The National tribune., 1902-02-13

Aunt Minerva Ann. have Jon got that
plate for the Col0nelT'
mo, Sergeant" said Aunt Minerva
Ann decidedly. an I amt a-gxiDe TO. till
he properly compares hisself fur de bank
wet. No gentleman can eume 10 my table
frumeutous and conspirin' from a huss-
back ride. Let him dress for dinner. as
u gentleman should"
Aunt Minerva Ann ranks all OF rs,
Colonel" laughed 81. trying TO relieve the
awkwardness Of the situation. for he
knew the woman well enough TO under
stand when she was ''sUt." This is her
dinner. not ours"
And, by Jove, she is right" said the
Colonel. most Unexpectedly; but table ETH
quet appealed to him with peculiar force
No gentleman has the right to appear at
any dinner-tab'c without some cleansing
and preparation. Show me a place where
can wash and brush up a little. ask
your pardon. Mistress of the Feast
This is the holiday OF soldering. re-
marked the Colonel to the Deacon, as the
supper drew on toward its close. 81 never
read or heard of enlisted men living like
this-hetter than officers generally do"
II should say better than they ever do
can't imagine President Lincoln lives as
we'll as this every day commented the
Deacon.
II agree with YOU" said the Colonel. Il
have been to q number of dinners at the
White House, and do not recall one that
enjoyed the food as much as this But
there comes into my mind fear. While
like to see my men live well, and have
every possible comfort that can be given
them | am always afraid Of coddling sol
dicrs too much. War is stern business,
ard men do not enlist to sleep on feather
beds, and feast on dainties. ! am much
afraid that such luxurious living will tend
to soften the men so that they will not
he willing to give it up. and face the hard-
ships of the field. Sherman may have
injured-probably seriously injured-his
army by this. I have read in ancient his
tory how Hannibal melted away his army
by just Such luxurious living.
Il have thought Of that myself. re-
nlied the Deacon. at usually takes a
boss which has been running in a cloyer
field long time to get his grass-he ly
off. and come down to be really good for
hard work. ! feel that if | wore these
boys I'd want to stay here forever, and
to bang the head off of anybody who
talked about leaving"
The sound of loud cheering in the neigh
boring camp came up on the crisp evpn-
ing air. and became mOmeptarily more
general and enthusiastic. The Colonel
and Adiutant rode IN.
"Hello, boys," called ont the volatile
Adiutant cyuberantly; I've got good news
for you. The orders to move have COME
1T last. This time for sure. and right off.
The Seventeenth Corrs will start tomnr-
row, and the rest of the army viii follow
right along. We've lust come from the
Seventeenth Corps. They're wild over the
good news, and have got -hn bands out
and are building bOnfires and having a
great time"
The effect of the Adjutant's announce
ment was electric Everybody forgot at
once all about the sumntuOuS meal. and
Aunt Minerva AIMS stately etiquet. They
sprang M and yelled as if to snlit their
lungs, danced around and ran for some
thing with which to build bonfires.
''T'm going to get out the brigade band"
shouted the Adintant. when an oppor-
tunity came to make himself heard 'I
want it to play Garry me back to Ole
Virginny.' There's where we're bound for,
bows. Well take Richm"rd and end the
war" Ito be continued)