Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-09-26
sTAUNToN, VIRGINIA. SEPTEMBER 26, 1890

oeCh' Atio IliIelly SGTuuS OuU oil CIIo IA
single breath, not giving the stranger
Immediately after
ooh, hello! That's not what Pm after.
Excuse us. Pm running hotel at - q
won't now tell on him), and I've run out
of supplies, and have come down here in
get something for you folks to eat when
you pass"-
But I modestly interposed with a desire
to correct him, for he was treading on
corny ground. excuse me, my friend, y
said again, "but never had the pleasure
of eating at your board" Though I had
drunk there). This latter information for
him was holding in reserve for the op-
perfume moment.
Have you not? Why, thought recog-
nized your face"
Good Lordr' thought I, "does he know
me sure enough? And do I still look like
athief?" The fellow was certainly making
things warm in my brain, but didn't care
a cent, for was now on my own ground,
at least was in front of my own tent, and /
knew that I had more friends there than
he could muster, for Jack, the cook, was
on hand. He was my friend, and he con-
stituted the majority. But the mans face
betrayed not the least sign of malicious
motive, and l thought saw clear coast,
as the fellow anXiously added:
"Can you tell me where can find some
thing for my table-chickens, eggs, meal,
wheat, potatoes anything in the world to
feed the starving soldiers on as they pass?"
The gentleman appeared just then very
solicitous about starving peoples for a
grab game at his table. But l insisted on
his getting off his horse and dining with
me. told him I could give him some
thing that wouldn't make him sick; but
it appears that he didn't take the hint. |
called Jack and had the strangers horse
cared for. I then invited the gentleman
into my tent, where could offer him good
water and clean towels-things not al
ways visible at Confederate hotel.
actually had a comb, which was also a
rarity in those days; and, really marvellous
to relate, there was in my tent a genuine
mirror-a real good looking glass-in
front of which I sometimes stood, not,
however, with that constancy charged
upon the great man whose name l bear in
baptism, and of whom it is said that the
only place ever worn away in the carpet of
his private chamber was in front of the
mirror The Brussels cut through by his
heel-the heel of Martin Van Buren-as
he turned in the delightful inspection of
his own august person. But
Bidding the guest to make himself at
ease excused myself and retired for mo-
ment-called up Jack and whispered to
him that wanted the very best dinner he
could get. Furthermore, l told him we
must have made some genuine coffee, and
that when he served the beverage he must
give to the stranger the new white cup and
saucer, we'll and appropriately filled. Cali
right" said Jack, with knowing air,
though he did not know all things connect
ed with that cups history; my messmate
did, however (But about Jack and his
knowledge will tell you later.)
Jack thought he was getting dinner that
day for the governor, a bishop, or some
other grandee, and SO he spread himself.
He had the best and most sumptuous din
ner ever had in camp. He placed the
white coffee cup, filed as directed, at the
side of our guest-an act which Jack per-
formed with gusto that had prophecy
and suggestiveness in its grandeur. Ny
self and comrade, the quartermaster'
clerk, compromised on tin cups
I imagined the fellow looked very in
quiringly at that cup. 1t was large,
white granite vessel, with handle, and l
had no doubt but that it reminded the man
of home. But our guest was enjoying the
good things Jacob had set before him-en-
joying them to such an extent that home,
or his public table, at least, should have
been forgotten. Myself and comrade, who
was into the cups history, endeavored te
give to the meal as much cheer, welcome
and zest as was possible, awaiting the op
perfume moment to throw startling bomb
shell into the ear of the guest.
He had finished his coffee; and 1 asked
him if he would have renewal of the Rio
"Why, yes!'' he replied most eagerly;
"your coffee is most delightful-the genu-
inc article"-(his was not) "Where can I
get some? What price?" etc.
'sDo you recognize the cup!" l asked,
looking across the table in merriment-
my sides fairly ready to burst with the
laughter suppressed.
"Well, no' said my man. "But it does
look like some 1 used to have-all gone
now-stolen by the roguish fellows going
into my dining room"
eyes, and my FRIEND" said I naively-
with the innocence of martyr, land l
stole that one! Don't you remember the
occasion?"
Liz ulal IuVOluutdIlly ufOppeu Uuc hu1Io
and fork in his hands at the moment,
looked at me in quizzical horror, and
then said sharply:
SWELL will be cussedl You don't say
SOP" Then he gave the cup an inspection.
81 do say it," said l, most earnestly, with
the smile on my face big as grown sun
flower gazing at the orient, though there
was no "cussedness" in the words.
My guest heaved huge sigh, while l
explained in the pleasantest way possible
how had, one morning when sick, paid
him SIS for a ''cup of Coffee" considering it
a fair transactio1i-$5 for it all. l had ap-
propriated the whole-eoffee cup and con-
tents. That was all of it!
The man laughed heartily, ordered an
other supply Of the beverage and some
more of Jacks fried chicken. 1t was now
Glands round" with us all, but told him
that l was going to see to it that he did
not do as had done-carry that cup and
saucer away with him when he left the
table.
At this he laughed again most heartily.
In fact, we all enjoyed that dinner-the
cup of coffee and it's revelation-no one
more SO than our accidental visitor. and
he was SO delighted and paid back by our
hospitality and cheer that never afterward
would he charge me for coffee or bread
taken at his board.-M. V. Moore in At
lanta Constitution.