The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-10-02

morning the mother announced with
fearful eyes that the last of them appear
ed on the table before them. An omi
| nous silence ensued, broken by the en-
trance of Job, who walked around K
where his mistress sat aud waited for hii
accustomed food. A sudden look O
intelligence flashed into the faces Of the
older members of the family, and tht
mother reading their thoughts, said:
"Nellie, I'm afraid it has become q
question Of jobs life or ours he 10 very
fat and would last us good while, OF
else we could exchange the meat With
Bob Crow for some corn, and hold Out
till the Southern army comes and leaves
us something. 1t can't be long before
they como to help us now"
"Kill Job !" cried the child, "I'd just
as soon eat piece of Emma as to ea,
him. Oh mother, just wait, anyhow
until tomorrow. heard Uncle Jake
tell Bob Grow this morning that the
Yankee General had brought whole 10,
of things over to Middletown and that
the Rebels could get plenty to eat Il
they would only 60 for 1t there. Only
just wait and let US sec If It is co."
ANYTHING TO SAVE JOB.
The child's pleadipge prevailed, and
during the day there was . confirmation
of the morning report. An old. gray.
haired neighbor stopped ut the we'll for q
drink. He had meal sack on his arm,
and told them he was on his way to NJ,
six miles distant, to draw rations for his
family b! oTphha grand children, and
eisissrd them 4. lns.: 40 ts:n= 4, following
his example.
Tbs Federal authorities, umitten with
late regret for the vigorous measures that
had reduced the Valley to its present con.
dition, had really sent store of army
supplies to the neighboring village, froni
whence each family could draw Eations
enough to Of least sustain life. But this
clemency was accompanied by such con.
ditlons as to render It great trial 10 any
Southerner who nvailed herself of it.
Besides, 1t was difficult matter for wo.
men and children to walk so far aud car
ry away sufficient supply for even very
small family, and there were no other
means of transportation. The mater
was discussed pro and con in the widows
household, and the motion "laid upon the
table" over night.
Next morning, while breakfasting on o
few email potatoes, minus salt, there ap.
peareG at the door Mrs. s., the wife of q
neigh,,oring farmer. She was mounted
on queer specimen of q steed, the 70.
mains of what had once been stout
plough horse, but now sad wreck OF its
former self. Having been for weeks
hidden in the swamp It was gaunt and
fly. bitten, aud one of its feet, which had
been stung by o snake, was swollen to
the size of O mans head. Still even auch
o "mount" as this was considered rather
"swell" affair In those days, aud they
all focked TO the porch to welcome their
visitor.
She, too, was full of the tidinGs that
"there was corn in Egypt" was on her
way now to NJ, and wanted Mrs. B. to
accompany her.
"But, how cap go9" quoth the latter.
~ can't walk 30 far with such load, and
your horse can only carry you."
Saddle Old Bet there and try her.
Sho ouBas 70 last Jou there, and, may be,
live to bring you back. Anyhow. it's
All eyes turned upon Old Bet, who
was ut that moment calmly nunching
the contents Of straw bed which had
been emptied upon the ground the even.
ing before for har benefit. Aaa FL! sag
that though tho spirit was there, the flesh
was ominously weak.
"Besides," added Mrs. B., "i'ye never
asked favor Of the Yankees, or placed
myself In position to be humiliated by
them. I don't believe I could do it."
Eyes you can," was the reply. "ADy.
thing rather than see the children suffer.
And as for favors, don't consider that
we're asking any favor Of them. It's
only getting back o little Of all they've
stolen from US, aud / believe 10 doing
that whenever we can.i Come, get ready,
and let us be cff." ,.,,,',ss .S l.,
eyes, mother, anything TO save job"
summed up Nellie. And before she
knew what che was about, Mrs. B. found
horself perched upon dilapidated ssddie
on old Bet's back, hobbiipg down the
lane in the wake OF her enterprisiDg
neighbor, bearing on her arm the empty
ssck that waa te bring hack food 70 ths
waiting household.
They might almost aB well have been
mounted on snnils for tho iprogress they
made, and when they came To the river,
which had to be forded, It proved d very
Rubicon to them. It was crossed though,
as all Rubicons are, in the course of time,
and noon found them at their destination,
where .:sA@
A STRANGE soEEB MET THEIR SIGHT.
From oil quarters were coming the
vretched Inhabitants, Intent, like them.
selves, upon securing food for the hungry
mouths at home.' Here O tired woman,
with babe on one arm and q little tod.
dler clinging 10 her skirts, appeared with
10 homemade basket to carry away her
treasures eg -four and meal. y There q
twelve year old boy, dragging o little
wooden cart of, his own construction, and
very proud of overcoming the difficulties
Of transportation. Old men, bent and
gray, leaning on their stout canes, aud
having slnng over their shoulders ths
cast.olf hasefsack picked up, from The
deserted battlefield. Aged women, hob
bling along, accompanied by tow. headed
grandchildren, and bringing neatly fold
ed la hand their calico 7bundlS,Lhaud
kSrchiefs. 2 Shy young giris, with ,basks,
ana bag; Nlushing under the impudefi
leefs and coarse jests, of the ioafing soldf
cry. All were there, but never o mar
appeared among them! capable, Of Bearing
arms, These we're all with Lee ahe
Rosser2 at their posts Of duty. Two ii
three sorry wrecks Fof iiofsefleah, similal
to those we've describec, were fastened
nearthe condmissary quafters, With these
exceptions; The applicants we're all afoot
As, tdr two friends srods into view asthc,
wers greeted With laughter and jsers bi
tb4 young orderiles and privates loungini
I I IS Halloo. ais T. cried cne.s a. tho sWolls.