The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-08-20

as they fought from the Rappahan-
mock to the James, but we had no use
for white linen now. The merchant
had loaned US each a beautiful Grim
son sash, to wear over our sword
belts. We carried our swords in our
hands, not that We had a particle
Of use for them, but an officer must
never leave camp without his sword.
When we presented ourselves at old
Mrs. Banks, the keeper Of a dance
h3,l in Rockets, where it was ar
ranged we were to meet the girls, we
Ill looked stunning, at least, so said
the girls.
Each had his own girl, OF course,
and I remember with joy to this day
how my little Maggie toyed with my
borrowed plume, casting sly glances
with those deep blue eyes, that SEEM
ed to shiver my very soul, and said,
"Oh, St. Luke, you do look''-well,
she said nice things to me, and so
young and so verdant! Oh! for
months and months, T could hear the
echo Of her voice, could see those eyes
o. deepest blue, could see her in my
dreams, could see her at the drum
beat, could see her in the blast OF
battle, when the guns roared the loud
est (and the old soldier smiled, but
with a sad face, as he looked back
over that long ago, to his boyhood
days.
Now, this Mrs. Banks had arranged
to have the feast and show down at
her house. But the girls would have
none Of it, they having made a trade
with an old bargeman, who owned q
boat, the ''Kitty Floyd" to take US
ell down the river to deserted farm
house, where we would be away from
prying eyes.
Some of the boys squealed about
going below our lines, or rather be-
tween our lines and those Of Grant s,
others didn't like the boat business
and then others began inqulrlng
about the price, as the old boatman
might charge the worth Of a common
wealth, for its use, to say nothing
Of what he would do in case Of its be-
ing blown up by a torpedo, for the
river was full Of them. Mrs. Banks
fought with skill the idea Of going
down the river, and showed with equal
skill the advantages Of staying at her
house. But the girls, whew! They
would 60 down the river, as they had
arranged, or they would go home.
Model Farm was only a hands
stretch away, and if we were afraid
to go, why we could run along back
to camp.
The soldiers had a foolish can't Of
an expression in answer to every
thing that was assented to, VIZ,
"Here's your mule.'' If asked to
take a drink the ans7er would be,
Heres your mule.'' "Let's have
game?" "Here's your mule" In
fact, it seemed as if no other words
in the English language could be so
expressive as "Here's your mule. "
Why, when Gen. Bragg, at Chlcka-
maugs, told Longstreet to take his
troops and crash the column in front,
the old War Horse just said, Here's
your mule" and We smashed the lines
like pipe stems.
So when the girls said "Will you
500" every one answered, there's
your mule" Ducklegs came to their
assistance, too. He and the old barge
Man had agreed upon the price, the
time we were to be gone, and also
modified old Mrs. Banks.
So we called up the gang. We had
three negroes along. One, old faithful
Jess, yet living far back in the coun-
try marshalled his crowd, carrying
refreshments, guns and pistols, and
all got ready for the boat. L didn't
like the idea Of this trip myself; but
the boys, as we'll as my little Mag
gle, cried ont. "Don't hack St.
Iuk ke.'' So what could I do?
Every soldier had a nickname, OF
course. and they called me "Salnt
Luke" not that I was anything OF a
Saint, but-well the boys always SAID
they took me along with them to keep
me out Of mischief or bad company.
We had a lad with us, too, not one
of the gang, though, but just out OF
college, bright as new money and
with wit like steel trap. The gang
took him along to see his antics, I'M
:. ). .:-o. +o ouce ike man