The National tribune., 1902-09-25

i Inc army cpuldl nnd an abundance o
meat, but it was very short on bread.
The waters had been so high that tn
mills could NOT ruth, and all the meal il
the country was gone.
The boys had several substitutes To-
bread, but none that would quite take it
place. Vans were fair eating, and quit,
filling, but they had no staying qualities
An hour or two after boy had eater
Of them all he could hold, they were gone
and he was os hungry as before. Stock
peas made good rich soup, but men wht
were marching 25 or 80 miles day
through the mud and rain, cordurOyini
fully half the way, and wading creek:
Ibreast-deep, wanted something better thar
soup. They had plenty Of corn, it is true
but corn is not bread. None Of the va
riOus expedients approached the satisfac
tion and staying power of baked loaf.
Parched corn seemed as feeting and in
sufficient as soup and yams. HOminy
was somewhat better, but very trouble
some to make. The hardwood ashes haG
to be gathered up and lye made from
them, then the corn had to be soaked II
the lye for hours. Next it had to be
carefully washed to get rid Of the hulls
and every particle of the alkali. This was
tedious and tiresOme to boys who were
working every day to the limit of Their
strength. Besides, even the best hominy
was not bread, by long shot, and the
soldiers grew exceedingly tired Of it.
Going out from the camp at Hickory
Head, 81 and Shorty soon obtained good
supply of corn, meat and forage IN the
valley of Pole Cat Creek, and hurried for
ward to Overtake the column. The ques.
tion of bread was uppermOst in Their
minds.
THE boys are just perishing for good,
solid bread that'll stick to the ribs" re-
marked 81, taking in the landscape, in
search of likely place for mill. 1ams
and bean soup are good enough in their
way. but 'tain't Christian to live upon
mashes Too much like fattening stock
for killing time"
Blast pea-soup, anyway" returned
Shorty, hotly. ''Smelis and tastes entire
ly too much like Andersonvile. And
yams hardly lasts while you're eating
them. Boys that's doing the work ours
is, want inside timbering of the white-Oak
kind: not bass-wOod, that gives out while
you're looking at it."
There must be some mills around here
that're running" remarked ST, meditative-
ly. "Some of the Twentieth Corps fellows
found one yesterday. We ought to be
able to-
doubt it. See plenty Of dams by a
mll-site, but no mills by dam site," re-
marked Shorty, remembering an old joke.
AuChy OttciuciH AlShcl vi uCu. Alo"
ard didn't hear you say that" said 81,
grinning. Say, there's a fellow going
through the woods over there that looks
as if he had a. bag of meal on his saddle.
Cut across there, Harry, and head him
off" To-
1t was an odd man, riding an old horse,
with two or three pokes Of meal on his
saddle. He was shaking with fright when
Harry oyerhauled him.
Fore God, Mister Yankee" he pro-
tested, Il amt n bin dOin' no harm to no.
body. 'Clar to goodness, l hain't. Don't
belong to the army, nur the partisans, nur
nothin'. I'm i.Only a pore ole man, bin
over to Wiley,s mill for leetle jag o
meal for the ole woman an the neighbOrs,
who're powerful tired o livin' on hOminy
an wanted a mess o bread"
Don't blame them" said Harry, low
ering his carbine, as he saw the old mans
helpIessness. Don't be alarmed, grandad.
l am not going to hurt you. Are there any
rebel soldiers around where you have
been!"
.Shan't tell you nothin', Mister Yam
kee," said the old man, closing his thin,
tOOthless mouth with determination. I'm
a true Confedrit, an amt giyin' away no
military secrets. Sides, they'd done kill
me if l did. Sho' they would"
Come along with me to the Sergeant"
commanded Harry.
you amt a-gwine to take away my
meal, air you?" whined the old man.
Hits the fust we've had sence a leetle
lrter Chrissmuss, an my ole wOman's bin
On the lift all Winter with rheumatics,
an can't git nothin' to do her no good
Dnless she has rale bread to go with hit"
Don't bother about your meal, grand
pap" said the impatient Harry. Hurry
along to the Sergeant. He's very anxious
TO see you"
SI,oA -
boss, Mister Yankeew Quavered the old
man, new fear striking him. "Shar-l
What mout his name be? Shar-Sar'-l
''rhe Sergeant-Serg't Klegg."
"Sar-Sar- Some speaks hit diff |
runt," mumbled the old man. "Is he the
great big boss Yankee-the chief Beelze- |
preachers air a-talkin' OF, who
spits fire at folks an burns 'em up? Take
my critter, an my meal an le' me go.
want to see my ole woman ag'in afore |
die"
Come on. Don't be an old fool" said |
Harry, roughly, seizing hold of the horses |
Dridle. Come along. I've no time to
Whining and weeping. the old man was
on the stalwart young Indi-
lnian, who to his alarmed eyes seemed |
he embodiment of everything terrible.
81 looked over him and his horse for
minute without speaking, which increased
he old mans terror.
"What've you got in those pokes, old
nan" 81 asked, eagerly; but it seemed
he tone was ferocious to the old man.
"Jes' l-e-e-t-l-e j-asg-s O. y-a-l-l-e-r
neal" he quavered out, ds he found his
Ongue.
"Where did you get it?' 81 demanded.
With still more eager earnestness.
''Oh, for the Lord A'mighty's sake,
pare mew begged the old man. SIN a
,ore ole man, monty pore ole man, with
lothin' but a game leg an a frazzled
leart 'twiXt me an etarnity. 1 can't do
10 harm to Abe Lincoln. nur the Consti-
ution O. the Nunited States. Deed /
ant. Jes' le' me go home, Mister YAM
zee, an take keer o. my ole woman few
ears longer, an you kin go right ahead
With your army, an pledge you my word
won't interfere Deed l won't"
"Where did you get that meal?" asked
II, still more urgently, for he was getting
inpatient. Ia.inI
20, Mister Yankee, you kin have all the
neal I've got, though hit don't al! belong
o me. I'm 6esi tOtin' hit on sheers for
ONE O. my neighbOrs, whose critters wuz {
oOk by Wheeler's cavalry. But you kin
axe hit all, an'nmy critter too, in well /.
ONE, if you'll jes' le' me go home to nv {
lie woman" on bi
The old man clasped his hands in an {
ttitude of prayer. He would have gotten {
IF his horse, and knelt, but his stiffened
mbs prohibited. j. t
"Granddad,i l don't want your life or I
our horse, or even your meal. which is |
lOre value to rs than either" said 81,