The National tribune., 1902-01-16

just such breakfast as a respectable
citizen, who owns more than a half-sec
tion of first-class bottom land ought to
| have?"
Yes, Jedge I'll bring you some break
| fuss answered the waiter, not under
standing the eXordium, in the least. and
giving the title that was assigned to every
guest at Wizards who did not wear a
uniform. He disappeared, and presently
came back with n plate of apples and
Malaga grapes, which the Deacon re-
garded with little favor, for he had hoped
for ham and eggs.
Rather chilly foundation for break
fast" thought the Deacon, picking up an
apple, and beginning to pare it. Ain t
fiji st-class apples to begin with. Don't
compare with my Pearmain's. But
suppose | must eat them
He conscientiously cleared the platter.
and then the waiter brought him a plate
of oatmeal and a jug of cream.
'Mush-and-milk for breakfast and on
top of apples seems queer Thought the
Deacon, ''and it don't look like frSt-claSs
mush-made out of white corn. Mother
never makes mush out of anything but
the best yaller meal. But | suppose
must eat it, though. | wonder how far
down I've got to eat before 1 come to
ham-and-eggs?
He studied the menu again, but got no
enlightenment.
AS | don't know what they call ap-
pies and mush-andmilk in this foreign
tongue, l don't know how far I've got"
The walters next instalment proved
much more satisfactory, for it included
coffee, chops, IOtatoes and oysters, all OF
which the Deacon ate cOnsc'entlOusly. and
began to have a comfortable feeling of
fullness. which did not prevent his
clearing every plate of the next
round, which had a steak for the lead
ing feature. Though he was a very lib
eral feeder, when he dutifully tried to
eat IN all Of the various yiands set be
fore him, he found that he was reaching
the limit of his capacity, but there was
no sign yet of the ham-and-eggs. nor of
the buckwheat cakes. which he supposed
topred off every breakfast.
The waiter came in with n round of
ragouts. entremets, etc, which the Dea-
con attacked with ardor. but before he
had got half through with them, he cali
ed to the waiter. and pointing to the bin
of-fare asked solemnly,
about how far have | got?'
'E'out halfway" answered the waiter.
Halfway? Huml HumI Look here
now, You won't care much will you. if |
just skip from here to about here?
know l 0ughtn't, but this is my first at
tempt. Just say nothing about it to that
boss there by the door, but bring me an
other cup of coffee and Il plate of batter
cakes. and here's two bits for you"
When he finished and walked out into
the office he found it crowded as the
ri"ht before, with men in dOuhle-breaSted
blue coats. and wearing
eagles and stars on their shoulder strars
Again he wondered how Grant and Sher-
man managed to get along without the
hrlD of so many important, high-salaried
officers.
"What are all those Generals. doing
hcrr'" he asked Babes"
'Thcv is waiting orders. Some of
ems bin waiting orders for three years"
''N"Ns their nay go right along?"
Indeed it does. Catch them Dropping
on to both like Il 'pOssum to Il 'simmon |
tree"
'Well Uncle Sam may be able to run
his farm with so many idle bosses Law
ing around, but Josiah Klegg would he !
bankrunted in the first year. l don't |
have no cats on my place that amt
catching mice"
''WelI. ledge" said ''Babes." with a
shrug of his fat shoulders. ''if the stories
The men who are down at the front tell
IF these when they comes back here and
'oes them. it's much the cheapest for the
Government to keep them right here.
where the only harm they can do is to their
lwn gizzards at the bar"
81 suppose that's So" answered the
Deacon, n new light breaking on him.
There's some men I'd pay to keep off /
ny farm. if I couldn't get rid of them
my otherway. They break more'n thev
make. Abe Iincoln's got an awful long
lend on him."
There was another clerk Mt the desk.
mt he was quite as resnlendpnt in raj
nent, quite as lustrous in front and quite
Is imnerious as his follow of the previous
lvening.
As the Deacon stood nv the door n
rather stoop-shouldered man
With ruddy beard. that showed signs of
Exposure TO the weather, entered. follow ,
II by two or three other younger men. i
They all wore storm-stained slouch hats.
'ulled down well over of their eyes. and
hough their clothes had been well-brush-
d. they showed stains of where the mud |
md heen. and were whitening about the
cams from rough usage. The leader had |