The National tribune., 1902-03-06

with him. pushed on through the rain fol
Sisters Ferry
NO Shad," responded 81; I'VE like you
awfuly well, and want to be with you
But road-making and bridge-building amt
in our line. Its hard enough to get us
to work the roads at home and in Sum
mer. and we didn't enlist for that kind
of trouble"
:: Specially where feller ought to have
/. fins and fiippers and rubber coat, TO do
good work" intcricctcd Shorty.
You come go with us. Shad.'' said ST.
III he glad to serve under your com
maud. and so will all the rest
That's so.' agreed Shorty. You'll get
| away from old Boncstccl which will he
a grateful delivera1cc. You'll be where
you'll lead the procession right through
| South Carolina-mcbbe into Charleston
which will he still greater joy"
! No" answered Shad. resolutely. I'm
going TO stay right with the pontoons.
There's where I'm needed most, and | came
/ into the army to do the most | could for
/ the country. It'd be enough sight pleas
antcr to be scouting with you boys. but /
didn't enlist to pick UP pleasant things.
but to do the most | could to put down
I the rebellion. This sort of thing" and he
cast his eyes around on through fhc in
ccSSant down-pOur on the muddy roads and
SWirlinS cNpansc of muddy streams. sis
going 10 continue indefinitely We must
expect it for months. South Carolina is
little better than quagmidc. The army
will be hardly able to move Il mile until
it is corduroyed. staged or pOniooncd.
have foreseen this. and been preparing for
it. Wherever | could get an idea that
promised to help in this work. I've sat up
nights TO study it. I've tried to think out
just what could be done best and quick
est under every possible circumstance. and
with all kinds of things to get the army
| forward. 1t may save us from defeat
sometimes. I've selected this as my post
of duty, and / am going to stay right by
it,
He cOughcd once or twice while speak
ing. and 81, looking ut him more closely.
saw that he was very thin. and had sus-
pici0usly bright spots in his cheek.
''lou amt well, Shad." said 81, sym
pathctically. you've got mighty bad
cold. that may rup into something. Why
don't you go bacl, to Savannah and take
care of yOurself:"
ITS worse than y COLI. ST. answered
Shad. Doctor says that the scurvy there
in Andersonyile affected INV lungs |
picked up n little after we got out. and
seemed to he getting along all right. until
the cold weather set in, when | relapscd.
| went to the Surgeons there in Sayan-
nah. and they wanted to send me home,
and said | wouldn't live three months if
| went wading around in the water with
the bridge-train. But my heart was set
on this work, and | told them that three
nInnfhs pf IL bpfnfuP fh.. Ia
worth more than 30 years at home. and
| was g0ine.'
Come along with us. Shad.'' pleaded
81. ''HOsSback ridiHg's said 10 be very
good for the lungs. Leave this mud and
water"
Small chance for anybody to leave mud
and water, / should say" answered Shad.
looking around, Everybody will have to
take his share. III take mine alongside
the bridge train. Well, if You won't stay.
boys. good-by, and good luck to you. |
must see TO getting my men under some
sort of shelter"
Great Jehosephat. didn't anybody ever
live in this neck of woodS?" asked Shorty
as they rode on without sight of habita-
ton. 1T seems too poor for even 81
Georgy cracker. and where they won't
live Jobs turkey would fly FROM
There's some sort of Il building over
there" said 81. pointing. through the
showers. to an indistinct outline near the
waters of the next creek.
1t proved TO be an old log meeting
house, hut rarely. used of late years for
the paths leading to it We're overgrown
with wire grass, briars and ld-ficld pines
1.-The Gospel field in these parts seems
badly neglected. and growed up with
tares." remarked Shorty. as he pushed his
way through the dripping branches. and
recognized the building: but if the roof
NrHTI .Iss af..,.
thanksgiving than the old Hard Shell
shack ever heard"
Good" exclaimed 81. pulling open the
door. which had silgged down on its wood !
en- hinges: ''the benches and pulpit are
there. and there's fireplace. where they
used to warm their dinners. between ser
mons. WHY. this has all the comforts of
Il home. Them benches are splendid fire
wood
"ReligiOn's great thing for the coun-
try" said Shorty. picking up one of the !
heavy puncheon benches and beginning to
smash it on the hearth. ''Tear the boards |
often that pulpit. Sandy and Pete. and /
bring 'em here for kindling. Sorry to do |
this in a church, but necessity knows no |
law. Besides, this is an old worn-out one. |
where they have bin preaching secession |
I'm mighty thankful. though that sufIi- |
cient of the spirit of the Lord penetrated |
these heather parts to stir the fellows
who built tE;a church. Well be careful |
not to hurt the place any more than we
can help. 1t won't be much of trick to
make some more of these puncheon-
benches"
The bright blaze, fed by the dry wood,
leaped up in the fireplace with more cheer
and comfort than it seemed they had
known for months, so long the few days
of rain appeared to have lasted.
Il declare" said ST, pulling off his wet
one by one, and hanging them
around to dry. Its almost worth going
through all that we have for the last few
days to find such place as this The
trouble was. we did not know how well off
we was in Sapanny, and didn't enjoy our
selves as we ought to-"
"All the same, we just had pecks o.
fun" commented Pete, who had stripped
TO his shirt and drawers and was sticking
out his blue little feet to the fire. Il never
that ,ihere was as much fun in
the world"
Boys, we mustn't forget our hosses,"
said 81, as he began to feel little warm
Lets 20 out and make them as com
Portable as possible"
They brought their saddles and brides
in, tied their horses under the shelter of
a thick-grOwing grove of holly at the edge
Of the country graveyard. and gave them
slender rations of corn and oats. Their
stock of forage. as well as their own COM
missary supplies, was now running very
low.
Tomorrow sees the bottom of the meal
Tub remarked Shorty, as they began get
ing supper. I'VE must strike something e,
an, hn