A DINNER FOR THE CONFEDERACY Christy Passford was not a little surprised to see his father so soon after his former visit, and he was confident that he had some good reason for coming.

He conducted him at once to his cabin, where Captain Passford immediately seated himself at the table, and drew from his pocket a telegram.
"I found this on my desk when I went to my office," said he, opening a cable message, and placing it before Christy.
"'Mutton, three veal, four sea chickens,'" Christy read from the paper placed before him, laughing all the time as he thought it was a joke of some sort.

"Signed 'Warnock.' It looks as though somebody was going to have a dinner, father.

Mutton, veal, and four sea chickens seem to form the substantial of the feast, though I never ate any sea chickens." "Perhaps somebody will have a dinner, but I hope it will prove to be indigestible to those for whom it is provided," added Captain Passford, amused at the comments of his son.
"The message is signed by Warnock.

I don't happen to have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and I don't see why he has taken the trouble to send you this bill of fare," chuckled the commander of the Bronx.
"This bill of fare is of more importance to me, and especially to you, than you seem to understand." "It is all Greek to me; and I wonder why Warnock, whoever he may be, has spent his money in sending you such a message, though I suppose you know who is to eat this dinner." "The expense of sending the cablegram is charged to me, though the dinner is prepared for the Confederate States of America.