Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-01-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Winchester to Strasburg.
A LAuaHABLE EXPERIENCE.

Among the many familiar chronicles of the
war none excels in interest the "Diary of
Southern Refugee during the War" (Hale
& Son, N. Y, 1863 1t is understood to be
from the pep of a gifted lady of Virginia,
wife of an Episcopal clergyman, and member
of a family connection widely known and
esteemed.
The humorous extract below strikes US as
not unworthy of Dickens, and is commended
burg Nesos.
"We left Winchester in the stage coach for
Strasburg at 10 O'Clock at night, on the 24th
of December, 1861. The weather was bitter
cold, and we congratulated ourselves that the
coach was not crowded. Mr.. MEG, and the
girls were on the back seat, a Methodist cler-
gyman, soldier and myself on the middle,
and two soldiers, and our maid Betsy on the
front seat. We went off by star light, with
every prospect of a pleasant drive Of eighteen
miles AS we were leaving the suburbs of
the town, the driver drew up before small
house from which issued two women with a
baby, two baskets, several bundles and box.
The passengers began to shout out, "Go on,
driver; what do you mean there's no room
for another; 20 on" The driver made no
answer, but the women came to the coach
door and began to put in their bundles The
gentlemen protested that they could not get
in-there was no room. The woman with
the baby said she would get in she was
"agwine to Strasburg to spend Christmas with
her relations, whar she was born and raised,
and whar she had not been for ten years, and
nobody had better right to the stage than
she had, and she was agwine, and Kitty Grim
was agwine too-she's my sister-law and SO
is baby, cause baby never did see her rela-
tions in Strasburg in her life, So, Uncle BODp
she exclaimed to the driver, "take my bag,
basket and box by you, and me and Kitty
and baby, and the bundles and tho little
basket will 20 inside" ALI this was said
amidst violent protestations from tho men
within "You can't get in, driver, go OIL" !"
But, suiting the action to the word, she opened
the door, calling, "Come Kitty" got on the
| step and thrust her head in, saying: at these
gentlemen is gentlemen, and has got any
/ politeness, they will git out and set with
! Uncle Ben, and let ladies como inside" A
pause ensued. At last a subdued tone from
the soldier on the middle seat was heard to
will get out" very well, sir; and why
didn't you do that at first? And now" said
she, looking at a man on the front seat,
"there's another scat by Uncle Ben sposen
you git out and let Kitty Grim have your
seat; she's bound to 60" The poor man
quietly got ont, without saying word, but
the very expression of his back, as he got out
of the coach, was subdued. "Now Kitty,
get in, and bring the little basket and them
two bundles, they won't poster the lady much"
The door was closed, and then, thescene being
over, the passengers shouted with laughter
Our heroine remained perfectly passive
town. The driver stopped soldier came
up for passports. She was thunder-struck
"Passes passes for white folks! 1 never
heard of such thing. amt got no pass
nuther is Kitty Grim" suggested TO heI
to keep quiet, as the best policy. Just at that
time Tennessee soldier had to confess that
he had forgotten to get passport. "You