Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-07-16

#ss$ 5=s.Ass uhQ e rsLand said Ralph Hunt
sgloomily that their idea is to yet the
well kept Confede rate prisoners back
from the Union camps and send US 40
living skeletons In exchange
~. DO you think. Colonel Coggswell.s
asked Cox. that things are going al
badly with us In the valley and else
where as they try to make out p '=
Yes. and sight. worse. should
say, at the present moment,
Then" fnterposed Hart tragically.
"all is lost save honor
The colonel drew himself UP proudly.
glanced around to make sure that the
commissary and guard had retired,
then with superb dramatic gesture
opened the coat Of his uniform. which
had been tightly buttoned up to his
chin. and displayed the stars and
stripes wrapped around his body.
mot all lost, sir. Our colors, by
GOd!'
The prisoners rushed forward. their
eyes bullying and cheeks glowing with
patriotic ardor. Even poor Hunt rose
excitedly from his couch.
Three cheers, boys" cried Cox. "All
together-let her go!" -... 49,
They gave rousing round of cheers
that brought Captain Warner rushing
back into the room. -.
Come, come, gentlemen! Remem-
Der where you are. This amt Wash
ington. What are you feeling so Or
merry about?" -
I'VE were just welcoming an old
friend" explained Cox.
"And. besides, cap" interposed Hart,
''ain't this Thanksgiving eve? How
about them pumpkin pies we ordered
and paid for in good United States
money!"
'That's fact" answered the COM.
missary. well, the cook tackled 'em,
according to directions. They ought
Ito be pretty nigh done by this time.
Queer grub. that -
At this juncture the door opened and
Immediately a Joyous commotion en-
sued.
"Pie, pie! Oh. pumpkin pie! Atten-
ton. all! Salute the pastry! Let the
noble pumpkin approach its doom with
military honors."
The prisoners drew up in line oppo-
site Captain Warner, while In march
ed dignifed old negress with a red
bandanna turban on her head. bearing
aloft in both hands platter contain
ing an enormous pie. This she solemn
~ deposited on the table. then turned
and made her exit in silence, saluted
profoundly by the company.
"Chaplatn Hart will ask blessing
will you join us. Captain WarnerY'
mo, thank you." replied the commits
sary, making his exit. 1.-The atmos-
phere's getting too Yankeefed to suit
me, and I'll beg to be excused"
Knife in hand, Hart stood in an at
t1tude of devotion at the head of the
table. +
cali l can say is, Lord bless this ERE
pie"-then, as an expression Of horror
and disgust overspread his homely
face-''and the. Lord help US after
we've eaten 1t! Why, durn my skin.
IL they amt gone and put an upper
crust on pumpkin pie! And the
pumpkin cut into hunks as big as your
fist, without no milk nor sugar, and not
half baked, neither"
'"rhe devil! Those Virginia darkies
are good cooks, but they don't know
what pumpkin pie isl .~-
Deacon Hart carved the pie and dis
tributed slabs all around. remarking
philosophically:
1.-The blacks must be freed and edu-
Gated. Think of whole race in such
benighted ignorance as this!''
The attack had scarcely begun when
Captain Warner once more appeared
at the door, making sign which all
the imprisoned officers instantly under
stood.
"Stir up the animals. boysv' whisper
ed Hart. ''Visitors coming"
"Petticoats. too," added Cox, look
ing out.
A pretty, vivacfous young woman, es-
corted by sinister looking Confeder-
ate officer, who singled out Lieutenant
Bedloe with malicious sneer and re-
ceived flashing look of silent scorn
and defiance in return, were shown in
by the c0mmissary.
"This is the Potomac room, Miss Ma
son. Gentlemen, southern lady pays
you the honor of VISIT
Captain Cox bowed courteously,
while all his comrades stood in the
background.
madam, be assured Of our grateful
appreciation. It Is q long time since
we have seen woman's face. We are
not exactly fixed up for company,
but At this point he looked into her
shining eyes and In sudden overwhelm-
ing recognition exclaimed: "Great
heavens! Marie-Miss Mason-I am
not mtstaken?' >-,.-~
mo, Tom," she answered sweetly,
'you are not mistaken. Oh, what q
horrid placer
Eyes, you find us at a disadvantage.
say U.S. for, as you see, Ralph is
here too"
"Oh, dear; how terrible! You poor,
foolish boys! And how is it with you,
Ralph?' -. :. ~.-.. ~
'"Thank you-not much worse than
when parted from you at Lexing-
ton" ~ -. ~.
what a pair of rash, headstrong
boysl Why did you desert the south r.
Wasn't it the south that did the de-
sorting? Oh. but don't LET us talk n0li-