The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-15

Oh security out, IKE ali pleasure SEEK
ers, we were now weary of monotonous
rounds of uneventful days, and former
delights grew stale Gentle Mrs. Gray
and Miss Harland, the invalid whose
thin, scarlet cheeks and bright eyes
told too plainly the presence of the de-
stroyer, the quiet rector and the some
what pompous major, with his little
blonde wife, made up our party.
Some one tell us story, please"
cooed the pretty blonde, tossing aside
Hero Worship" "Who ever knew a
live hero?" She laughingly asked.
az" promptly answered Mrs. Gray.
How delightful! Do tell us about
him; who was hep"
The only true heroism that ever
came under my immediate notice." said
the little woman, "was displayed by a
hero of ebon hue, strong young Her.
cules, who, though rough and untaught,
possessed a grand nature"
Yes" assented the sentimental
major. "Often among the humble
flowers we find the rarest odors."
And" resumed Mrs. Gray, "among
the busy workers, with hardened hands
and tcil-stained faces, we find great
hearts. During the late war" she con-
tinued, my father and brother were
in the army, and, the overseer being
drafted into service, my mother, my
sisters and myself were compelled to
leave our beautiful home in the city
and go up the river to the plantation,
to manage, as best we could, the affairs
of that place. Our people were trust
worthy and kind, SO we had but little
trouble. A few weeks after our ar
rival at the plantation our hearts were
saddened by the death of a much-loved
servant-Rachel was her name; she
had nursed my mothers older chill
dren, and we were all very much at
tached to her. Rachel died suddenly,
of heart trouble the ply ysician said. and
her little children were cared for by
good old granny. Albert, the husband
of Rachel, was a field hand and re-
liable man."
"Of what time do you speak?"
"This was in the spring of 1864. The
trans Mississippi department was un-
General E. Kirby Smith. The struggle
east Of the Mississippi river had drawn
from us the chivalry of the great south
west; the sons of Arkansas, Mississip-
pi, Louisiana and Texas were scattered
from Gettysburg to Vicksburg and a
diminished force composed of the
fathers and husbands was left TO meet
the gathering foe that threatened. with
Gen. Steele at Little Rock, Ark, and
Gen. Banks at Alexandria, La. The
conscript bureau had CLEANED the fields
Of the last OF the bearded grain,' and
nothing was left but the flowers that
grew between, the boys too young
70 go.
Then a new order came, and the
men slaves were impressed and sent TO
the shops as laborers and teamsters in
the various departments, to AL such
places as they could, in order that for
every slave so employed a soldier could
be relieved, and go to the front. The
burden of feeding and clothing the
army devolved upon the women Of the
south. Cheerfully, and with untold
sacrifices. did they do their part Our
people did not escape the impressment
law"
Excuse me, but whom do you mean
by our peopleT" chirped the beauty
from the hammock.
I'VE called our slaves our people,"
responded Mrs Gray, with a smile.
They were impressed into service and
sent to Shreveport La, 10 work.
Among the men was one who had been
married only a year; he objected TO
leaving his wife and baby. Jake was
his name. While they were discussing
the question among themselves, Albert
presented himself TO the dining-room
door. Good mawnin'.~ mistis.' he
said, dofiing his hat AN 'skuse me 70
'sturbin' yer brekfuS but Use AKIN o
favor dis mawnin''
"'All right, Albert what Is tYl
isked nv mother.
Yer see, mistis. as how Jake is
II