The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-01-30


of all the ridiculous things that happened
after sight OF that rag man, we all had
Mysteries, The rest of the day aud half
of the night we were in gleeful humor,
aud well we We're, for it was our last
happy day for many month together,
"With the next days mail came u let
ter from Aunt Belle, fathers sister, In
it she said that rs the war was surely
coming father must spare her one of his
five daughters to live with her till peace
reisped once more. She reminded IA
ther that widow could not live through
such times alone, Her home was about
ninety miles from ours, and II large, beau.
tiful plantation which she managed her
self, but of course employed an overseer
The number of negroes, houses, fowls,
stock and things in general claimed her
care and attention, so that it was impos-
sible for her to think of leaving, otherwise
she would have moved up to our home.
at was plain that one of us must pack
up and off to Aunt Bellies. But which
one was the trying question.
every one loved her dearly and
would have gladly answered the sum
mons at any other time, But then every
thing was in state of excitement, every
thing an uncertainty except the war. SO
it was hard to think of leaving home.
Father looked at us all, then walked out
of the room, saying: Decide among
yourselves, girls; one must go, but
cannot say who that one must be- We
looked at each other, then cried little,
then drew straws. The shortest straw
fell to my lot, so l knew that meant an
adicu to home and loved ones, though l
didn't know how long our separation was
20 be, or my heart would have given
away. In week left for Aunt Bellies.
Everyone cried, even to Aunt Sue, just
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. She said that trunk was evidence
that / had moved, and she was happy
as lark. Father brought the girls to
see us once before the war began; then
we saw each other but once more till the
war was over
"Ihosc were frightful days. 1t al
ways was wonder that my hair didn't
turn white the first year; but some way
or other it didn't. Aunt Bellies did,
though, when she heard the first cannon,
but she didn't know it till peace was de-
clared-and even ther | drew her atten-
ton to it. She was troubled good deal
with rheumatism, and when those at
lacks came on she was compelled to sit
quietly at the fire, or more frequently
stay in bed. Between attending to the
household affairs, the poultry, sheep,
and cattle, did not have much time in
which to get lonely, A little later, how
ever, Aunt Bellies stock had dwindled
down considerably, and it wasn't very
long before they were entirely dimin-
ished. So we had no chickens to feed
us--or us to feed.
tOn the 9TH of December, 1861
never could forget that date, even if
tricd-Aunt Belle was suffering from
rheumatics, old Aunt Linnv right sick
down at her cabin, some of the negroes
had run away to meet the Yankees and
everything was in Il terrible confusion.
My hands were full in nursing Aunt
Belle, Aunt Linny and attending to the
numerous other things.
at was just time to give Aunt Linny
her medicine when it began sleeting in
fine fashion. 1t had been a miserable
day and was growing colder every MN
ute. But no matter how terrible the
weather might have been 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, robed myself in an
old overcoat, hat and pair of boots
which once belonged to Uncle Joe, and
then went forth to 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
| whiskerscs.'
81 found her better, so hurried back
to Auut Belle. When ] reached the
house was all in SILVER, so slamming
the door hastily l hurried to the fire and
began warming myself in real earnest.
Presently heard a suppressed laugh,
and when | saw two Yankee soldiers sit
ting near the hearth getting benefit
from the same fire Inearly lost my senses.
| looked at them steadily, but for the life
of me could not speak. Such impudence
made me heartily wish myself capable of
thrashing them both with the poker.
''The elder of the two men inquired
my name and that of my aunt, and seemed
| pleased when he discovered we were
without protector. He then turned
toward the young man and addressed
me in this way: This boy is ill and
must stay here till he is better. Give
him comfortable room and III see no
harm befalls him. He then walked out,
leaving me standing up in the middle Of
the room, almost as dumb as mute.
'sThe idea of our harboring Yankee
was prcposterous! 1t would never do in
the world. Going into Aunt Bells 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, 'thc
idea! No, no, that blue coat can't stay
in my house. Tell him to get away
don't wish to breathe the same air h,
does,'
But, Aunty,' said l, 'he is too ill tt
walk. You ought to see how pale he is.
+" That's nothing at all. Call Ton
and get him to help you dump him il
the street Do you hear?'
II started to the sitting room, but hat
only taken few steps, when Aunt Bell
called me back to say:
Dear, It's rather chilly to put sici
person out. Feel his pulse, and if hi
has very hot fever you might put him il
the little room on the left till tomorrow
anyway. Then I'll see about him myself
But before you 90 you may hand me an
ether blanket. This cover isn't enough.
81 then went into the room softly