Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-26

Thank you, dearies, but I can't stay just
a minute with you all. I've tried it on
several occasions when I needed rest, and
minutes trot invariably into hours
''Some time during the middle of
February, 1861, just few days after our
joking about the rag man, sure enough
man came along with sack gathering up
rags Of course, he stopped at our house.
We all laughed merriy, declaring he was
the fate OF one of US and he'd come to carry
off his prize. Each of US gave him a
email package of scraps to swell his al
ready bulky bundle.
''Upon noticing the old fellow was coat
less and wore much torn hat, l immedi
ately gave him one of fathers old swallow
tailed coats and an old beaver. 1t being
right cold he felt the need of both, 80 lost
no time in setting down his rags and array
ing himself. HIS transformation occasioned
such mirth that we were compelled to run
in the house to give way to our merriment,
lest we'd Insult the old fellow.
SIT wasn't long before father came in
with an unusual twinkle in his eye: oh,
girls he said, you'll be the death of me
yet. When l saw that fellow just now
with my antediluviaD beaver and swallow
tailed coat. had to lean On my horse for
support. Even my old Nance mule stopped
eating grass to look at him, and all the
dogs began to bark.
''By the time father finished telling us of
all the ridiculous things that happened
after sight of that rag man, we all had
Mysteries. The rest of the day and half of
the night we were In gleeful humor, and
we'll we were, for it was our last happy
day for many month together.
"With the next days mail came a letter
from Aunt Belle, fathers slater. In it she
SAID that as the war was surely coming
father must spare her one of his Eve
daughters to live with her till peace reigned
once more. She reminded father that
widow could not live through snch times
alone Her home was about ninety miles
from ours. and large, beautiful plants-
tion which she managed herself, but of
course employed an overseer. The num-
ber of pegrses, houses, fowls, stock and
things in general claimed her care and at
tentIon, so that it was impossible for her
to think of leaving, otherwise she would
have moved up to our home.
''It was plain that one of US must pack
up and off TO Aunt Bells. But which one
was the trying question.
"Eveiy one loved her dearly and would
have gladly answered the summons at any
other time. But then everything was in
state of excitement, everything an uncer-
tainsy except the war. So it was hard to
think of leaving home. Father looked at
us all, then walked out of the room, say
ing: Decide among yourselves, girls; one
must go, but l cannot say who that one
must be- We looked at each other, then
cried a little, then drew straws. The
shortest straw fell to my lot, so 1 knew
that meant an adieu to home and loved
ones, though l didn't know how long our
separation was to be, or my heart would
tave given away In a week l loft for
Aunt Bellies. Everyone cried, even to
Aunt Sue jnst as if was going to the
other end of the world.
"My aunt was delighted when she saw
me coming in, and the sight of my great
old leather trunk made her forget her age
and skip down the walk to meet It. Size
said that trunk was evidence that ! had
moved, and she was bappy as lark
Father brought the girls to see us once be-
fore the war began; then we saw each other
but once more till the war was over.
"Those were frightful days. 1t always
was a wonder that nv hair diin't turn
white the first year; but some way or
other it didn't. Aunt Bellies did, though,
uhen abe beard the first cannon, but she
didn't know it till peace was declared -and
even then drew her attention to it. She
was troubled a good deal with rheumatism,
and when those attacks came on she was
compelled to sit quietly at the fire, or more
frequently stay in bad. Between attending
to the household affairs, the ponltry, sheep,
and cattle, l did not have much time ip
which to get lonely. A little later, how
ever, Aunt Bellies stock had dwiDdled
IL - Los,
before they were entirely diminished. So
we had no chickens to feed us-Or us to
feed.
''On the 7th OF December, 1861 never
could forget thai date, even if l tried
Aunt Belle was suffering from rheumatics.
Old Aunt Linny right sick down at her
ca bin, some of the negroes had run away
to meet the Yankees and everything was in
terrible confusion. My hands were full
in nursing Aunt Belle, Aunt Linny and
attending to the numerous other things.
cit was just time to give Aunt LiDny
her medicine when it began seeting in fine
fashion. 1t lad been a miserable day and
was growing colder every minute. But no
matter how terrible the weather might
have been l never would have neglected
giving Aunt Linny her medicine. She was
faithful old soul and we wanted her
cured.
"There being no umbrella left fixed up
my dress slightly, Tobed myself in an old
overcoat, hat and pair of boots which once
belonged to Uncle Joe, and then went forth
20 administer to the sick one. Aunt Linny
seemed much amused and said: Lors,
chile, yer looks jest like Mars Joe did fO
he growed his whskerses.'
Il found her better, SO hurried back tC
Aunt Belle. When I reached the house
l was all in shiver; SO slamming the door
hastily l hurried to the fire and began
warming myself in real earnest. Presently
I heard suppressed laugh, and when l
saw two Yankee soldiers sitting near the
hearth getting benefit from the same fire
nearly lost my senses. looked at them
steadily, but for the life Of me could not
speak. Such impudeuee made me heartily
wish myself capable of thrashing them
both with the poker.
s'Tbe elder of the two men inquired my
uame and that of my aunt, aud seemed
pleased when he discovered We we're with
out protector. Ha then turned toward
the Young man and addressed me in this
way: This boy is i'll and must stay here
till he is better. Give him a comfortable
room and I'll see DO harm befalls him. He
then walked out, leaving me standing up
in the middle of tho room, almost as dumb
as mule.
1.-THE idea of our harboring Yankee
was preposrerous! 1t would never do in
the world. Going into Aunt Bellies room
as fast as my feet could take me, l asked
her advice. She threw off the cover and
tried to get out of bed, but rheumatics held
her back Why she said, the idea! No,
no, that blue coat can't stay in my house.
Tell him to get away-I don't wish to
breathe the same air he does!
"'But. Aunty,' sad l. she is too ill to
walk. You ought to see how pale he is.'
"sThat's nothing at all. Call Tom and
get him to hello you dump him in the street.
Do you hear?'
81 started to the sitting room, but had
ouly taken few steps, when Aunt Belle
called me back to say:
"sDear, tits rather chilly to put a sick
person out. Feel his pulse, and if he has
very bot fever you might put him in the lit.
tie room on the left till to- morrow. anygay