The Frankfort roundabout., 1886-10-09
III

The earth was a.tremble with the shock
and the force
Of a conflict impending, long years in his
course;
There was tramping of soldiers, and the
cannon's loud sound,
And hates barbed arrows like wasps few
around;
The sky Of the South clouded down to the
sea,
While electrical aags like the lightning
played free.
Now women arose in their true womanhood,
AS ministring spirits Of love, to do good;
They could not subdue the wild anger OF
men,
Nor arbitrate war, nor its evils restrain;
But twas meet they should share, as twas
meet they should know,
All the darkness of war and its sorrow and
woe;
1t was meet they should be to their banners
As the soldiers who fought in the Gray or
the Blue.
The soft silken murmur in which they had
Thro' elegant mansions, with rare art inn
proved,
Was no longer hushed to low musical
breath,
But gloomed and dismantled by horrible
death.
The gardens that glowed for the smile in
their eyes
Were scorched now and scared in the
vapers that rise
From loud Kissing gans and the cannons'
red smoke,
And yet they were there e'er, to soften the
stroke
Of sword thrust or saber; with right willing
hands
To bind up all wounds in ,he cool healing
bands;
In the field or in prison, in battle or tent,
They followed their cheftains as tho
heavensent.
At home there were others in charge Of af-
fairs,
To perform all its duties, assume all its
cares
When the father and husband and brother
were gone
For the children and household they still
must toll on.
All more difficult still the task to control
The slaves they had reared, when the call
to enroll
The slave against master came like the
dread blast
Of storm whose slow fury breaks round
you at last.
appalled,,
Now looked at each other, all speechless,
enthralled;
Unheeded Of the warning Of long.threat-
ened fate
The starless, black signal waved over the
State.
1t was now woman rose in the ermine Of
power,
And she poured on the trouble the oil for
the hour;
Confusion subdued, by her courage serene,
And her faith in Gods arm, upon which
she did lean.
She gathered the negroes around her at
home;
She talked Of this freedom to which they
had come;
$50 now," said my lady, 'you can 60 or
stay,
But know you will never your mistress
betray."
The grace in her words touched their
hearts like a song,
And round her they closed in listening
throng;
There was silence and awe. then trickling
As "mammy stepped forth. full OF honors
and years,
TO speak for the rest as her woman heart
stirred;
Their heads were bowed down and low
sobbing was heard,
When resting her hand en- golden
haired child 90
She spake with love that was yet unde-
fled.
I'VE love the white hand that has given us
our bread,
That's given US our clothes, and our cabin
and bed;
Ne love you who taught US to read and to
pray,
And .f,sedom' can't make as oar mistress 6e.
tray"
their mournful "good-byes" softly broke
on the air,
With clasping Of hands and with blessing
and prayer;
heir promise was true, to betray and de-
spoil
hey nobly refused. and went on with
their toll.
Nv.
o the doom was reversed, and the cloud
passed away;
hen its lining Of silver fell DER the dark
day.
t was well for the land that these women
were brave,
nd wot what to speak in the hour to save;
was well for the land that these women
were true,
nd in direst distress our people e'er knew
ould guard themselves safely, as women Of