Said one of them:
“There wasn’t no finer feller anywhere than what Bill was, but the main trouble with him was he wasn’t forehanded. He had a wife and a whole passel of children and he should a-been more saving than what he was. He might a-knowed he couldn’t live on forever. But no, he lived up to everything he made. And here now, right in the very prime of life, with a family on his hands, he gets sick and dies without leaving no estate as I knows of.”
“The hell he didn’t leave no estate!” exclaimed the other. “He left mighty nigh a gallon!”
§ 275 How the Reform Worked
When the Union troops under Grant, early in the Civil War, took possession of West Kentucky, some difficulty was encountered in controlling the populace, for that end of the state was a hot-bed of Southern sentiment. General Grant issued proclamations stating that no citizen would be molested unless he undertook to give aid and comfort to the enemy.
In one town in the invaded district, though, there was an elderly gentleman whose sympathies with the Southern cause were especially outspoken. Whenever word came of a victory for the Southern armies his jubilation was undisguised.
The Union provost-marshal, hearing complaints from his men of this man’s actions and words, decided to make an example of him. He sent a squad to arrest the offender and presently, under guard, the old gentleman was brought before him.
“Look here,” said the officer, “I’m getting tired of your behavior. Every few days I hear that you’ve been going about again spreading reports that our forces have been defeated. Now then, I’ve decided to reform you. Either you take the oath of allegiance to the Union right now or off you go to a military prison. Which shall it be?”
The prisoner decided to take the oath. After it had been administered the officer felt that a further admonition might be in order. “Now then,” he said, “I hope you understand what this thing means? If ever again you utter a word of disparagement for the Union cause or a word of approval for the Confederates, and I hear of it, you’ll suffer severely; because now you’re a loyal Unionist. A single disloyal remark makes you guilty of treason.”
The reclaimed one thanked him for the warning. On his way out he stopped at the door.