THE EFFICACY OF A COUNTERSIGN.
While Colonel Gillam, with the Middle Tennessee regiment, was occupying Nashville during the late war, he stationed sentries and patrols in all the principal streets of the city. One day an Irishman who had not been long enlisted was put on duty at a prominent crossing, and he kept a sharp and faithful watch. Presently a citizen came along.
"Halt! Who goes there?"
"A citizen," was the response.
"Advance and give the countersign."
"I have not the countersign," replied the indignant citizen, "and the demand for it at this time and place is unusual."
"Well, begorah! ye don't pass this way until ye say Bunker Hill."
The citizen, appreciating the situation, smiled and advanced to the sentry, and cautiously whispered the magic words.
"Right! Pass on!" and the wide-awake sentinel resumed his beat.