The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-09-15
dait and 9umor.
Kitty erim's Ride in a Stage Coach.

" 1'ueASAh AseluSeb uuftuS the war,
(Hale & Son, New York, 1867 It 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 aud 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 l4th of December, 1861. The weather
was bitter cold, and we congratulated our
selves that the coach was not crowded.
Mr.. Nee. and the girls were on the back
seat, Methodist clergyman, soldier and
myself, on the middle, and two soldiers
and our maid Betsy on the front seat
We went off by starlight, with every PROS
pect of pleasant drive Of eighteen 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 and q
box. The passengers began to shout out,
$50 on, driver: what do you mean2 there 8
no room for another; 90 on" The driver
made no answer, but the two woman 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
agwirc too-she's my sister, law; and so
is baby, cause baby never did see her rela-
tions in Strasburg in herlife. $50, Uncle
Ben p she exclaimed to the driver, stake
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 viii get out and set with
Uncle Ben, and let ladies come inside"
A pause ensned. At last subdued tone
from the soldier on the middle seat was
heard to say, MADAM, if you will get off
the step, will get out"
every well, sir; aud why didn't you say
that at first And now" said she, look
ing at a 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 60" The poor man quietly
got out, without saying 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 buadles; they won't poster the lady
much" The door was closed, and then,
the scene being over, the passengers shout
ed with laughter.
Our heroine remained perfectly passi We
until we got to the picket post, mile from
town. The driver stopped; a soldier came
up for passports. She was thunderstruck.
passes passes for white folksl Inever
heard of such thing. / 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 pass
port. "You can't 60 on, said the official
and the soldier got out.
Presently the woman's turn came
Madam, your passport, if you please"
~ 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
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
is free country, and Use agwine to Stras-
burg tonight, SO you might as well take
your lantern cut Of my face"
'But madam, my ORDERS" began the
picket.
"Don't tell me nothing bout orders; /
don't care nothing bout orders; and YOU
needn't think, cause the Tennessee man
got out, that Use gwine to get out--'cause
|. amt. Amt got three sons in the
army, great sight larger than you is, and
they fit at Manassas, and they amt no
towards, nuther is their mother, and I amt
agwine to get out of this stage this night,
but I'm gwine to Strasburg, whar was
born and raised"
The poor man looked non pllssed, but
yet another effort; he began, "My dear
madam"
81 amt none Of your dear madam; Use
Just free white woman, and 50 is Kitty
Grim, and we amt no niggars to get pass
ss, and Use gwine along this pike to Stras-
burg. Now Use done talking"
With this she settled herself on the seat
and leant back with most determined air,
and the discom6tted man shut the door
amid peals Of laughter from within and
without. In few moments we were quiet
lgsin, and all began TO settle themselves
for sleep, when the silence was broken by
our heroine.
"Kitty is you sick ?"
"No," said Kitty.
"Well, it is a wonder. Gentlemen.
can't one Of you take Kittys seat aud give
her yourn She gets monstrous sick when
she is riding with her back to the horses''
There was a death-like silence, and my
curiosity was aroused to know how she
would manage that point. AEter few
she began again.
UKitty il vou aiolr Pr