Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-12
AN ANECDOTE OF THE BLAIRs.
How the Aged Couple Were Taken for
Spies During the War.

Eliza Clagett Allen in the Century.
Mr.. Francis 7. Blair. ST., already prominent
figure in national history in the days Of An
drew Jackson. was the father of Montgomery
Blair in the cabinet Of Mr.. Lincoln, of Frank
p. Blair, jr., ma Or general in the Union
army and the commander of a corps of Sher-
mans forces in his famous march from Atlanta
to the sea, and father-in-law of S. p. Lee, an
admiral in the United States navy.
1t was the daily habit of Mr. and Mrs. Blair,
each of them then approaching their eightieth
year, to ride around the country, along the by
ways and OFF the public roads. This couple
were known by all the country folks for miles
away from their home, which was at Silver
Spring the famous and historic spot where the
destiny OF SO many men in public life was fixed
or changed. The roads leading into the city
Of Washington were well guarded, so well that
tine plckets were very near each other.
These plckets were changed every day and of
course the guards who saw this couple ride one
day and who had become acquainted with
them would be displaced on the morrow and
new men would take their places 1t so hap
pened that Mr.. Blair had adopted the idea of
wearing short green veil over and around his
high hat. so as to shade his eyes in the strong
sunlight which was reflected from the sandy
roads under "a summer sun. For the same rea-
son Mrs. Blair wore bonnet coming far over
her face and hiding her features. In this odd
and unique style of dress they roamed and
rode at Will, far and near, as they had both
been accustomed TO do for quarter of a CEN
fury preceding.
Ii SO CHANGED that one picket who happened
to be on duty number of times at different
places, was struck with the queer appearance
OF the couple which did not at all comport
with the fine blooded horses they rode, and
becoming gravely suspicious. he determined to
report them at headquarters as worthy of
being looked after. This done. the order went
out the next day that this a case to be
carefully examined. as many spies were known
TO be proving about IN search for news to be
sent across the lines to the enemy A sagacious
and faithful man was specially detailed on GER
tam day to guard particular road which il was
known the suspects must take on their re-
| turn across the country. When the suspicious
couple at length came in sight of this picket.
after the order HALT" had been given, the
usnai questions were put As follows: Where
are you FROM Where you going?''
Have you anything cOntraband about your
he. All these inquiries being responded to in
a satisfactory way the picket then broke out
abruptly with other questions not Oh the regu-
lar list, and began thus: Well who are you,
anyway The old gentleman. who up TO this
time bad done all the talking on his side and
had responded to all inquiries and had much
quiet huJnOr IN him. turned to his wife with
the remark, Betty, who are WEI With a
smile the old lady turned to the picket and re-
Piled We'll. guard, what would you think if I
said we had son who is cabinet minister,
and another son who is major general and
another son who" The guard not waiting
/ Tor any more, quickly interrupted with the re-
tort. And | suppose you will say another son
who Is an admiral" Yes" responded the old
lady. IAN admiral also well. now. old
woman, that is coming little too strong IL
You had left out the admiral, might have be-
lieyed you; but it is. think you are both
subjects for the headquarters; and so come
| along. There was no course but submission,
aud the three rode along some distance, the
prisoners in front Of their captor, and all the
way the latter kept watchful eye upon the
supposed spies.
At length a group Of officers approached,
| each making salute and halting 10 speak TO
the captured rebels. why" said one Of
these officers to Mr.. Blair. what does this
! mean? You in the hands Of n military guard?
J your way TO headquarters" We'll" said Mr..
/ Blair so we are The oficer, quickly turn
/ ing TO the soldier, demanded to know what he
had been doing. Much abashed and crestfallen,
he explained to his commander in an under
tone. Well sir. when questioned the old man
| believed him to be all right; but when the
| old woman told her darned story about her
! having one son in the cabinet, and one son a
| major general, and then on top OF that added
| another son, an admiral, thought she was
yarnlng. and would not believe anything but
that they were real spies, and l arrested them
! on the spot"
tell the story as it was told to me by MIR.
| biair himself immediately after the incident.
a. Of UyNla nd