Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-17

dCns of fragrance and slept in fortresses of security"; but, like all pleasure seek CTS, 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 a story, please" coOed the pretty blonde, tossing aside "IIero Worship" "Who ever knew a live hcro?" She laughingly asked.
 "I." promptly answered Mrs. Gray.
 "IIow delightful! Do tell us about him; who was he?"
 The only true heroism that ever came under my immediate notice," said the little woman, twas displayed by 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 humblest flowers we find the rarest odors."
 "And," resumed Mrs. Gray, among the busy workers, with hardened hands and toil-staincd faces, we find great hearts During the late war" she con- tinucd, 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 nurscd my mothers older chil- dren, and we were all very much at tached to her. Rachel died suddenly, of heart trouble the physician said. and her little children were cared for by a good old granny. Albert, the husband of Rachel, was a field hand aud a re- liable man."
 "Of what time do you speak?"
 This was in the spring of 1864. The trans-Mississippi department was un- der the command of the confederate 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 thre atened. with Gen. Steele at Little Rock, Ark, and Gen. Banks at Alexandria, La. The conscript bureau had gleaned the fields of the last of the bearded grain,' and nothing was left but the flowers that grew between, the boys too young to go.
 "Then new order came, and the men slaves were impressed and sent to the shops as laborers and teamstcrs in the various departments, to fill 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. Cheerfu!ly, and with untold b sacrifices, did they do their part. Our people did not escape the impressment law"
 "Excuse me, but whom do you mear by 'our pcople?'" chirped the beauty from the hammock.
 "We called our slaves our people, - responded Mrs. Gray, with a smile '"rhey were impressed into service anc sent to Shreveport, La, to work Among the men was one who had beer married only year; he objected tt leaving his wife and baby. Jake wa his name While they were discussin} the question among themselves, Alber presented himself to the dining-roon door. Good mawnin', mistis,' h, said, doffing his hat. 'an' 'skuse me fc 'sturbin' yer brekfus but I'se axin'
 favor dis mawnin.'