New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1909-01-13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
] ANightIllare Yankee

citation.
Bill Meacham, private -th Pennsyl-
vania infantry, escaped prisoner of
war, stood at the edge of wood look
ing at house standing in the center
Of plantation. Bills stomach was
as empty as haversack at the end Of
a two weeks campaign, and he was
wondering If he dare go to the house
and ask for something to eat Would
he rather starve or run the risk Of go
Ing back to that frightful prison pen?
Then he looked himself over. He had
no head covering whatever, and the
last time his hair had been combed
was before the fight in which he had
been captured three months agone.
Half leg of his trousers was missing
as well as the right sleeve of his coat
and part Of the left sleeve AS to
the coats skirt, it hung in rag fes-
toons. One old rubber shoe and a bit
OF blanket constituted his foot cover
ing. 1t was not danger alone that
caused him to hesitate. 1t was pride.
However, hunger conquered both
pride and prudence, and he went to
the house. Passing through a flower
garden, he suddenly came upon a girl
making up bouquet. On seeing Bill
she dropped pair of big scissors, Civ
ing a slight scream at the same time.
Bills hand naturally went up to his
head; but, not finding any hat there
to doff deferentially, he attempted to
propitiate the girl with an admiring
smile. 1t produced an effect similar
to that Of dirty faced grinning skel-
eton. The girl shrank back.
Don't be afraid of me- pleaded Bill.
I'm harmless, quite harmless He
paused moment to arrest the ravage
Of grayback. II might as well own
up that I'm an escaped prisoner OF
war;"
"a Yankeew
eyes, Yankee, but not dangerous
one just now unless for vermin, and
I'd be ever so obliged if you'd give me
bit OF corn pone or something to
keep me from starving
Bills tone was sad, and by this
time the girl began to take in the pitt
ful situation She was very young and
her sympathies easily touched. She
stood for moment thinking, then
said:
Were all loyal to the south up at
the house, and If you go there we'd
have to give you up. Get under that
rosebush, where you will not be seen,
and I'll bring you something"
Bill gave her grateful look, which,
though grewsome, didn't brighten her
so much this time. She went toward
the house, and he crawled under the
BUSH Presently she came back with
some scraps she had gathered from
the breakfast table rolled in napkin,
gave them to Bill and told him he'd
better be off Bill, in his gratitude
forgetting himself, advanced to clasp
her hand, but she darted back with a
bit of Shrek, then, seeing that she
had hurt his feelings, said:
''It isn't you I'm afraid Of; it's the
vermin''
Well, Bill backed away from her so
as not to show the remains Of his pro-
truding shirt tail and went on his way.
When the war ended Bill got COM
mission in the regular army. During
the administration Of President Grant
he was on duty in Washington, which
meant that he lounged most of the
day and attended social functions in
the evening. 1t was not long before
he married the daughter of a southern
congressman. and very happy match
he made.
One morning he kissed his wife and
went to his Office in the war depart
ment, as usual. About II o'clock Mrs.
Meacham was informed by maid that
there was a tramp at the door who
insisted on seeing the lady of the
house. But wouldn't advise you to
go down; he's the worst loolzin' beast
1 ever saw Mrs Meacham sent the
maid back to tell the man that she
was busy, and the maid returned with
the information that the man was
bound to see the lady, and If she
didn't come down he would go up If
there had been telephones in those
days Mrs. Meacham would have called
the police. But telephones had not yet
been invented, and there was no man
In the house. Mrs. Meacham finally
determined to go down. There in the
hall stood the tramp. He wore no hat
on his uncombed hair, but little more
than half Of his clothing was availa-
BILE, one foot was incased in a piece
Of blanket, the other in a rubber shoe.
Mrs. Meacham's terror was somewhat
Modified by seeing one or two brass
buttons on his coat
My husband is in the war depart
ment," she gasped. go to him. He'll
provide for you and see that you are
taken care of by the government
The man suddenly put his hand to
his hair and clinched something.
s'For heavens sake" cried the lady,
don't bring yermin into this house!
Go away! Call on Major Meacham.
He'll attend to your case
TITS hard lines" Whined the tramp,