The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-23

4 AoA SPonuliS bAc BI6lt IeSblVal. mas
: t'homnae propose, ct Dieu dispose.
We We're ordered to pack our yalua-
bles. Mine consisting of one silver
cup and two or three rings (gages dam-
dtie,) were speedily disposed of; the
former in my net-lala Ia waterfall the
rest in my shoes. The three dresses,
all | owned of my lost grandeur, were
donned at once, regardless of fit, a
Confederate fortune in money and
bonds, sewed in their facings, and
was ready Ellen followed my exam
/ pie; Onie went silently to work, and
made her arrangements without the
slightest fuss, as she always does; but,
notwithstanding our eminent peril; we
three mad-caps.had many heartylaughs
4 while en- attendance. We had christen-
ed Min the heiress ofthe establishment,
possessing between one and two hun
Idred IN twenty-five cent pieces, but
| here IN the midst of our haste and ex-
citement arose the perplexing question
-WhQt will she do with, it,? Alasdrit
was not as easily disposed of as the
sorghum. After suggesting several
manners and means sof concealment,
the most feasible plan proposed was
thought to qmltIit up into balmoral
skirt. Good Antie gave us strict in
functions to close the doors, and by no
means allow our sable abigails' too wit
ness the 5tast. We were soon armed
with sewing implements ready to lend
a helping hand towards erecting the
masked battery. Scarce had we com
rnenced ere Anntie came and bid us
sing to drown the jingle of the coin.
An universal burst of song gushed
forth, we worked on diligently until
the scene became so ludicrous that we
suddenly stopped and peals OF laugh
ter rang out, malgre, our terror. &c A
Methodist camp meeting is not a. cir
cumstance compared oIthei noise he
made 'sJerusalem my happy home
was eneorediEvociferously, and as we
plaintiVely drawled it we felt 1t was The
only place of refuge secure from the
vile raiders we were expecting. II AS
daylight dawned upon us we compile
ted our herculeany labor, and inmedi-
ately adorned our spinster sister with
her new, not Life, but money preserver.
The unfortunate damsel sunk under
the weight Of wealth. The old saying
that wealth bringeth care was fully
verified in my poor, friends ease, for
her brow was knitted and her powers
Of endurance tried byEstheo burden
which was greater than she could bear
After making vain endeayors to assist
us she was left to prepare the children,
poor, little. sleepy things, who frigh-
tened out of their senses almost, had
gathered UP their treasures and clung
to, them tenacieusly.o The youngest
had seized his pet dog Dandy, fastened
him to the bed post, and was keeping
guard over him, calling him most coax
ingly, my poor little refregee udoggY
Then came the fearful task of destroy-
ing our precious letters billet doaar and
photographs. With futtering hearts
and trembling hands we solemnly..
formed the funeral pile, consigned them
to the flames, and sung requium of
lamentations over the ashes Some
had been penned BY heroes who had
perishcd IN the strife, others were sov-
enirs of dashing cavaliers and daring
scouts Butwe decided to give them
uprather than have them contahanaS
ted by touch of the unscrupuloue herd
coming towards us This done,kWe
had nothing furtherIto do but to sit and
await the arrival of oour unlimited
guests. - ~ IS ssrs
Instead Of tripping it,ioyfully on the
light fantastic toe" our gallant friends
''off duty" rode offin John Gilpin style,
after bidding us hasty sorroWful
adieu in the sweet, true meaning of the
word Much to. our surprise our do5
main was converted into perfect de-
pository for the yaluables Of pur nu-
merous neighbors. We being Catho-
lies, it was reported that Sherman
would spare all OF that faith. The
blackened walls of the convent at Coz
lumbia. might have told different tale,
If such hnd been the case. Family pic
lures were sent in every direction.
which were scattered in every portion
of the house, to prevent suspicion.
The day passed off in breathless sus-
pense, and as dreary night wore on
couriers arrived giving fearful details
Of atrocious deeds committed, We
were terrified beyond expression, but
set to work again, prepared for any
enneruencv. ordered ratiOns for several