Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-12-15

one hand and the border ruhlans." us was
me obnoxious opithct bestowed upan the
other. had ut The outbreak of the
wal rcarhcd snch a degree that little
tho rushing river. On the Missouri shore
every Northern man was looked iron
with suspicion, "a was in fasti EVERY non-
stakeholder, whether ot Northern or OF
Southern origin. There was an outside ap-
pcaranco of civilty and neghborlincss,
but It was the civ,lity with which the lamb
regards tho fox. not knowing how soon
open warfare may be declared.
Nestled in among the bluffs was little
hamlet composed Ut settlers mainly from
the Older Southern States. Every shade of
opinion was to be found among them: as Il
matter of course the pro-Slavery sentiment
predominated. 1t was expected at no dis
tant day to see Il large and thriving city oc-
cupying this bend OF the tiycf. My father,
who was the lea,lhg physician in the ham
virginia., he had no anti slavery prejudices;
yet he felt the system to be detrimental t"
the white race. Before coming West he
had cmancipated himself ny disposing of
MS negroes, reservinS only couple of
house servants, Even this shade of disat-
proval in the then state of public feeling
was construed into hostile sentiment.
On certain spring Morning this remote
spot was astir With the rcverberation Of the
guns of Fort Moultric. Now there cnuii no
toHS'G ne uOuDt WHpHp nv Iatner stood.
He declared Internationally for the Union.
Our house had-what many of the ruder
structures had not-a commodiouS cellar,
ana here at night knots of Union men held
their secret meetings. Whon ut last Gov
ernor Jackson disclosed his true attitude.
and called upon the State militia to repel tho
invasion of Federal troops. the pcnt=iip
feeling found expression in wild speeches
from the inconSdcrata Of 9th parties.
Lyon was preparing to move against Jeffer-
son City anu recruiting officers were busy
clustering troops for both sides Of the con-
lllct. LawlcsSncSS was already rampant,
born of the free frontier spirit which is al
ways ready for reckless, daring adventure.
Our household consisted. besides the serv-
ants, OF only my father and myself. Among
the suitors FOR my hand was Raymond Ken
moth. u young. bold, daring Carolinan. In
physique, he was tie perfection OF manly
vigor, handsome and courteous in bearing,
and warm partisan in favor of secession.
My father had deprecated the growing at
tachment, and | gave heed to his cooler
Judgment against Raymonds hot-headed
raShncsS and violent temper. When he be-
sought me to put my faith in him into prac-
ticc, by consenting to he his wife, nv
fathers warning withheld the wished-for
answer.
Our homes were adjoining. In the gar
den fence was IL little wicket, through which
we had always exchanged ncighboily cour-
tesies of the most friendly sort Since il
was known that my father looked with dis
favor upon an alliance, the feeling between
the two families had become somewhat con
strained; still we went in and out of the lit
tie wicket rs before,
One night rs was sitting alone. my father
gone TO visit Il patient. old Maria, IL house
servant o! the Kenneths', came hurricdly in
with her baby in her arms. Mis- Jessie,
jis please write IL letter for me, honey" she
said. quick as you kin. Ican't STAY a min
ute. JlS write nv chillun bnrk in Olp
Virgnny. Mcbbc l nebber git anodder
chance"
You must ask your mistress to write" ]
was fearful that NV assistan 20, should il be
granted. might be miSconstrucd.
20. laws! Miss Jessie, ole missus can't
write mo"c'n kin. Please hurry and do
this, Miss Jessie. I'll pray for We. honey.
deed WILL"
What is the trouble. Maria? | must know
more about it,
well, ye see. old Massa John done brune
man around to dinner dis mOrnin. and l