Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-01-11

The CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN AT AK
L1NGroN-TnE DELIGHTS OF FREEpoM-At
Arlington, General Lees estate. the United
States Government have built a village and
populated it with freedmen the former slaves
of Virginia farmers From the following
which we, find in the National InteHigencer of
yesterday, it appears that the condition of
these freedmen il destitute and desperate
This is elninently work eff mercy, and
we do not doubt that its claims will go home
to the hearts of our people. Those who
have, at this cold, inclement season, had a
glimpse of the sad spectacle which is any
day to be seen on the bleak hills upon which
Freedmen's Village is planted, will not be
apt to doubt that there is misery looking
down in literally dark shadows upon the
National Capital. We are informed that
there are in the vicinity thousand poor be-
nighted creatures scattered in their seanty
clothing, freezing habitations, and with
doled out Government ration, upon the Ar
lington hills at this time. '
These miserable, ignorant, suffering crea-
lures are here by no act of their own. The
calamities of the times have placed them
there, and it is the imperative duty Of this
community to bring their condition and
claims to the attention Of the country, and to
do their part in bringing them alienation.
The whole project of such village was,
in our Judgment, a mistake. These poor
creatures should not have been thus congre-
gated in a dreary spot, away from all civil
lied habitations, and where even those who
are able to do something for subsistence
cannot possibly find anything to do. But
they are there and must be kept from the
more abject forms of suffering, if they cam
not be made decently comfortable. Il
The destitute condition of the poor, desc
late throng of human beings on the Airing
ton hills, known as ''Freedmen's Village"
of which our columns have again and again
spoken, has arrested the attention of some of
our benefcent people, and meeting was on
Wednesday evening held at the residence of
Hon. George W. Mcclellan to devise means
for the alienation of the suffering. 1t was
decided to provide for these poverty-stricken
creatures dinner on January Sd, and to
gather and dispense clothing to relieve their
wretchedness on the occasion.
A MUSICAL CAT-An instance related to
us on yesterday, which establishes beyond
doubt the theory that almost every species of
the animal kingdom is subject to the infu-
ences of instrumental and, perhaps, vocal
music The case in point occurred few
nights since at the residence of Mr.. Gideon
Ragland, in the northwestern section Of this
city. After spending the evening in the
parlor, the family retired to their chambers,
ncglecting first to close the lid to the piano,
on which instrument one of them had been
performing. About midnight, however,
male member was awakened by the sounds
of music below, as if some one was running
through the gamut, and on going to see what
was the cause, he was greatly surprised to
find the house cat running back and forth
on the keys in the most delighted manner,
After observing puss's maneuvres for short
while the gentleman took her down and
closed the piano, during the process of which
she sat upon her launches, looked wistfully
towards the instrument and mewed in the
most pitcous tones, as if greatly distressed at
being debarred the privilege of again occu-
plying her former position ON the keys
There is no question about the fact that dur
ing the evening, while one of the ladies was
playing on the piano, the cat was in the room
watching the performance, and, experiencing
agreeable sensations therefrom, was led by
natural instincts to seek the mode by which
the sweet sounds had been produced. This
is most remarkable occurrence; but never
theless is vouched for as correct .-Richmon6
Tr,nrs