Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-02-21

I'VE have heard Of You. COLONEL ara
we are right proud to meet you. My
comrades here are Captain Hunt or
Kentucky. Chaplain Hart Of Indiana
and Lieutenant Bodice. from-why.
from your own state. | believe. ain
CAPTAIN Cox of the Tenth Kentucky
Colonel Coggswell shook hands all
around and said:
II am fortunate to have the honor or
sharing your quarters. | don't sup
pose you find it exactly lonesome here
1.-The place is quite populous. 1t
seems as if the fortunes Of war had
picked out the flower Of our army 10
pine away in Internal holes like this
Oh. for an hour of action"
"Just wait till the exchange" said
the hopeful Hart With dozen men
like US they might redeem a whole
Confederate regiment"
II understand" said Ralph Hunt
gloomily. that their idea Is to get the
we'll kept Confederate prisoners back
from the Union camps and send us rs
living skeletons in exchange
do you think. Colonel Coggswell."
asked Cox. that things are going rs
badly with us in the valley and else
where rs they try to make out?"
"Yes. and sight worse, | should
say. at the present moment"
. "Then." interposed Hart tragically.
-all is lost save honor"
The colonel drew himself up proudly.
glanced around to make sure that the
rommiSsary and guard had retired
then with superb dramatic gesture
ppened the coat OF his uniform. which
had been tightly buttoned up to his
chin. and displayed the stars aid
stripes wrapped around his body.
Not all lost, sir. Our coIors. by
Godw
The prisoners rushed forward. their
eyes bullying and cheeks glowing witt
patriotic ardor. Even poor Hunt ROSE
excitedly from his couch.
Three cheers, boys" cried Cox. AL
together-let her go.'
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
ID hor win
about them pumpkin pies we ordered
and paid for in good United States
money!"
That's a fact" answered the com
missary. well, the cook tackled EN-
according to directions. They ought
to be pretty nigh done by this tine
Queer grub, that"
At this juncture the door opened and
Immediately joyous commotion ell
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 a dignified old negreSs with red
bandanna turban on her head. bearing
aloft In both hands a platter contain
ing an enormous pie. This she solemn
" deposited on the table, then turned
and made her exit In silence. salutcu
profoundly by the company.
chaplain Hart will ask blessing
will you join US, Captain Warner!'
mo, thank you" replied the commits
sary. making his exit "rhe atmoS
phere's getting too Yankeetied to sui
me, and III beg to be excused"
Knife in hand, Hart stood III an at
titude of devotion at the head of the
table.
All can say Is. Lord bless this ere
pie"-then. as an expression OF horror
and disgust overspread his honey
face-"and the Lord help US after
we've eaten 1t! Why, durn my skin
II they amt gone and put an upper
crust on a pumpkin pie! And the
pumpkin cut into hunks as big as your
fist, without no milk nor sugar. and moi
half baked. neither"
1.-The devil, Those Virginia darkies
are good cooks, but they don't kno"
what pumpkin pie is"
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 sucn
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. boys" whisper
ed Hart. "Eisiiors coming"
"Petticoats, too added Cox, look
ing out.
A pretty, vivacious young woman. es'
corted by sinister looking Confeder'
ate officer, who singled out Lieutenant
Bedloe with a malicious sheer and re
ceived flashing look Of silent scorn
and defiance in return, were shown IN
by the commissary.
"Thls is the Potomac room, Miss Ma
son. Gentlemen, q southern lady pays