Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-09-26
A CUP OF COFFEE.

ASODDSNo'
They lived simply on plumber, nothing
else. They were freebooters that did not
dare show themselves among honest peo-
pie in the daytime. They followed no
honest avocation in the day or night.
Their meat, drink and wear were all OBJ
tanned in maraudings.
All valuables had to be kept hidden
away from these thieves, though when
they entered ones premises every nook and
corner was ransacked for things which
they carried away with a remorselessness
unknown before among Christian nations.
Once in night raid upon my fathers
house-they had robbed him half dozen
times previously-among other treasures
that were unearthed by the villains from
the cloisters Of privacy and sacredness was
several pounds of genuine coffee which my
mother had been for years hiding and keep
ing for occasions of sickness or rainy
days" When the robbers produced this
before her eyes, displaying it with fiendish
flourish and hellish glee, it was the last
feature that broke the patient spirit, and
she denounced the act with all the severity
of terms she could command, appealing to
the manhood of the villains for return of
her coffee, if of nothing else, for the sick
dependent upon her, and it was for these
that she begged.
All the manhood" that was eXhib-
tied on the occasion was the brute force
that overpowered an old gentleman and
few ladies' Revealing itself further one
of the villains seized the aged matron-my
mother-by her cap and forced her face in
a succession of shocks down into the YES
sci containing the coffee, and telling her
at each time. to "smell of Abe Lincoln
"smell of Abe Lincoln '-"and Abe Lincoln
coffee" Of course would yet shoot that
ruffian 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 to, 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 allegiance or Punishment entire, but
not agreeing with you there.
Once, when sick and travelling over the
North Carolina railway, got off the train
at the usual breakfast house, and present
ing myself at the dining room door asked
the landlord for simply cup of coffee.
81 want only the coffee, for am sick.
How much?" These were about my words.
The reply was, quickly:
give dollars-where's the money"
"But, my FRIEND" insisted, "that is the
price of the regular breakfast: l want only
the coffee-nothing else, for l am quite
sick"
81 haven't time to fool with sick fellows
now; if l 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 to bear, If
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 it came.
drank the fluid yclept coffee-and was
about to leave the room, when it occurred
to me that 1 had paid honestly for the
"cup'' also; and SO, with sans souci move
ment, 1 took possession of the purchase,
dropping both cup and saucer into the
haversack on my shoulder.
then went on my way rejoicing-re joic-
ing in three things: The beverage had re-
AAOo
know, is a specific for many ailments. Sec
ondly, had, for once in my life, got even
with hotel man; and thirdly, l had made
a most valuable and permanent addition to
our camp chest, thus long exhibiting de-
felt in the way of white granite table ware.
NV conscience did not then reproach me,
nor has it since reproached me in the latter
act, though you may consider it a little
honest stealing if you wish to. The bluff,
curt landlord had expressed to me his opin-
ion that if l entered his dining room |
would as likely steal as eat il 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 wretchedness of my countenance
under the suffering of the sickness, these
may have given the fellow the idea that I
was really a thief, and, of necessity or a
prudent forethought, I should be forced to
pay beforehand for what might be done.
But got the cup of coffee-cup and all
and as [ have said, went on my way re-
joicing
In the beautiful lines of Mazeppa, there
are found these, barring the slight trans
position, ETC.:
Time makes all things even,
Ii we do but bide the hour.
A few months after my purchase of the
coup Of coffee,'' was sitting in front Of
my tent lin eastern South Carolina, where
we We're picketing in front of Newbern)
when civilian rode up and spoke to me.
I at once had recognized in the man the
IL lob 70, II nf
and who had made me pay in advance for
things he supposed 1 would take. had
on better suit of clothing, for l had in
the meantime received promotion, and
was then donned in an officers uniform
Perhaps 1 was also looking 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. 1t occurred
to me that some one had informed on me-
and that the fellow had warrant for my
arrest on q charge of larceny My! What
could have done? But I recollected at
once that there was no civil law; no courts
then, none except those of the drumhead
and could defy the man there.
But the party seemed to be unusually
amiable and polite, and felt at once that
he did not recognize me and that I was
person against whom he could not possibly
have aught, but that was one whose grace
and service he was about to propitiate. He
wanted my friendship at once. Perhaps
he was like that Dutchman who, not know
ing into whose hands he was likely to fall
in the great Judgment, was as ready to say
"Good Devil' as "Good Lord"-he wanted
to be sure of friendly reminder in any
event.