The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-07
4 CUP OF COFFEE.

known everywhere as The Robbers.
Tbev lived simply ON plumber, nothing
else They were freebooters that did not
dare show themselves among honest PEG
nle in the DAYTIME. They followed no
honest ayocation in the day or night
Their meat. drink and wear were all Oh
tanned in maraudings.
All valuables had TO sbc kept hidden
away from these thieves, though when
thev entered one premises every nook and
corner WAS ran-acsed for things which
shcv carried away with remorselessness
unknown before among Christian nations.
Once in night raid upon my father 5
bouse-thcy had robbed him half dozen
times MISUNDERSTANDING other treasures
that were unearthed by the villains from
the cloistcrs Of privacy and sacredness was
several pounds of genuine cohee winch my
mother had been for years hiding and keep
ing for occasions of sickness or rainy
DAYS" When the robbers produced this
before her ewes. displaying it withalicndish
flourish and hcllish glec it was the last
feature that broke the patient spirit, ana
she denounced the act with all the severity
Of terms she could command, appealing 10
the manhood Of the villains for return OF
her coffee. il Of nothing else, for the sick
dependent upon her. and il was for these
that she begged.
All the manhood" that was eXhib-
tied on the occasion was the brute force
that overpowercd an old gentleman and n
few ladies Revealing itself further one
OF the villains seized the aged matrOn-ny
mother-by her cap and forced her face IN
n succession Of shocks down into the yes
sci containing the coffee, and telling her
at each time. 10 smell Of Abe Lincoln -
"smell of Abe Lincoln '-"and Abe Lincoln
coffee" OF course / would yet shoot that
rufIian did know where To find him any
where this side Of torment. I'd shoot him
even at the expense of that little religion
have referred 10. though | do feel that ]
should not be held TO divine accountability
for the act.
But here is an incident OF an entirely diff
ferent character, yet one also in which you
may think that the religious scruple' was
held in abeyance or Punishment entire, but
not agreeing with YOU there.
Once. when sick and travelling over the
North Carolina railway, got of the tram
at the usual breakfast house, and present
ing myself at the dining room door ! asked
the landlord for simply cup OF coffee.
Il want only the coffee, for l am sick.
How much?" These were about my words
The reply was, quickly:
Five dollars-wheres the money
But, my friend, - insisted, THAT Is the
price of the regular breakfast. ! want only
the cofTee-nothing else, for | am quite
sick.
II haven't time TO fool with sick fellows
now; if | let you in there there is no tell
ing what you will do"
| saw there was no use of parleying with
him, so | paid the five dollars and entered
the dining room-though there was some
thing then in my brain besides the active
pain: nor was there much Of the cum grano
sails for there was a resolution % bear, u
possible, something besides the grain OF
salt, plus the coffee.
There was the usual scramble for posi-.
ton and plate, the well fellows elbowing
me to the most remote table. begged the
waiter to bring me a cup of coffee as soon
possible At the very last moment IL came.
drank the fluid yclept coifee-and WIS
about 10 leave the room, when 10 occurred
to me that | had paid honestly Tor the
"cup" also; and So, with "A sans souci move
ment, | took possession of the purchase,
dropping both cup and saucer into the
haversack on my shoulder.
then went on my way rejoicing reJoic
ing in three things The beverage had re-
lieved my suffering for hot water, You
know, is a specific FOR many ailments. See
ondly. | had, for once in my life, got even
with hotel man. and thirdly, had made
a most valuable and permanent addition 10
our camp chest, thus long exhibiting de
felt in the way Of white granite table ware
Ny conscience did not then reproach me,
nor has il since reproached me In the latter
act. though YOU may consider il little
honest stealing if YOU wish 10. The BLUM,
curt landlord had expressed tome his opin.
ion that II | entered his dining room J
would as likely steal AS eat if he was not
watching me- and so he had charged me for
the possibilities In the case looked at the
thing IN that way You pay your money
and you get what you can IN the dining
room-that was about the philosophy Of
his table and his pot.
Doubtless the pallor Of my look, the
general Indebtedness OF my countenance
under the suffering of the sickness, thee
may have given the fellow the idea that ]
was really thief, and, of necessity or "a
prudent forethought, should be forced 20
pay beforehand for what might be done.
But got the cup of coffee-cup and all
and as l have said, went on my way re-
| joicing.
In the beautiful lines of Nlazeppa, there
are found these, barring the slight trans
position, etc:
Time makes all things even,
If We do out bide the hour.
a few months after my purchase of the
coup of coffee, | was sitting in front OF
my tent Gn eastern South Carolina. where
we were picketing in front Of Newbern)
when a civilian rode up and spoke to me
at once had recognized in the man the
landlord who had taken me for "A thief,
and who had made me pay in advance for
things ne supposed | would take. had
on better suit OF clothing. for ! had i'm
the meantime received promotion, and
was then donned in an officers uniform.
Perhaps was also looking "a shade better
in the face than when We first met, for
was quite well now
A dozen thoughts had passed through
my mind in rapid succession. IL occurred
to me that some one had informed on me,
and that the fellow had a warrant for my
arrest on a charge Of larceny Ny What
could have done; But | recollected at
once that there was no civil law; no courts
then, none except those Of the drunhead
and | could defy the man there.
But the party seemed u be unusually
amiable and polite, and felt aJ once that
hs did not recognize me and that | Was a
person against whom nc could not possibly
have aught. but that was one whose grace
and service he was about TO propitiate. lie
wanted my friendship 40 once. Perhaps
he was like that Dutchman who, not know
ing into whose hands he was likely TO fall
in the great judgment was rs ready Ia say
Good Devil" as Good Lord he wanted
TO be sure Of friendly reminder in any
event.
There were the usual salutations and in
quiries about news, etc, followed by a cor
dial invitation on my part for the gentle
man 10 dismOunt and allow the servant
Jack TO care for his horse.