The National tribune., 1902-11-13

pie who hated and vilifed everything and
everybody in my old home, that it seems
| like an escape from bondage to be among
men from my own State, and hear voices
that sound like that those used to at
home"
"Hum," muttered Shorty. pulling up his
collar, wasn't aware I'd been saying
much"
'NIadam. the cook says he has your
breakfast ready, and would like to have
you come" said ST. "We'll carry your
children"
"No, leave them in the wagon" she said.
'":hey are very tired, and are still sleep
| ing. I'll accept your cooks invitation with
1pleasure, for the smell Of that coffee is
most enticing."
Otterbein Kramer had done his best to
make the breakfast worthy of their guest.
| A half of n shelter tent, washed clean.
served as table-clOth, and was spread
over the tailboad of wagon. supported
on pine stump. A cracker box. with a
folded blanket for a cushion, formed a
seat for the lady. A tin plate and cup,
knife and fork, as clean as securing could
make them, marked her place, and as she
took her seat, Kramer brought her, on
pieces of toasted hard-tack, chicken
which he had carefully broiled to deli
cate turn, and filled her cup with fragrant
coffee. Then he brought her some thin
slices Of ham, daintily broiled, light bis
cults, and sweet potatoes Clipped and
grilled in ham-fat She ate what was set
before her with a keen relish which de-
lighted the boys. 1t was such compli-
ment to Kramer's skill, too.
Il notice you gentlemen are not eating
she remarked looking up at the boys who
were maintaining respectful distance.
"Why not?"
"After you, ma'am," said 81, with elab-
crate attempt at courtesy. "WeH wait
for our breakfast till you've had yours"
Nonsense" she said, with charming
imperativeness when l breakfast with
gentlemen / expect to breakfast with them
| not before nor after. l shall stop at
once, until you all begin"
This was considered in the nature of an
| order which must be obeyed. 1t was a
lady's command, about which there could
be no question, and to hesitate would be
rudeness.
They attacked their own breakfasts with
an alacrity sobered and chastened by q
| ladys presence.
Presently the Adjutant came up, and
viewed the scene with surprise.
Mrs. Wimple," said he, 81 came over
| to present the cOlonel's compliments, his
hopes that you have slept well, and his
invitation to do him the honor to break
fast with him."
''Thank you very much," said she.
please tell the Colonel slept very well,
awakened by your firing that-that-
salute l think you called it, but went to
sleep again Immediately.
| The Adjutant looked questioningly and
a little sterniy at ST and Shorty, who re-
sponded with furtive winks.
''As for breakfast" continued she, "you
see your COlonels invitation has been an
| ticipated. While l would have enjoyed a
breakfast with him, am sure l could not
have refished it any more than this one.
One better cooked and served l never
tasted"
IF you want my frank opinion" said
the Adjutant, II think you were in luck
to get your breakfast here rather than
with us. This is generally the best mess
in the regiment, and l always break into
| it when l can get chance"
won't you sit down now, Adjutant? ?'
said 81. "You know very well you're al
| ways more than welcome"
mo, stern duty cOmpels me to grace the
Colonel's board this morning. But you can
expect me whenever I'm not putting busi-
ness before pleasure"
jutaht?" asked 81, rising and formally
saluting.
"We are striking for Fayetteville, you
know" answered the Adjutant 'The
General has given up the hope of outfank-
ing Hardee, and getting between him and
Beauregard, or rather, our old acquain-
lance, Joe Johnston, who has just super
seded Beauregard"-
what, Joe Johnston again in front of
usg
"Yes, JEFF. Davis has had to put old Joe
in command again, though it went awfuIly
against the grain. JEFF. Davis hates John
ston as only this band of brothers can hate
one another. But every one he has tried
in his place-HOod, Bragg and Beaure-
gard-has been such a mOrtifying failure
that he is compelled to restore old Joe. But
it's too late. A hundred Joe JOhnstons
with q ton Of saltpeter, coaldn't save the
Southern Confederacy now"
"But well hardly be allowed to galli-
want about the country as we've been do
ing" yentured Si. It'll be more like the
Atlanta campaign, I suppose"
"May be, and may be not. Joe John
ston hasn't the army he had on the At
10 IN os<vv, hv csvhk Il 6oA