The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-08-14

she ever discovered tic DANCE. she was
In, her knees would give way under her
and would have the pleasure of carry
ing her the rest Of the way.
THE GossIPINa OLD LADY.
at last we reached the other bank and
were under cover of the railroad em.
bankment. Then the officer in charge O,
the pontoon came up to epeak to us. Be
was an old friend Mrs. Mitchell had NOT
daily. W.
GLOW do you do, Capt. HarrisY lam
10 giad 10 see you. How is your wife ?"
she is very WE'LL" said the astonished
captain, looking first at the old lady and
head.
She was SO busy tatt!!ng to the Captain
that she had not noticed It.
And your sisters, how are they ?"
Very well, l thank you," he said
politely, not wishing to be outdone in
coolness.
"Apd our friends, the Turners-have
you seen them lately ?"
He gazed at her in astonishment. The
forest trees around we're being riddIed by
shot and shell, but she was so busy talk.
ing about her neighbors she did not
notice them, their whistling sound being
drowned in the louder noise of the can.
nonading. Men were lying around
wounded and dying, but she did not see
very well, and she probably concluded
that they had assumed those postures to
escape being hurt. believe had she
known the re, ! state of tho case she
would have died of fright.
While she was prattling thus with her
old friend 1 noticed little group not far
aE-s squad af soldiers will, s go1sn
in their midst, and horse with a side.
saddle OH it, standing near. 1 Judged
that she had just ridden there, for she
stood, with her face dropped in her
hands, by the side of man who Law stiff
and stark upon the ground; while the
group around, by their looks and ges-
tures, testified their sympathy. Did she
come too .lste2 / wondered.
While l thus mused the wagons cross.
ed and we were hurried into them and
continued our flight till we reached CAL
houn, come six miles distant, being kept
on the alert all the way by the shells
crashing among the tree etops.
On reaching Calhoun it seemed almost
as if we had jumped from the frying. pan
into the fire, as the town was being
shelled and the citizens were flying for
their lives in every direction. A fierce
fight was going on. The Federal cavalry
were trying to cross the river and the
Confederates were trying to prevent
them. We could stand in the street and
witness tho fray, as the town was right
down on the river. But here we had to
give up our wagons, 30 we all dismount-
ed, glad to be relieved from our cramped
position, and from the four cat captains,
who had escaped from their bag and had
been disporting themselves on the backs
and shoulders Of the company. We took
refuge in little deserted house from
which every ono bad fed.
Excitement is ~ very good tonic, but
1t can't keep one up forever. We had no
breakfast and were all extremely hungry.
The cook, prosident soul, had come OF
with a large basket of bread. Come
other thoughtful creature, just before our
flight, had turned all the milk into the
water bucket, thinking thus to save both.
This idea had met with Capt. Mitchell's
warm approval as he chased up and down
the house, hnrrying everybody.
"a very good notion" said he, "Ill
see to that being taken care of, myself."
so the milk was consigned to his
charge, and when every one clamorously
demanded these viands, the captain said
he weEld enjoy drink Of m.!k.
Il take great credit to myself for say.
ing IT," he added complacently.
The cook produced the bread. The
milk, ah where was it? Nowhere to be
found The last known of it was when
it was seen on the hall table Just before
We left home, and make no doubt some
thirsty Confederate had long since con-
sumed it. A battery of reproachful eyer
were levelled on the captain, who looked
extremely foolish.
You would never have made good
butter.milk ranger. You are unfit for
the position" said Deisy severely as she
sorrowfuliy devoured her dry bread.
STILL UNDER FIRE.
But the fury of the fight around US
soon diverted our minds from our private
SORROWS.
Some officers climbed very high mill
in front of our little house for tie pur-
pose of accommodating, and lie Federals
opened fire On them in fine style. The
shells came whistling over our heads
striking the houses and shivering the
trees across the way, causing the officers
to beat hasty retreat. AS for old Mrs.
Mitchell, thought she would have had
a spasm. It was the frat time she real.
lied she was in any danger. AS every
shell burst, she leaped up crying, "Lord
preserve meW and al they burst every
minute or two, she came nearer obeying
the Bible injunction to "pray without
ceasing" than any one I have ever seen.
By night the dear old lady was very sick,
and we were all feeling quite anxious
about her.
Early in the day Capt. Mitchell left
US, after giving strict orders that we
were to remain closely indoors, and not
expose ourselves to the gaze Of the sol.
diery, who constantly passed to and fro
before the door. As he seemed very
anxious and worried, We thought il best
to faithfully promise to obey him but
just as soon as we made sure he was out
of sight We sailed forth and stationed
ourselves upon the fence, or any where
else that we could get good sight of the
fighting going on. We could be in no
more danger in one place than another,
and preferred to be shot out Of doors to
have the roof come crashing down upon
our heads. As for Daisy, who had 80
long desired to see battle, she hung
upon the gate, and being anxious to help
in the good cause, handed water to every
thirsty soldier who passed. It was really
strange to see how many of them were
athirst. ira
Commences of interest did away with