced
the Commissions money and stores, and
there was but little left with which to
meet this new demand.
And those poor men with Sherman
must be in a deplorable state" said the
Agent. Think of what condition an
army must be in after a 2J0-mile march
through an enemy's country. We must
use the telegraph and every other means
to get stores enough to send a ship out OF
here tonight. Hang up your overcoat
there, Mr.. klegg. There's some work for
you"
The Deacon surprised them all by his
willingness, zeal and capability. There
were never any laggardS in the field when
he was there, and lie stirred up the negro
laborers, as they had never been stirred
before, to get the boxes, bales and barrels
out of the warehouses, and on to the
carts.
Mr.. Klegg. yOu surprise and delight
u.s." said the Agent, coming out. I've
just been talking with the Superinten-
dent, and we have decided to send you on
to Savannah with these things. Can you
go?"
Il ought to go right back home. My
farm needs me. and L left my family
without any preparation whatever for my
absence. I've been gone too long al
ready"
Mr.. Klegg, think of those poor men
down there at Savannah" said the Agent
earnestly. This is the Lords work. Do
not let any selfish interest prevent you
doing your duty when it presents itself"
IN co." said the Deacon.
''Get in the carriage, Mr.. Klegg," said
the Superintendent; I'm going to call on
the President and tell him what we are
going to do"
They arrived at the White House just
at the hour of the noon reception, and
found d thrOng in the East Room waiting
for the President to come down.
1t was the usual crowd of one-armed
and one-legged soldiers. just out of the
hospital, of wasted and sorrowful war
widows, of importunate office-seekers, and
of visitors doing the sights of Washing
ton.
The tall, gaunt President came down
with a look of unutterable sadness upon
his worn, rugged face, and took his posi-
ton by the door. He had come from
reading reports of the casualties in the
than he could bear. But he seemed to
gain inspiration and encouragement from
clasping hands with the people, and hear
ing brave words from those who had
given so much for the cause.
He spoke with tender sympathy TO the
widows, holding their hands long in his,
and occasionally scribbling some memor-
andum or order relating to them on his
visiting cards; praised the young sol
diers until they blushed, joilied the office
seekers. and was warmly friendly with
the visitors.
The Superintendent and the Deacon
brought up the rear, and the Superinten-
dent presented the Deacon as lFoh fosey
County, Ind.
'Posey County," said the President
brightly. Il used to be a neighbor Of
yours. L lived several years in Spencer
County, but had to go out on the Illinois
prairies to get room to grow"
Sorry we lost you, Mr.. President, but,
then, Illinois has more need Of great men
than Injiana. We've a supply"
The President chatted for a minute
about Indianians whom he knew, until
the Superintendent broke in with:
Mr.. President, we must go. We are
getting ready a ship-load of stores for
Army, and we want to start
It ont tonight"
The sadness came into the Presidents
face again.
Gen Sherman's done Il great work,
ne said, which will go far toward end
ng the war: but I'm afraid to know what
[ has cost in human life and suffering.
All great things cost so terribly. Go, and
fod speed you
'I'll leave you here at Wizards. get
'Our dinner ard pay your bill" said the
"and come back in an
lour to take you to the ship"
The Deacon was in such eXaltatiOn over
lis interview with the President that
,either the oyerpOwering clerk nor the
till more OyerpOwering head-waitcr had
my terrors for him. He had been COM
nuning with their immeasurable super
ors. No matter how they looked and
cted. they were small potatoes along
lido cf his friends the General of the