Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-02
From winchester to Strasburg.
a LaughabIe Experience.

Among the many famluar cnronioioS oA WV
war none excels in interest the diary OF
Southern Refugee during the War. lHale
& Son, N. Y, 1861 1t is understood to be
from the pen of a gifted lady of Virginia, wife
of an Episcopal clergyman, and member OF
family connection widely known and esteemed.
The humorous extract below strikes US as
not unworthy OF Dickens, and is commended
to the attention OF our readers. Eos. Lynch-
burg NenS- ,,. t..
Strasburg at 10 o'clock at night, on the oath
Deccmber. 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, Methodist cler-
gvman. a soldier and myself on the middle
and two soldiers, and our maid Betsy on
the front seat. We went off by star lght, with
every prospect of pleasant drive OF elglteeh
miles. As we were leaving the SUBURBS OF the
town, the driver drew up before small house
from which issued two women with baby,
two baskets, several bundles ana pox. Inc
messengers began to shout out, Go on, driver;
what do YOU mean? there S no room for another;
90 on" The driver made no answer, but
Tho women came to the coach door and began
to mt in their bundles The gentlemen pro-
tested that they could not get ln--there was
M room. The woman with the baby said she
,yould Get in: she was "agwine to Strasburg to
Snend christmas with her relations, whar she
was horn and raised, and whar she had not
hrnn for ten years, and nobody had better
ripht to the stage than she had, and she was
aewine, and Kitty Grim was agwlne too-shes
nv sister.law; and so IS baby, cause baby
never did see her relations IN Strasourg IN her
life. So, Uncle Ben !" she exclaimed to the
L. ,,,x, hor hackpt and hOy bV VOu-
and me and Kitty and baby, and the bundles
and lhe little basket will go inside" All this
was said amidst violent prOtestations 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 step and thrust her head In, saying
eff these gentlemen as gentlemen, and has got
any politeness, they will git out and set with
Uncle Ben and let ladies come 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 you do that at first? And now" said she,
looking at man on the front seat, there's
another seat by Uncle Ben; sposen you git out
and let Kitty Grim have your seat; she's bound
to TO-" The poor man quietly got out, with
out saying word, but the very expression of
his back, as he got out of the coach, was sub
dued. Nov, 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, the scene being over, the
passengers 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 pass
passes for white folks | never heard Of such
. tb;nr oip't NOT M Dacc nuthnr lttV
Grim suggested to her to keep quiet, as
the best policy. Just at that time Tennes-
see soldier had to confess that he had forgot
ten to get a passport. ~ on can't go on,
said the official; and tie soldier got out. Pres
emily the womans turn came. Madam, your
passport if you please. Il ain got none;nuth
or, is Kitty Grim that's my sister-in-law) we
amt agwine to git out neither, cause Wes
gwine to Strasburg to spend Christmas with
my relations, and l amt been thar for ten
year, and l never heard of white folks having
passes" But madam began the official;
"You needn't but, madam, me, cause
amt agwine to git out, and I'd like to see the
man what would put me out. This Is Tree
country, and Use agwine to Strasburg this
night, so you might as we'll take your lantern
out of my face But, madam, my orders,
began the picket. "Don't tell me nothing
bout orders: | don't care nothing bout ord
ers; ; and you needn't think, cause the Tennes-
see man got out that Use awine to git out
cause amt. Amt got three sons in the army,
great sight bigger than you is and they tit at
Manassas, and they amt no towards, nuther is
their mother and amt agwine to git out OF
this stage this night, but Pm gwine to Stras-
burg, whar | was born and raised
The poor man looked non-p n-plussed, but yet
another effort; he began, "My dear madam
II amt none of your dear madam; Use just q
free white woman, and so is Kitty Grim, and
we amt no niggers to get passes, and 1se
gwine long this pike to Strasburg Now Use
done talking" With this she settled herself
on the seat, and leant back with most deter
mined air and the discounted man shut the
door amid pealS OF laughter from within and
from without. In a few moments we were
quiet again, and all began to settle themselves
for sleep, when the silence was broken by our
heroine: Kitty, is you sick?" mo-" said
Kitty. "Well, it is wonder. Gentlemen,
can't one of you take Kittys scat, and give
her yOurn? she gifts monStrous sick when she
is riding with ner back to the horses. =
There was a deathhkc silence, and my curiosity
was aroused 20 know how she would manage
that point. After a few moments she began
again, Kitty, is you sick Z mo, says
Kitty, mot Wit. Well | do wish one OF you
gentlemen would give Kitty his seat, Stu
Nc, renly. All was becoming quiet again, when
she raised her voice: Kitty Grim, is you sick
Eyes" said Kitty, Just a little u knoTed
it, ( knowed she was sick; and when Kit,
~ Grim gis sick, she most IN gneMral M
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, oelng nsa ga
est. gave up his seat and took hers. Inc
change was soon effected amidst the most up
roarious laughter, all feeling that they were
A. .bo tbird fima ~