The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-06-06
CHAPTER XIII.

rebuild ruined bridge, several miles be-
yond the picket lines. which would give
us the use OF a road by which we might
increase our capacity for threa tening the
enemy. All the material. even 10 the
nooring was TO be cut from the woods
near the little river
The first two days OF this work uouid
have been very happy ones TO me but for
single circumstance. All day long there
wandered among us the farmer who own
ed the young pine forest from which we
were cutting ohr timber. and his face
looked as IL his family were dying one by
one Win no doctor or medicine within
reach. Had he lost his temper and sworn
AT us we could have got rid OF him and
our uncomfortable feelings, but he was
gentle slow spoken, tired looking man.
Ike the American farmer OF almost any
other state, and he told us how he had
been saving that bit OF woods from the
time he married. so that the timber upon
II should pay for educating his sons when
they grew up and also TO give himself
and his wife a little money with which
TO see something OF the world after the
boys married and the farm was divided
between them. Now II all was being
swept away and without a word OF warn
Ing or a cent OF pay
We'll. sir" said our captain kindly.
I'm awfully sorry for you. but It's one
or the fortunes OF war A fuif half of nv
company are young men who ought TO be
In college or learning some business by
which 10 live and perhaps provide for
their parents later years: but. so far as
their future Is concerned their time is be-
Ing wasted about as thoroughly as your
property"
II suppose that's true" said the farm
er. looking around at the men at work.
You've got some likely looking young
fellows. But that don't give me back my
trees"
Very WELL" said the captain. "the gov
ernment will pay you the full value OF
your trees n you will certify and prove
that you are and always have been a true
and loyal citizen OF the United States
and have never given aid or comfort to
the enemy"
The farmer stopped looking gentle and
tired as he replied;
I've given the Confederacy my three
sons. and I'm proud OF It,"
That's square. honest talk" said the
captain, "but II brings US back 10 the
fortunes OF war again"
II didn't bring on the war" said the
farmer
II believe you." said the captain.
II only went with my state" continued
the farmer. God knows never wanted
except a ioafer or two"
Twas the same way with me and my
neighbors" said the captain. II suppose
II we on our side and you on your side
had been more particular about the men
we sent 20 congress and to the legisla-
tures-if we had thought more OF our
country and less OF our party. there
wouldn't have been any war"
There's right smart lot OF sense in
a
reflection Then he looked sad eyed and
continued. But II doesn't give me back
my trees"
AS the farmer wandered away offered
the captain an argument or two which
seemed TO me first class clinches OF the
rightfulness OF his position. but he smiled
sadly and replied:
mans head when his hearts turned mp
side down"
But began.
"Oh. go back TO your AK interrupted
the captain. ANY logic that ] have
need for use upon myself II you live
through the war and have a farm and
family OF your own some day and look
back TO this particular time, you'll prob
ably believe that I'm about as unhappy
over this work as the farmer Is at his
loss"
was made so wretched for two days
by this sad eyed farmers manner that ]
tried to devise ways of escaping H. II
wasn't long before / found one. Many of
our logs had TO be hoated TO the point
where we were massing the timebr pre-
paratory for use. and II was not easy for
men walking along the shore with long
poles in their hands TO prevent an occa-
sional log from drifting out of reach and
escaping us entirely ] suggested to the
captain that a single rowboat or n skin
would help us greatly and the captain
agreed with me. but wanted to know IL
had never heard that for military reasons
all boats on streams In fighting country
were destroyed
'If southern boys are as smart as
northern boys" said I. 81 guess a boat
or two escaped and lie hidden away In
the bushes somewhere along the shore"
couldn't forget how many times had
stumbled over boats while roaming
along the edge Of creeks and ponds not
far from our village up north.
VERY WELL" said the captain. with an
sdd smile. III that Is true and northern
boys are az smart as southern boys, you
may 20 and find one OF those boats Take
two or three men with you. Don't go
without carbines. And be In a hurry about
H. We do need a boat"
Hurrahl Here was to se an outing that
would bring back a taste OF old times. /
wasn't long I'm selecting my party.
Brainard almost danced with Joy when
asked him 10 come along and two other
Fellows about as old as we begged to go
with us. Just before we started the cap
tain handed he a canteen OF whisky, tell
ms me not to use any unless some one
SeiI into the water. in which case I was
to dose him frequently. few swallows
~ n time We were on the search within
= ouarter OF an hour. and ! felt year
vo,,nrer IN each successive I'VE minutes.
blessed be naturei There isn't much dif-
ference 'twixt north and south as to the
underbrush and dry leaves along the
hanks OF small streams during winter. IL
vas almost as jolly trip AZ II we were
eut chestnuttins in the woods about Sum-
uarton. Once I'm a while we would startle
a sauirrei and long to fre at him IL was
=, hard 10 be bound by the rule toi nre
A. nothing but the enemy when outside
eur own picket lines, What enemy could
Near MS. anyway There was no road
within three miles except that which was
broken by the bridge. The temptation 10
-. k.~.rs sttfi sfronepr when we saw