Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-07-17
HOW RICHMOND L
The Story from the Inside Told by One
Who Was a Child There.

NAS IVY ~ Ah@ ioiA Ao1 - S'~
Who Was a Child There.
Chicago Herald: The four years Of
war seemed but a pleasant play time.
The straits and inventions necessity
compelled were greeted as new and
enchanting games, and the tears we
sometimes saw our elders shed were
uncomprehended and speedily forgot
ten. So now 1t seems to me the war;,
or ut least all that it brought of terror
and dismay, began the night before the
end. None Of us children dreamed Of
what was impending. Supper was not
dispensed with Gas more than ace it
had been), and we found our nurseries
as snug as usual. j suppose it must
have been about 10 o'clock when the
saddened. quiet voices of women. and
the deep, grave tones of xious men
in the adjoining room reused nle from
my sleep. ! crept softly T." he half
open door and saw, in what seemed to
my sleepy eyes a brilliant light, The
soldierly figures of my father and uncle
their swords and hats laid aside.
Surprising this to be n joyful occas-
ion, an unexpected return, l sprang
with a glad cry upon the startled group.
With Il hasty kiss my father put me
from him. ..Send the child to bed,
Jeanne; there is much to be done"
This was cruel. Things seemed all
wrong to me. But the order was
promptly obeyed, and my mother led
me of, a most unwilling and fearful
victim. A little petting from her helped
matters and reduced me to meekness
and bed, but sleep was impossible.
With II promise that she would leave
the door open if I'd be good she left
me.
The people in the adjoing room
moved about. | heard the tearing OF
papers. Then they unlocked the eel
~larette and locked it again; then words
of warning would come to me. What
did it mean? Why must they be
guarded with Tom"-good, blind
Tom-and why was nanny going
away? And | wandered off, sleepily
thinking what would we dc if Nanny
didn't dress us il the morning Would
we stay in bed all daye | rather
thought that would be fun. There
were nine of us-mv little cousin and
ourselyes-and perhaps mother would
let us play all together in the big mur
sery at the top of the house. Here my
eyes closed and there was a blank.
Never mind the others, Jeanne. if
only Sadie keeps up. They are all SO
little he sighed.
woke with a start. This was q
very strange sight. l must be in IA
fairy story, for there. bending over me,
were those two, so wrapped IN each
other that they scarcely seemed to see
my eyes were open as they spoke of
me.
'.Remember, dear" he went on.
you always have your diamonds and
the silver that is left, but that must
only go for bread. | may be sooner
back than | think, and help will come
from the other side as soon rs the line
can be crossed"
But if you do not come, what does
it matter?" and she hung tearlessly,
despajringly, upon him.
Why" Jeanne, this isn't q battle;
they are over" he added bitterly.
Il rely on Soc" he went on hurriedly.
He is faithful, and if the other ne
groes 90, he will look to you. Movie
me kiss the child. Why she's awake.
Kiss father, Sadie; take care of mother
and the Others" and with q most salts
factory hug he drew my mother away,
Some hurried movements, and blinking
of swords quickly buckled on, some
sobs from aunt, and the door closed
behind them.
They came back presently, these two
careworn sisters. letting each other see
the misery and terror that must be con
quered by the daylight. They put
whisky and tobacco on the mantel,
carefully rolled up some lace, remnants
of former grandeur, sewing it careful
~ in their clothing. l saw my mother
take two rare pieces of silver. older
than our country, and wrapping them
in rags, put them up the ~iireless chin
ney. | watched it all in dumb amaze
ment, my senses taking in and half APP
preciating what would have been He
brew the day before. The next morn.
ing the first thought that came to mt
was relief that Nanny was there, and
MS ] sat up and rubbed my eyes, | said
NANNY, | thought you'd gone; papa
said So"
He amt never said no such foolish,
ness" she fatty contradicted, "How
de name or God Miss Annie gwine to
do 'dout me, let alone you contrary
chillun-"
'But Mammy--"
You git outen dis bed and put den
stockings on. l suppose" the willy
old dame went on. seeing some pout.
ing imminent. lyon don want to sec
no fire. All de odders been looking "a
it dis long time"
But did not spring chcerfully mp to
the distasteful scrubbing and hair curl,
ing with which Nanny regularly af
flicted us. She handed me n SECOND
nair az stnctipus as | accomnlished th,