The National tribune., 1904-04-21

ASH. TO SEE YANKEES RUNNIN' ROUND
ny, WITHOUT sHooTIN' AT EN-.
| ex-Confederates gathered about him as
eager listeners.
Presently tall, sallow-faced man,
| clean shaver, wearing silk hat and a
shiny, threadbare black frock coat. forced
| his way into the crowd until he faced the
AdJutant, and catching some of his words
about amnesty for serious Offense," de-
manded sternly:
Have you come down here. sir, to gloat
over our miSfortunesT
The Adjutant looked him over with
great elaboration, and then answered cool
.GIoating, did you say? Can't say that
| am. I've been a little of almost every
thing. in my time, but can't remember
that l was ever glOatist. What's your
| idea of gloating. any how?"
Come. sir, you handy words" said the
man with the tone OF lawyer bullying
a witness.
'Come, sir, you must not use that tone
nor that expression to me-" said the Al
jutant severely.
Il am here, sir, as the representative of
my gallant but unfortunate people," re-
piled the man in more conciliating tone.
"A people brave to mad rashness, but over
powered by superior numbers, and now
yielding but not submissive before the vic
tor. A people who stood with undaunted
stained field of Yorktown, and by Greene
at Cowpens'
Hello: there's Polk Ballinger now"
said Wash.
Pretty seedy. but still in the ring
added Hank. Same old speech. though"
AS lightnin' q talker as ever" said
Wash.
yorktown and Cowpens are ancient
history" said the Adjutant sarcasticalIy.
Several things have happened since then.
You may have heard of a little. occurrence
over at App0mattox the other day."
Its hardly in good taste to remind us
Virginians of that painful elimination of
our misf0rtunes," answered Polk Ballinger
with the stately dignity of Forests Meta
mora.
Oed Hank, deeply impressed with the
word. I'D supposed it was jest plain
Lay down yer guns or I'll bust We wide
open. Culmination!'
My. but aint he a lightnin' taIker?"
murmured Wash.
rs it fitting to exuIt over brave men
asked Polk Ballinger severely.
May 1 venture to inquire just how
many Yankees it took to 0verwhelm you
personality" inquired the Adjutant with
mock politeness, as he took in his OppO-
nent's civilian attire, and made a swift
guess as to his share i'm the strife.
The shaft went home, and the crowd
laughed uproarously. Being Nirginians.
they dearly loved a joint discussion. and
We're quick to applaud telling hits. They
yelled:
Got you there, Polk
"A good one for the Yank."
Polk never heard cap busted"
THE nearest he ever got to the Yanks
was when Mcclellan was at Seven Pines. /"
Polk Ballinger gathered himself together
promptly.
Your question is not pertinent, sir" he
responded with dignity. My own person
atty plays no part in the matter. L was
not permitted to take any part in the
war. The important duties with which my
constituents charged me kept me chained
TO my desk in the legislative halls. L should
have been false to my duty to them if |
had obeyed my own ardent inclinations,
and placed myself at the head of troops in
the field. Adler men were there to do that.
and until my constituents would consent
to relieve me it was clearly my duty
denomination. Polk" yelled some scoffer
i'm the crowd.
"As said before my personality plays
no part i'm the discussion" continued Polk.
ignoring the ribald interruption. Il am
speaking now for my whole people. and
demand of You. sir. to know If You are 60
ing TO use your victory-a victory gained
by your unlimited wealth. which brought
to your army all the hordes of Europe-to
insult and Cypress proud and gallant
people? If SOL
MY. amt he just lightnin' talker"
gasped Wash.
Look here. my friend" said the Adju-
tant. a little impatiently, ''I'm not a poll
tician. and word peder. but straight
out. plain soldier, who had something else
on hand than talkee-talkee. You weren't
fought and beaten by foreigners, but good.
thoroughbred Americans, such as we are.
and when You look us over you will be in
clined to think that we were good for our
job. l don't carry along any big phrases
TO thrash the air with, but I'm going TO
talk to these soldiers as one soldier does
to another. Boys. the war is over. and the
thing is settled. You men who We're on the
firing line against us know very well that
we never had any ill-will against you. after
we had made our score. We always
treated you white the moment you dropped
your guns. We shared our bareback with
you. gave you clothes. and were always
glad to lend YOU a helping hand.
That's So"
"You always did"
sNo doubt about that"
1.-The men who fit us was all man
straight GOODS they all agreed, noddins
their heads affirmatiyely.
Its going to be no different now" con-
tinued the Adjutant. you've all dropped
your guns. and we are just as glad as You
are that the war is over. We don't want
any more war. and I'm pretty certain that
you don't. We have fought this awful
war TO get peace. and peace we must have.
So long as YOU keep the peace We shall lie
mighty glad to have you do SO. and shall
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