Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-10-23
MIsCELLAHE GUS.
KITTY GR1M'S RIDE IN A STAGE
COACH.

ssy MONG the many familiar chronicles of
SS the war, none cxcels in interest the
diary of Southern Refugee during the
war;" (Iale 4 Son, New York.. 1863 1t
is understood to be from the pen of gifted
lady of Virginia. wife of Episcopal cler>
gyman and member of a family connection
widely known and esteemed.
The humorous extract below strikes us
not as unworthy of Dickens
We left Winchester in the stage coach
for Strasburg at 10 o'clock at night, on the
14th of December 1861. The weather was
bitter cold, and we congratulated ourselves
that the coach was not crowded Mr.. McC.
and the girls were on the back seat, Meth
odist clergy man, soldier aud myself, on the
middle and two soldiers and our maid Betsy
on the front seat We went off by starlight,
with every prospect of a pleasant drive OF
eighteen miles
As we were leaving the suburbs of the
town, the driver drew up before a small
house, from which issued two women with
baby, two baskets several bundles and a box.
The passengers began to shout out, ''Go on,
driver: what do you mean? there's no room
for another; go on" The driver mado
answer, but the two women came to tho
coach door and began to put in their bundles.
The gentlemen protested that they could
not get in there was ho room The woman
with the baby said she would get in ; she
was "agwne tn Strasburg to spend Christ
mas with her relations. whar she was born
and raised, and whar she had not been for
ten years, and no body had a better right
to the stage than she had and she was agwine,
and Kitty Grim was agwine toO-shes my
sister-in. law; and so is baby, cause baby
never did see her relations in Strashurg in
her life So, Uncle Ben p she exclaimed to
the driver, take my basket and box with
you, and nc. and Kitty, and baby and the
bundles and the little basket will 20 inside"
All this was said amidst violent protesta-
tions from the men within: ''You can't get
in driver. 20 on" But, suiting the action
to the word. she opened the door, calling,
''Coue Kitty" got on the step and thrust
her head in rsying: "lf these gentlemen
is gentlemen. and has got any politeness,
they viii got 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 say, MADAM,
if you will get of the step, will get out"
Very we'll, sir and why didn't you say
that at f-st2 And now" said she, looking
at man on front seat; "there's another scat
by Uncle Ben sposoen you git out and let
Kitty Grim have your seat; she's bound to
go" The poor man quietly got ont, without
saying a 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 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 passports. She was thunders,ruck.
"Passes passes for white folks l never
heard of such thing I amt got no pass
nuther is Kitty Grim" suggested to her
to keep quiet, as the best policy. Just at
that time Tennessee soldier had to confess
that he had forgotten TO get a passport.
''You can't go on" said the official and the
soldier got out
Presently the wonsn's turn came
'Msdam. your passport. if you please"
81 amt got none nuther is Kitty Grim
CHATS my sister in>law;) and we amt
agwine to get out nuther; cause we's gwine
to Strasburg to spend Christmas with my re-
lations, and l been there for ten years. and l
never heard of white folks having passes"
But, madam" began the nfisial.
"You needn't but madam me. cause amt
GgwiDe to get out. and I'd ike to see the
man who would put me out. This IS free
country, and Use agwine to S'raws6ur2 TO-
night. so you might as we'll take your lantern
out of my face"
'.But madam, my orders, began Inc
picket.
Don't tell me nothing bout orders;