New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-12
THE EUTAW FLAG

That God wished Tor Duttefcup
Just here where you are grown
THE EUTAW FLAG.
In the early spring Of the year 1880 tw
ladies attired il morning 1eghge were 81,
ting together in the parlor of a fine oil
country mansion in lower South Carolina
The remains of two or three huge hickor
logs were smouldering on the capaciou
hearth, for the cool air of the early morn
ing made fires still comfortable, thougl
as the day wore on and the Southern sui
gathered power the small-paned window
which opened on the lawn had been raiset
TO admit the soft breeze, which alread,
whispered of opening flowers and breathet
the sweet fragrance of the jessamine and
magnolia. These same embers woult
have furnished heat enough in house O
modern construction to have made the
room intclerable, buta as they reposed upor
their bed of ashes in the depths Of the
wide-mouthed chimney place, hzily send
ing up their little curls Of smoke, they
served only to create draft power which
cooled the apartment by the free circula.
ton of the fower-scented air.
The wide lawn was green with the fresh
spring grass, amid which q lively com.
pany of field-larks were busily searching
for grasshoppers and grubs, their gay yell
low breasts and jetty breastpins CHANGING
in the sunlight as they raised their heads
Ting notes! The blackbirds pulled their
feathers and sounded their singular call
from the branches of the old pecan tree,
and the flashing of the oriole enlivened
the sombre foliage Of the enormous live
oaks in the avenue. Three or four deer
hounds were stretched about under the
broad benches of the piazza or snapped
at the flies under the shade of the rose
bushes, already heavy with bloom, pay
ing no attention to the tame doe which
jingled her little bell over their very
heads as she stretched up to browse the
young shoots of ''rose-candy" above
them. Two hooking birds, one perched
on the chimney-stack of the house, and
the other on struggling spray of the
wild-orarge hedge, We'd with each other
in initiating the medley of bird Language
which made the air vocal on every side,
pouring rich food of melody through
the open windows and into the apprecia-
tive ears of the ladies who sat within.
"What lovely day." exclaimed the
elder of the two as she dropped her piece
of embroidery and rose to look out upon
the scene.
''Oh, how I wish we could take long
ride! Here have been staying at Oak
lands three whole weeks, and have not
been in the saddle once! declare, Jane,
this horrid war will never be over" and
Rebecca Stead drew long sigh and
leaned her pretty head thoughtfully
against the sash.
''Well suppose we ride over to The
Willows" answered Jane Elliott with
ringing laugh. eff you'll take the old
broken-winded mare, I'll take one of the
plough-mules, and Billy can go with US
on the other. Wouldn't it be fun?"
In response to the bell, Billy soon made
his appearance-an elderly negro Of most
respectable appearance, dressed in blue
cloth coat with large brass buttons, red
plush waistcoat with flaps nearly reaching
his knees, and pair of yellow breeches
with plated knee-buckles and coarse blue
worsted stockings. A single glance at his
face and bearing was enough to show his
citation of the responsibility Of his posi-
ton. He listened with look of utter
amazement to the orders of his young
mistress, and then replied in tone Of
stern authority, such as none but an old
family negro servant could assume
miss Jane, dat mule nebber had no
saddle pom he back sence he been born"
We'll, Billy, it's lhigh time he should |
know how it feels"
''He wi kick you brains out fore you
git on um, an broke you neck fore you
kin git from here to de gate"
ooh, nonsense, Billy Have the saddle |
put on him at once, and get the old mare
tor Miss Rebecca."
Miss 'Becca can't ride de old mare
tid-day, cause she way down in de pas
ture, an anybody can't ketch UNI in tree
hour time; an you can't ride de mule,
Miss Jane. cause you ma done tell me
must tex good care O you an de house
vile she gone, an I amt gwine let you
broke YOU neck or you arm-not It'd
day. And Billy quietly walked out and |
closed the door, leaving the young ladies |
half vexed and and half amused at bis
summary disposal of their scheme.
'.After Tarleton's troop and that horrid |
Tory Ball took my saddle.pony out of |
the pasture, said Miss Elliott, "mamma
sent all the blooded horses to General
Lincoln, and we hear that they were
turned over to the Virginia Light Horse"
"Yes," replied Miss Stead, with mis-
chievous smile, ''and l hear that Colonel |
Washington has taken the beautiful bay
mare for his own mount, and named her
Jane"
That's piece Of his Virginia impu.
dence," rejoined Miss Elliott. II have
met him only once, at General Yards,
and think he has taken great liberty
with my name. They say he behaved
at Trenton and Princeton"
"Oh, wish he would call while am
here" said her companion. sThey saw
be is an elegant rider. wonder if he
looks like the General? I don't believe
ary Virginian can ride better than our
rouup men. wonder if he can take up
. handful of sand at gallop, like cousin
John Izard?"
"Or Jump his horse on the table. sug-
rested Miss Elliott with roguish glance,
las I've heard that Mr.. lizard did one
ay after club dinner" s,-, l.
Miss Stead colored slightly as she said
hat the gentlemen all complained of the
Erencth of the last box Of claret received
aTbis fine old relic Of the revolution ID preserved
, the Washington Light Infantry Of Charleston.
nth Csrolina 1t was bor1e by Colonel william |
aslingtcn's corps q. CowpeGs and kutsw.