"Why are those cotton-cars still standing there this morning, after the orders I gave you yesterday?" asked Levi, in tones of severest reprehension, as that official came up.
"Why, Mr. Rosenbaum," said that official apologeticallyhe was the same man who had so severely snubbed the Deacon the day before"you see I had the train made up and all ready to start, when there came orders"
"Whose orders?" demanded Levi. "Who dares give orders that over-ride mine? You go at once and have an enginethe best one you havehitched on. Couple on my car, and be ready to start in 15 minutes. Fifteen minutes I give you," continued he, looking at his watch. "Tell the Train Dispatcher to clear everything into switches until we get to Murfreesboro, and have the operator at Murfreesboro lay by everything till we get to Nashville."
The Yard-Boss rushed off to execute the order.
"Great Jehosephat, what's come over Levi?" muttered Shorty. "Has he become the High-muk-a-muk of the whole army? Have they put him in Gen. Rosecrans's place?"
"Will I dare to speak to such a high-flyer?" said the Deacon, doubtfully.
Levi's eyes, flashed from one point to another, rested on the Deacon for a moment, and the latter wreathed his face with a grin of recognition. Then Levi's stern countenance relaxed with a still broader grin.