Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-10-03
MISCELLANY.
From The Ohio Staiesman.l
DOBBS AND HIS DIFFICULTIES.


am no noyel;st, and have never aspired to
be, but claim to be something Of politician.
If there is a loyal man ! believe / am one
made great sacrifices during the war for my
country did not 60 to war because | could
not My private affairs would not permit It,
But if one person in the United States Of A
merica kept up a more CALLING fire in the rear
than any other one | am the man. l have
been the mark Of the Copperhcads. And be-
sides it has cost me much domestic trouble.
George Washington Harrison Socrates Clay
Dobbs, that's mel unfortunately married one
Amy Amanda Maria Louisa Scraggs, and as old
Scraggs was a Democrat, my Amy has been
follower of the old rebel sympathizing Copper
head Butternut and at times the climate at
"Dobbs' Cottage became somewhat tropical.
But have borne it like a Christian.
Old Screggs has always been too fast for me
in argument, but when he came visiting and
held family prayer and got the old reprobate
upon his knees had all the say, and you bet
ter believe l poured g.ape aud canister into
Fort Sumter Amy was a beautiful girl, and
| married her because loved her. Some said
married her for "Dobbs Cottage" but that is
copperhead lie. 1t is true, her father made
us a present Of the farm and cottage, but what
OF that? 1t was his daughter, and she had q
right to It, was master Of the situation un-
/ til recently. This suffrage question involved
me in very serious difficulty. had taken
/ special pains to tantaliZe Amy about copper
heads, butternuts and sympathizers, but when
( the suffrage question came up she gave ne
bark upon the Negro equality question.
defended the best ! could, but found the
position was getting uutcnabe, and so | de-
clared straight out for equality and went at it
upon general equality principles.
went my whole length and declared for
outright equality. Our people had got patri-
otc and had admitted thenegoes into the pub
| lie schools, and had the honor Of moving first
| in that important step.
One evening few weeks ago ] came home
and Amy and had set-to on The equality
question.
The children had been at school that day,
and each had negro next 10 them. ! saw
Amy was working her wits, the result ofwhich
was an announcement that if the children had
70 associate with negroes, should too.
regarded the threat as an idle boast, and
thought no more of it.
A fe-7 davs after this notifedher that Cen
I
Her eyes sparkled ! knew there was mischief
brewing. but could not fotesee It.
advised her that the General, his wife and
| would be at the cottage at one. And sure G.
nough we were.
And Amy was prepared for US. She had
prepared an excellent dinner, and met MS at
the door to welcome us, announcing at thesame
time that dinner was ready.
So soon rs we were prepared she led the way
10 the dining-room, and 10 my surprise had
spread q large table, and had a saucy old ne
gro by the name Of Crow, with bis wife and two
children that were seated noyt 20 our children
at school. already at the table. She eap3ogized
for her haste in seating her first guests, assu-
+ ming that she had concluded we were not
/ coming. and then proceeded 20 formally intro
( duce old Crow and the Crow family generally
10 the General aud his wife as brother Crow,
. sister Crow. master Crow and little Miss Crow.
felt good deal like Growing some myself.
Nv legs began 70 show unmistakable signs Of
elasticity. 7 felt as If / could hcave out any
six negroes in the ueighborhood. But | fully
comprehendei the nature Of the situation
4 The Generals wife was about tooyp,ode. The
/ General, although an oanss! Radical, could
not suppress his solfact0rv from becoming slight
7 ly elevated My Amy was extremely polite,
and chat.e-e1 away apparently in one oil her
/ happicst moods. Old Crow sa. back Hlth bis
/ thumbs in the armholcs ri his dilapidstei old
vest. whilst his wife. with folded arms, vas as
+ suming an air Of maiden inr05ence.
/ Amy handed the General a. seat by tie wencb,
/ which filed that side Of the table. and hurried
/ " seated .he Generals wife by old gums ana
ivory. Then gathering mp The children seated
/ them beside their schooI-feilg@s, alter "nicn
she took her seat -t The head Of the table and
requested me - be seated at the iurtner END 70
I wait upon ;ha guests.
! In to this time had managed well. But
/ the Generals wife arose End remarked that she
AID not intend TO bear the insult further. At
tb;a time Che General few into passion, and
accused re Of TurposeIy arranging an insult.
I I protested. and accused Amy, and as did 80
I old Scraggs stepped in. The General remark
I cd "vou old buiternut, you are OF toe bottom
ofthis." Ny Amy reminded him that was her
home, and no one should insult her father
there. and ordered him to leave.
The General called her a dirty huzzy for IN
sulting bis wife. and at this Old Scraggs bit him
with the knot eud Of a bu,iaHW limb. !
surang between them to protect ny guest.
1 when old Crow placed the General and ne up
on an equality. In the melee the weuch as
sailed the Generals wife, and the fight became
general, Amy in the meantime expostuIating
and counselhng peace.
Finally we had al succeeded In resumiug oul
perpendicular positions but Crow, who wa:
Just then the special ooiect Of chsrge from
tbs General,