The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-21

oefe, safe from the cares OF the weary years,
And thank my God with falling tears
For the things in the bottom drawer.
MALEDICTlON FULFILLED.
A True and Romantic Incident Of the Late
Civil War.
II. w. Avery, Colonel Fourth Georgia Cavalry,
in Cincinnati Enquirer.
In the domain of fiction the use OF
verified malediction is tavorite artifice
OF dramatic effect. Upon the stage, that
scene of simulated passion, we find it
used with impressive influence. In the
realm of the real, history recalls no we'll
authenticated instance of realized curse.
The following Is literal case that &C.
cured during the war, under the personal
knowledge of the writer, and has been the
theme of much speculation. Whether it
was mere coincidence, happening with
out real connection, or whether it was
one of those mysterious matters of mex
plicable romance that break the current
, of staid prosaic facts, must ever remain
an unsolved problem. I will vouch
for the details alone. The reader must
exercise his own judgement upon them:
OLD AUNT RACHEL STONE.
The incident began in the early part
Of 1868. The writer commanded
regiment of Georgia cavalry. Most of
the members of this regiment came from
Whitfield and the adjoining counties in
the northern part OF the State Of Georgia.
Among the soldiers was youth named
Stone, who enlisted in the company
raised in Murray county by Capt. Reu-
ben Keith. The mother Of young Stone
was very notable character. She was
called Old Aunt Rachel Stone. Her hus-
band was dead and she was still widow
supporting her family on small farm.
She was woman Of marked and pecu-
liar appearance, very large, erect, mas
culine creature, with the frame, muscles
and stride OF man. She was over six
feet high. broad shouldered, massive,
sinewy, Of immense physical vigor and
strength, performing manual labor on
her farm with the power and readiness
OF a man, ploughing, splitting rails and
such other work requiring force and en-
durance.M She had face, clear, open, de-
cided, Of remarkably positive expression,
a large, bright blue eye, of piercing pene-
tration, a.nose OF character, a broad thin-
Tipped mouth, firm. set, q conforma-
ton of jaw full of will and power.
broad high brow, and unkempt
blonde hair that was often hanging loosely
on her shoulders and which, when so
futterlng around her expressive. counte.
nance and heavy frame, gave an effective
individuality to her appearance. The
most impressive thing at least about hel
was her manner of talking. She had 8
deep, clear voice, and an oracular way Of
uttering her words that were singularly
forcible. She spoke with dcllberatloI
precision, a measured emphasis and .
ringing earnestness that always held tn,
attention. She was naturally oratorica
In her manner and utterances. A public
speaker might have learned something
from her. She expressed herself with un
usual directness and sort of dramati,
flavor that lost nothing from the fac
that it was couched in rude words ant
uncultured idiom. There was always
also, an originality in her opinions ant
expressions that interested hearer. He
mind was bold and independent, though
uneducated, and her intelligence stlon,
and picturesque, though unframed.
She took her teddy at times, and evel
exceeded prudent ration OF spirits o.
extra occasions. But there was neve
anything against her chastity, AM
she prided herself very much upon he
unblemished character. Said she once t
the writer in her peculiar manner, wit
an added ring to her earnest voice, an
dwelling with her oracular emphasis upo
each distinct syllable.
t'Mebue you think am drab. Blu
amt! I am one of jeff Davis daugh
tcrs.'
She prided herself very much upo
being good, worthy subject of the con
federacy, which she habitually epltomiz
ed under the name Of jeff Davls.' TAX
her all IN all, with her strong sense, he
original intelligence, her decisive meth
DDS, her keen penetration, her impress
slve expressions, her shrcwd oh servatlol
of public matters and her rough, bu
picturesque individuality, and she wa
a very remarkable character, and to m
study of considerable interest.
CAPT. REUBEN KEITH.
The other leading character in this un
common and tragical affair was Cap
Reuben Keith, one Of the best officers i
my regiment. He was a well-to-do,w well
educated farmer of Murray county, age
somewhere between thlrty-fve and forty
man of high character and STANDING
He was q conservative, straightforward
practical citizen and soldier, unlversall
respected, his just, deliberate, decide
methods carrying great weight AM
influence. His appearance wa
an index of the man. He was
\ stout, we'll proportioned, sturdy -lookin
gentleman, erect and solid, with a fin
open face, full of intelligence and will
and good temper. He looked the Angle
Saxon all over, with his fair skin, rudd
color, light hair and fine blue eyes, $
. clear and direct in their gaze. He ha
an unusually clear Judgment, and wa
noted for his truth and integrity. II
had the quality of reliability to a
uncommon degree. He was brave an
lskillful officer and an excellent disciplr
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