The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-02-18
Laughable Experience.

gifted lady of Virginia, wife Of an 'Bpls-
copaI clergyman, and member of family
connection widely known and esteemed'
The humorous extract below strikes us
as not unworthy Of Dickens:
We left Winchester in the stage coach
for Strasburg at 10 O'Clock at night, on
the 14th December, 1861. The weather
was bitter cold, and we congratulated
ourselves that the coach was not crowded.
Mr. MEG. and the girls wcro on the back
scat, Methodist clergyman, soldier
and myself, on the middle, and two sol.
ders and our maid Betsey on the front
seat. We went off by starlight, with
every prospect of IL pleasant drive of
eighteen miles.
AS we wero leaving the suburbs of the
town, the driver drew up before small
house, from which issued two women
with baby, two baskets, several bundles
and box. The passengers began to
shout out eGo on driver; what do you
mean there's no room for another-go
on" The driver made no answer, but
the two women came to tho coach door
and began to put in the bundles. The
gentlemen protested that they could not
ret in-thero was 70 room. The woman
with the baby said she would get in; she
was "agwino 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 tho stage than she had,
and she was agwine, and Kitty Grim was
agwine too--she's my sisterin-law; and
so is baby, cause baby never did see her
relations in Strasburg in her life. So,
Uncle Ben v' she exclaimed to the driver,
stake my bag, basket and box by you,
and me and Kitty and baby, and the bun
dies and the little basket will 60 inside"
All this was said amidst violent protes-
tations from tho men within. "You can't
get in; driver, 90 on" But, suiting the
action 10 the word, she opened the door,
calling, "Come, Kitty" got on the step
those gentlemen is gentlemen, and has
got any politeness, they will get out and
set with Uncle Ben, and let ladies come
inside" A pause ensued. At last a sub
dued tone from the soldier on the middle
seat was heard to say, MADAM, if you
will get off the step, will get out"
avery we'll, sir; and why didn't you
do that at first? And ,now," said she,
looking at man. on the front seat
.slhere's another scat by Uncle Ben ;
sposen you git out and let Kitty Grim
have your seat; she's bound to co. The
Door man quietly got out, without saying
word, but the very expression OF his
back, as he got out of the coach, was sub
ducd. "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. 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 SOL
dicr came up for passports. She was
thundcrstruck. "Passes passes for white
folks I never heard of such thing.
| amt cot no pass; nuther is Kitty Grim"
[ suggested to her to keep quiet. as the
best policy. Just at that time Tcnnes-
see soldier had to confess that he had for
gotten to get passport. "Iou can't go
On" said the official, and the soldier got
out.
Presently the woman's turn came.
MADAM, your passport, if you please"
81 ain't got none; nuther is Kitty
Grim. that's my sistcr-n-law; We amt
arwine to get out nuthcr; cause wc's
wine to Strasburg to spend Christmas
With nv relations. and amt been there
for fen years. and I never heard Of white
folks having passes"
"But. madam" began the official.
"You needn't but, madam me, cause
l amt agwine to get out, and Id like to
see the man that would put me out.
This is free country, and Use agwine to
Strasburg tonight, so you might as. well
take Your lantern out Of my face"
"Bnt, madam, my ORDERS" began the
picket.
Don't tell me nothing bout orders l
don't caro- nothing bout orders; and yon
needn't think cause the Tennessee man
got out, that Use gwine to get out cause
/ ain't. Amt got three sons in the ar,
my, great sight larger than you is, ana
they fit at Manassas, and they amt no
towards. nuthcr is their mother, and /
amt agwine to get out Of this stage this
night, but Pm gwinc to Strasburg, whar
| was born and raised"
The poor man looked non p1ussed, but
yet another effort; he began;
MY dear madam"
81 ain't mono of your dear madam; Use
Just free white woman, and SO is KITTY
Grim, and VIC ain't no niggers to get
masses, and Use gwno along this pike to
Stmsburg. Now, 1'sc done talking"
With this she settled herself on the
soot ,nd leant back with :. most deter
mined air, and the discomftted man shut
tho door amid pcals of laughter from
within and without. In few moments
wo were quiet again, and all began to
settle themselves for sleep, when The ST.
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