St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-02-18

dens OF fragrance and slep: in fortresse
OF security; but, like all pleasure seek
erA.w were now weary of monotonou
rounds of uneventful days. and former
delights grew stale. Gentle Mrs. GRAY
and Miss Harland, the invalid whos<
thin. scarlet cheeks and bright eye.
told too plainly the presence Of the de
Stroyer. the quiet rector and the some
what pompous major. with his little
klonde wife. made up our party.
''Some one tell us a story, please, y
cooed the pretty blonde, tossing aside
Hero Worship" "Tho ever knew o
live hero?' She laughingly asked.
~" promptly answered Mrs Gray.
"How delightful! Do tell us about
him; who was he?"
The only true heroism that ever
came under my immediate notice, said
the little woman, ''was displayed BY q
hero of ebon hue, a strong young Her
cules. who. though rough and untaught,
possessed a grand nature"
YES" assented the sentimental
major. ''Often among the humblcst
flowers we find the rarest odors."
"And, resumed Mrs. Gray, ''among
the busy workers, with hardened hands
and to;l-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 60 up the river to the plantation,
70 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
oaddened by the death of q much-loved
0ervant-Rachel was her name; she
had nursed my mothers older chill
dren, and we were all very much at
cached 10 her. Rachel died suddenly,
p& heart trouble the physicizn said. and
her little children were cared for BY .
rood old granny. Albert, the husband
Of Rachel, was field hand aud Q re-
liable man."
s-Of what time do you spcak?'
'sThis was in the spring of 1864 The
eeans-M Mississippi department was un-
dor the command of the confederate
General E. Kirby Smith. The struggle
est Of the Mississippi river had drawn
4kom rs the chivalry of the great south |
uest; the sons of Arkansas, Mississip- |
n. louisiana and Texas were scattered |
ltom Gettysburg to Vicksburg, and a |
dimiuished force composed of the |
lhahers and husbands was left to meet |
- gathering foe that threatened. with
Cen. Steele 1T Little Rock. Ark, and
Cen. Banks at Alexandria, La. The
ennscript bureau had cleaned the fields
q the last Of the bearded grain and
nothing was left but the flowers that
t1ew between.-the boys too young
= 60
ssThen . new order came, and the
non slaves were impressed and sent to
- shops Is laborers and teamsters in
~ various departments, to fill such
11nces as they could, in order that for
1vuEy slave 20 employed . soldier could
y relieved, and 60 to the 'front.' The
arden Of feeding and clothing the
NV devolved upon the women of the
9Th Cheerfully, and with untold
ncfiaces. did they do their part Our
neople did not escape the impressment
~"
ssExcuse me. but whom do you mean
- our people?'" chirped the beauty
6oo the hammock.
I'VE called our slaves our people.
paponded Mrs Gray. with . smile. ,
QSey were impressed into service and +,
ut 10 Shreveport La. TO work.
Imone the men was one who had been {
p.rried only year; he objected to /.
paving his wife and baby. Jake was s
= name. While they were discussing I
= question among themselves, Albert
eoeented himself to the dining-room
-. Good mawnin', mistis.' he ,
"a do0ing his hat an 'skuse me TO 4
rurbin' yer brekfua. bat l'se axiA' . .
ror diD mawnin'.' Id