Middletown transcript., 1869-02-20

--N~-~
side"
All this was said amidst violent protes.
tations from the men within: "You can't
get in, driver 60 on" But, suiting the
action to the word, she opened the door,
calling, "Come Kitty" got on the steI
and thrust her heod in, saying: "If these
gentlemen is gentlemen, and has got any
politencss, they'll git out and set with I'm
Gle Ben, and let ladies come inside" A
pause ensued. At last subdued tone
from the soldier in the middle seat was
heard to say: MADAM, if you will get
off the step. will get out"
"Very well, sir; and why didn't you
do that at frst?'' "ADd now," said She,
looking at man in the front seat; "there'
another seat by Uncle Ben; sposen you
git out and let Kitty Grim have your seat;
she's bound to CO." The poor man quiet
ly got out, without saying word, but the
very expression of his back, as he got out
of the coach, was subdued. "Now, Kit
ty, get in, and bring the little basket and
them two bundles; they won't poster the
lady too much" The door was closed
and then. the scene being over, the pas
sengers shouted with laughter.
Our heroine remained perfectly passive
until we got to the picket post, mile from
town. The driver stopped; a soldier came
up for passports. She was thunderstrpck
'Passes! passes for white folks never
heard of such thing. l amt got no pass;
nuther is Kitty Grim" 1 suggested to
her to keep quiet, as the best policy Just
at that time a Tennessee soldier had to
confess that he had forgotten to get pass
port. "YOu can't 60 on" and the soldier
got out.
Presently the woman's turn came.
MADAM, your passport, if you please? ?"
IL amt got none; nuther is Kitty
Grim, Chats my sister-in-law); we amt
agwine to git out nuthcr; cause we's gwine
to Strasburg to spend the Christmas with
my relations, and amt been thar for ten
year, and / never heard of white folks hay-
ing passes"
But, Madam" began the official.
"You needn't "but, madam" me, cause
l amt gwine to git out, and I'd like to
see the man that would put me out. This
is free country, and Use gwine to Stras-
burg this night, so you mig ght as we'll take
your lantern out of my face"
But, Madam, my ORDERS" began the
picket.
Don't tell me nothing bout your or
ders; don't care nothing bout your or
ders; and you needn't think, cause the
Tennessee man got out that Pse agwine to
git out-'cause l amt. Amt got three
sons in the army, great sight larger than
you is and they fit at Manassas, and they
amt no towards; nuther is their mother !;
and | amt agwine to git out of this stage
this night, but I'm agwine to Strasburg,
where | was born and raised"
The poor man looked non plussed, but
yet another effort; he began, "My dear
madam"
Il amt none of your dear madam Use
just free white woman, and so is Kitty
Grim; and we amt no niggers to get pass
es, and Use gwine long this pike to Stras-
burg. Now Use done talking"
With this she settled herself on the seat
and leant back with a most determined
air, and the discomftted man shut the
door amid peals of laughter from within
and without. In few moments we we're
quiet again, and all began to settle them
solves for sleep, when the silence was bro
ken by our heroine.
kitty, is you sick ?"
"No," said Kitty.
"Well, it is wonder. Gentleman,
can't one of you take Kitty's seat and give
her yourn? she gifts monstrous sick when
she is riding with her back to the horses"
Thore was death-like silence, and my
curiosity was aroused to know how she
would manage that point. After a few
moments she began again.
kitty, is you sick p
NO" says Kitty, mot yit."
"Well, I do wish one of you gentlemen
would give Kitty his seat. Still no reply.
All was becoming quiet again, when she
raised her voice:
''Kitty Grim, is you sick ?"
Eyes" said Kitty, ''just little"
II knowed i'll knowed she was sick !;
and when Kitty Grim gets sick she most
in general filings up"
The effect was electric. "My dear
madam" exclaimed both gentlemen at
once, "take my seat; by all means take
my seat"
The Methodist clergyman being nearest
gave up his seat and took hers. The change
was soon effected amidst the most uproar-
ious laughter, all feeling that they we're
fairly OutQeneralled the third time