The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-09-28
M i S @ ella ne US.
Kitty Grim's Ride in Stage Coack.

Among the many familiar chronicles OF
the war, none excels in interest the "Diary
of a Southern Refugee during the War;
(Hale e Son, New York, 1863 1t is
understood to be from the pen of gifted
lady Of Virginia, wife of an Episcopal
clergyman and member of a family con-
nection 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 18th Of December, 1861. The weather
was bitter cold, and we congratulated our
selves that the coach was not crowded.
Mr.. McC. and the girls were on the back
seat, a Methodist clergyman, a soldier and
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
q baby, two baskets, several bundles and a
box. The passengers began to shout out,
$50 on, driver what do you mean there's
no room for another; 60 on" The driver
made no answer, but the two women came
to the coach door and began to put in their
bundles. The gentlemen protested that
they could not get in-there was no room
The woman with the baby said she would
get in; she was ''agwine to Strasburg to
spend Christmas with her relations, whar
she was born and raised, and whar she had
not been for ten years, and no body had
better right to the stage than she had and
she was agwine, and Kitty Grim was
agwine too-she's my sister in-law; and so
is baby, cause baby never did see her
relations in Strasburg in her life. So,
Uncle Ben !" she exclaimed to the driver
'take my basket and box with you, and
me and Kitty and baby and the bundles
and the little basket will go inside"
All this was said amidst violent protes-
tations from the men within: "You can't
get in; driver, go 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: "If these
gentlemen is gentlemen, and has got any
politeness, they will get out and set with
Uncle Ben, and let ladies come insiden
A pause ensued. At last subdued tone
from the soldier on the middle seat was
heard to say, MADAM, if you will get off
the STEP l will get out"
Every well sir; and why didn't YOU saw
that at first And now," said she, look.
ing at man on the seat; there's another
seat by Uncle Ben; sposen you git out and
let Kitty Grim have your seat she's bound
to CO." The poor man quietly got out
without saying word, but the very ex
preston 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, a mile from
town. The driver stopped, a soldier came
up for passports. She was thunderstruck.
passes passes for white folks l never
heard of such thing l amt got no pass;
nuther is Kitty Grim" l 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 pass
port. "You 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 amt got none nuther is Kitty Grim
CHATS my sister-in law y and we amt
agwine to get out nuther, cause we's gwine
to Strasburg to spend Christmas with my
relations, and amt been there for ten
years, and 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 I'd like to see
the man who would put me out. This lisa
free country, and I'se agwine to Strasburg
tonight so you might as well take your
lantern out ofmy face"
"But madam my orders" began the pick
ct.
Don't tell me nothing bout orders; I
don't care nothing bout orders and you
needn't think, cause the Tennessee man
got out, that Use gwine to get out-'cause
l amt Amt got three sons in the army,
a great sight larger than you is, and they
fit at Manassas, and they amt no towards,
nuther is their mother, and | amt agwine
to get out of this stage this night, but Pm
gwine to Strasburg, whar was born and
raised"
The poor man looked non plussed, but
yet another effort, he began, "My dear
madam"
81 amt none of yOur dear madam I'se