The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-04-09
MEMOIRS OF A CHILD.
EhTillinE story OF the Experiences
of One Family During Rioh-
mond's Fall.
BY MISS L MI. PLEAsAsrs.

We were 8 strange household, yet a M .
sample Of those crowded into Richmond .
The roomy old house that had not been ac-
counted in happier days too large for my +
cunts family was now stretched by power
y and old Virginia hospitality to accom-
modate my fathers family and one other
the latter refugeeing, as we always said
of those who fed from homes made un-
safe by the occupation of the snemy's
forces from the far South. Besides these
there was the " soldiers room" which
every house, however crowded, gave to
the cause and which was rarely empty.
The four years Of war seemed to me
but 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 So now II seems 70 me the war, OF
at least all that Il brought OF terror and
oismay, began the night before the end
None Of rs children dreamed Of what
was impending. Supper was not dispensed
with (ss more than once II had been) and
we found our nurseries as snug as usual.
! The pretty breakfast room had long ago
I Teen converted into my mothers chamber,
/ which l. the eldest, shared with her,
and 70 this fact I am indebted for the
/ strange, dream-like impressions that
crowded that night
FATEFUL NIGHT.
/ l suppose it must have been about ten
/ O'Clock when the saddeued, quiet voices Of
I women and the deep, grave tones Of
anxious men IN the adjoining room reused
/ me from my sleep. l CrePt softly TO the
balfOpen door and saw, in what seemed
/ to my sleepy eyes brilliant light, the
! sOldierly figures OF my father and uncle,
their swords and hats laid aside.
SupPosing this 70 be a Joyful occasion,
/ an unexpected return, l sprauE with a
glad cry upon the startled group. With
"a hasty kiss my father put me from him.
/ tsSend the child to bed, Jeanne: there Is
much 70 be done" This was cruel
Things seemed all wTonR 70 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 q
promise that she wOnld leave the door
open IL IA ue good she left me.
The people in the adjoining room
moved about. 1 heard the tearing OF
papers Then they unlocked the celsrette
and locked II again; then words OF warn
ing would come to me- What did n
meant Why must they be guarded
with Tom" good, kind Tom-aud why
was Nanny going awRyi And I wand
dered of sleepy thinking what would we
do II Nanny didn't dress Us in the morn
Ing. Would we stay in bed sll day5 rather
thought that would be fun There were
nine Of us-my little cousin and ourselves
/ and perhaps mother would let US play
all together in the big nursery at the top
Of the house. Here my eyes closed And
there was a blank.
Tbs BATTLES OVER
''Never mind the others, JeRnie, II only
Sadie keeps up. They are all 50 little" he
sighed. twoke with a start. This was a
very strange night, Imust be in fairy
story, for there, bending over me, were
T. - - E-,a
they scarcely seemed 70 see my eyes were
open as they spoke Of me
URemember, dear" he went on, you
always have your diamonds and the silver
that Is left but that must only go for
bread. ImRy be sooner back than think
and help viii come from the other side as
eoon as the line can be crossed
uBut II you do not come, what does Il
matter" and she hung tearlessly, des-
pairingly upon him. why, Jeanie, this
Isn't a battle; they are over,' he added,
bitterly. Il rely on Joe" he went on,
/ hurriedlv. "He IS faithful and il the
other negroes 20 he viii look to you,
Now let me kiss the child. Why she's
awake, Kiss father, Sadie; take care OF
mother and the others - and, with a most
satisfactory hug he drew my mother away,
Some hurried movements, the clinking OF
swords quickly buckled on, some sObs from
aunt, and the door closed on them.
, csre-vorn sisters, letting each other SEA
the misery and terror that must be con
uuered By the daylight. They put whisky
and tobacco on the mRutel, carefully ROLLED
! up some lace, remnants Of former gran
deur sewing il carefully In their cloth
1 ing. I saw my mother take Two rar
r pieces Of silver, older than our country
and wrapping them tenderly in rag
! put them up the fireless chimney
watched Il all IN dumb amaZement m
: senses taking in and half appreciatini
/ what would have been Hebrew 10 me th
= day before.
NANNY FHILOs0FHTI
I The next morning the first thought tina
: came to me was Of relief that Nanny wa
there, and as I sat up and rubbed my eye
I said Nanny, / thought you'd gone
Z papa said So"
/ He amt never said no such foOlisl
/, ness" she fatty contradicted, " How d
name er God Miss Annie gwtne 10 q
"a 'dout me- let alone you contrary chllun" -
z "But Nanny
5. You cit outiu dis bed and put deI
stockings on suppose - the willy old dam
went on seeing some pOuttng immluen
"vou don want to see no fire. All
odders bin lookin' at II dis long time"
W But 1 did not spring cLeerfully up
le the distaste teful scrubbing and hair curtin
~ with which Nanny regularly afflicted u
u, She handed me a second psir OF stockins
+. as accomplished the last garter
IN .tWhat for Nanny - I asked.
uTain't no use your askin' question
y chile" size replied. Il reckon / know
Miss Jinnie's orders; you amt obleegt
- 70 know ebcrytlng." she added, 81 Yer
' aettin so smart YOU 'bleeged TO be
ri knowing you better comb your ov
nd hvarr But she helped me kindly euOug
Nobody minded Mammy's talk and
y, this occasion I found two Of kind We
interesting.
~. When the last curl was accurately g
nb Justed she led me to the window with
vo tSdyar uow7" How beautiful fl seemed
un me The familiar fiour-mills that used
al! loom up black and ugly in the distar
~" how IN bright flames, with every windC
a jewel
= LATE, NOT HAELY.
adj How red the sky was, And yet
Sa- struck me there was no sun. Is il W
X early >" | asked. 9" An your mar done
"a Won sleep All dis time An all dc chill
e7 done dressed and gone. No, chile,
ali late, an ef you don hurry d'aint no br
,en fus for YOU dis mornin'" But there W
as usual. my own special meal wait
for me, graced with the solitary piece
butter which had been saved for the q
if cate one. so ungrudgingly given tha
-.s never occurred 70 the other children {
their poor sorghum was plain fare
When 1 saw the sad faces Of my mot
and aunt each pressing upon the OF
the scanty meal both so sOrely neeC
the events Of the night came back to
I'm and | was somewhat surprised. CE
like however / was eager TO escape
ear disagreeable and fastened TO Join
usual morning crowd Of children on
front steps.
ilrt Isn't il funny" I began, imp1rt0r
we've got on two eveTythings,