The National tribune., 1902-12-18

as prisoners of war, excluding none,
neither officer nor soldier, white nor black;
to which society it is an honor and not
disgrace to belong.
Notwithstanding the failure of the Off
GERS in this instance to establish a per-
manent organization on aristocrauc prln-
ciples or ideas, this tendency of eX-officers
of the army to arrogate to themselves all
the honor, heroism and loyalty that ex-
isted, has met with some degree of sue
cess, and we have in the United States
Of America in the beginning Of this 20th
century several such societies. organized
since the war of the rebellion, wherein
the magnificent commissioned officer has
barred the private soldier, who won for
him all the laurels that he so proudly
wears.
Once. many years ago, attended as an
onlooker, in Madison, Wis, a meeting Of
the Society of the Army of the Tennes-
see," which proved to be gathering Of
officers only, the private soldiers Of that
army having been excluded since the war
closed. Gems. Sheridan, Belknap and Hurl-
but were there, with about $50 others, and
thought then what magnificent victories
Sheridan might have won il he had ex-
cluded the enlisted men in the days of
war. and led into battle ccterie Of shoul-
der-strapped gentlemen.
It may be that the son Of an officer is
more worthy to wear the badge Of loyalty
in America than the private soldier who
endured all things from all men for the
sake Of the Flag and the Union, but do
not believe it.
To the honor Of the private soldier be
it said, that in no organization wherein
he is in the majority has he ever attempted
to exclude the officer, but always h0nors
and respects him if he is at all worthy Of
respect. There is nothing snObbish about
the ex-soldier wish could say as much
in praise of the ex-officer.
THE STORY OF MY LOST APPETITE.
Once on a time 1 had an appetite. II
it was not an appetite. what was it? I
will not say / had good appetite, al
though it was large and strong-my ap-
petite was. and seemed quite able to take
care of itself and, certainly, did not seem
at the time to be SO very bad, but since
then / have often wondered if really had
what people call "a good appetite" That
was many, many years ago when ] had
my appetite, and lost it, and presume I'll
never have aHother-not in this world.
Still, I remember as distinctly as il it
were only yesterday when my appetite
would put to shame a whole family, il not
a whole neighborhood Of Coreans; I re-
uefHDeT, Will h cOHiLHiHSilHS TecUuectlou
of an aching void within my whole being,
how came by it; remember. with full
sense of thankfulness in my heart, or,
perhaps more appropriately. with a sense
Of thankfulness in my stomach, when
enjoyed it in all its perfection and glory;
! remember also, without any vain regrets
| on my own part, and, hope. not any on
| the part of my family and friends, the
very day lost it forever. / once read an
old proverb which declared. that "Eating
takes away ones Appetite" and l think
some times that's true.
| Now, the story Of my lost appetite Is
as follows, viz: The day arrived in An,
napolis. Md. from Wilmington, N. c., at.
ter my wanderings in Dixie, was Sunday
March 5, 1855. Be it remembered that
during the seven months wherein l had
enjoyed the hospitality of the good peo
pie of the Southern Confederacy / had
eaten two square meals and various othe,
things too numerous to mention. and thai
during our three days voyage from Will
mington to Annapolis our steamer was
bountifulIy supplied with salt meats and
bareback, and that throughout said voy
age | had not missed a meal. Therefore
must honestly confess that I was moi
hungry and did not have my appetite wher
we landed in Annapolis; but my two com
rades with whom I had roughed it in the
woods Of North Carolina and on the
freight and accommodation train from
Salisbury to Goldsboro, were both des
perately sea-sick on that voyage from
Wilmington. and having missed their regu
lar meals through the upheaval of the sea
and other things, were, as a matter OF
course, extremely hungry.
The little city Of Annapolis is, or was
In 1865. Sunday town, all the restaur
ants and saloons land all the restaurants
were saloons in those days. being closed
on the Sabbath day. Nevertheless, ev.
cry saloon and restaurant in the city had
a back door or two, which were not hard
to find il one understood the combination
As I had been in Annapolis before, !
knew where one OF those concealed bach
doors was located, and volunteered to aci
A guide Tor my two hungry cnmradas