Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1883 — “Maybe So,” [ARTICLE]

“Maybe So,”

Detroit Free Prase, After looking over the battle-field of Chanoellorsville I went back to the brick house for dinner. During my absence a little red-headed man had arrived, and he was introduced by the woman as her brother-in-law. As soon as I came in he began on me: "Vhas you under Sheneral Jhaokson in dis fight?” “No.” "I tell you dot vhas an awful fight, my frcndt Blood poured out shunt like it vhas raining. Maybe you vhas under General Lee, up der blank road?” ‘"No, I wasn’t” “Not under Lee? But dot Sheneral Lee vhas an awful fighter. Maybe you vhas mit Early, up at Fredericksburg?" “No." “So? Vhell, dot Early he vhas a splendid Sheneral, and he like to fight all der time. I feel sure you vhas mit Early. Maybe you vhas mit Hooker, eh?" “No." “Not mit Hooker down here? Den you vhas mit Sedgwick up der roadt?” “No.,’ “Vhell, by golly! Not mit Shackson nor Lee—not mit Hooker nor Sedgwick! Vhell! Vhell! Dot beats me all oafer!” Both of us fell to and began eating, and nothing futher was said until the meal was finished, and we had gone out to look at some old cannon wheels in the yard. Then my friend put his hand on my shoulder, lowered his voice, and said: “My friendt, if you vhas not mit Lee, nor Shackson, nor Hooker in dis fight maybeyouund me vhas in der same place?” “Maybe so. Where were you?” “In Canada!” he whispered. He called “good-by” after me as I rode away, but I wouldn’t have answered him for 8 hundred dollars. One lesson our American lad must learn before he succeeds, aud as he is&oeptionally sharp he generally does learn it when he finds be does not succeed without it That is steadiness of aim. Instability is onr national desert. /Wj