Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1891-11-19
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There was that in the accent and bear
ing Of the motherly old lady that told
me she was not of southern birth, and
as she was disposed to ask questions
and not at all afraid to give her views,
this fact came out very soon. We told
her the same old story. in the relation Of
which we had become adopts by this
time. and she shook her head and, as
nearly as can recall her words. said
tlt is not war it is fratricide Why
should you young men want to kill the
men from the north; did they ever do
either of you harm before this trouble
began
This was the most surprising question
that had as yet been put to either Bell or
myself We exchanged glances of salts
faction, for it was evident that this was
either a Union woman or a fine moral
philosopher. We hastened to assure her
that the Yankees had never wronged us,
and then my companion got off the trite
saying. This is rich mans quart and
a pore mans fight"
''Oh. it is nonstrous and cruel" she
continued. with much feeling II am a
northern woman. born in Pennsylvania.
My daughter, the lady who has just left
us. married Mr.. Duffy. southern man.
some years before the war came here
to visit her Just before the trouble be-
gan Her husband went away with a
company. and within six months his
body was sent home; he was killed in a
skirinish near Harper's Ferry-killed,
perhaps, by my own boy, who Is fight
ing on the other side, and who loved
him like brother and would have died
for him My God! my Godl how long
is this to continue? Do the men who
keepit up realize that the bullets never
rest in the hearts they pierce on the bat
tlefeld. but wing their baleful way to
some once happy home and find their
resting place in Il woman's hearth
| do not pretend to give the exact Ian
guage, but there was 4 pathos and an
eloquence in Mrs Tyson's words that
brought tears to our eyes. Her own
eyes were wet, and her hands trembled
above the sewing that had fallen into
her lap We attempted no reply. We
were here under false colors, and as we
dared not tell the truth respect forced
US to keep silent
Mrs. Tyson asked Bell what he thought
about the result of the war.
''l think he said. I'VE uns is licked.
The Yanks have got the men and the
money. Hits all men and money in
war Hit don't matter the right or the
wrong of the thing. We uns undertook
too big a contract and failed, as shores
yer bawn Therell be more fighting.
and a lot more men kilt and property
destroyed, but hits doggoned pride that
keeps the south ut hit"
We almost forgot our hunger, bui
while listening with great interest K
Mrs. Tyson. we expected to have tht
food served to us tramp fashion on tht
piazza, for we did not feel that we wers
clean enough to enter q decent house
but, to our surprise, the mistress OF tht
mansion invited rs into Il charming din
| ing room and her mother preceded u
and sat at the foot Of the table-to oul
discomfort, for we were ravenously hun
CRY, and so | told her.
have before remarked that my noun
taineer friend, Bell. was one Of the mos
profane men ever met. yet his nature
was intensely religions He prayed
whenever he felt grateful and swor'
when angry. Before he sat down to that
splendid feast he raised his face, CLOSED
his eyes and asked a long blessing on th'
food and Oh the noble women who hae
supplied it. and he ended with an invo
cation for peace that WAS really earnes
and eloquent.
Seeing that their presence restraine'
us. the ladies' left the dining room ane
told the big eyed and astonished blacl
girl to remain within call There was
snowy cloth on the table and there wer'
daintily folded napkins beside our plates
The dishes were china, cut glass ant
silver. and the food was abundant