The record-union., 1893-02-24
A CONFEDERATE DOLLAR Note.

Written for the RECoRp-UNIoN by s. P. Lion
berger.
''Yes, sir; you are right. That Confed-
crate note has a history-very dear it is
10 me, too, though perhaps it would be OF
little interest TO you-the romance OF my
life. For nearly twenty-seven years II
has hung in its frame, and if Mollie here
our youngest, sir-comes to live on the
old place when we are gone. she Will
leave it there and tell its story to her
children, as 1 have told it to mine. Yes,
you are right again. 1 was born and
brought up north of the line, but have
lived in the valley so long that those
early days sometimes appear more as a
dream than reality. How did l come to
leave the old home? Well, that is the
story of the Confederate dollar note.
You would like to hear it? Very well;
if it will help you to pass an idle hour
you are welcome, Pm sure.
when the war broke out l lived with
my mother and brother on the old home
stead, just inside of the Southern Penn
sylvania line. Father died when 1 was
a wee tot and we made shift as best we
could, and in the main were about as
contented and happy as people usually
are.
But when the troops began moving to
the front the change came. Bob-Boo is
my brother-got an idea into his head,
from some source, that the rebellion
would never be crushed unless by his in
dividual effort, and SO grew grabbed and
discontented as his companions gayly
marched away. So II came about, despite
everything mother and L could urge to
the contrary, that he came to us one day
dressed out and out in spick and span
regimentals, glistening with brass but
tons and stepping as loftily as though he
ruled the universe. His spirits dropped
somewhat when mother, solemn like,
asked how she and l were to manage
things while he, our main support, was
away; but he put the best face possible on
the business, pleading that he thought 1t
his duty TO himself and his country to go
TO the front and act a soldiers part. Bob
was only a private then, and though
cried at his going, was as proud of him
as If he had been General. You see,
was in sympathy with him and his
cause, and when he marched away look
ing so brave and gallant 1 heartily,
though tearfully, wished him good luck
and shoulder-straps.
You are old enough to remember how
time dragged in those days, particularly
to those who had dear ones at the front.
After each battle, and they came thick
enough, goodness knows, mother and /
knew no rest until we ascertained whether
or not Bob's regiment had been engaged,
and if it had we were fairly upon tenter-
hooks until we heard from Bob himself.
But as battle after battle was fought and
he came through without a scratch we
almost came to believe that he bore a
charmed life. He came out of the smoke
of the seven days of battle in the Penin-
sula with Sergeant's chevrons, and
shortly after our usually quiet neighbor-
hood was thrown into turmoil of excite
ment upon receipt of the news that the
rebels were coming. 1t proved no idle
report, for come they did.
''One day cloud of dust rolled down
the road from the north, and as l hurried
out to discover the cause the head of a
cavalry column swung into view, and
saw my first rebels. Strong, swart sol
dierly fellows they were, too, mounted
upon great rawboned horses, while their
trim gray uniforms, made grayer yet by
the dust that covered them, set off their
forms TO advantage. They appeared care
less even to rashness, but was not aware,
then, of the blind confidence and trust
men place in leader they love. The i'm
posing glitter and glamor that surround
ed them bewildered me, as well it might,
Tor l had heard many times-who had
not?-that they were the flower of the
Confederate army and the pride of the
South.
LAS the column moved on at brisk
trot many flying compliment was paid
the pretty maiden standing in the door
l was called pretty in those days, some
thing like our Mollie-but l stood as one
fascinated, gazing and gazing, vaguely
wondering the while if the entire male
population of the Confederacy was being
paraded for my especial qualification, un-
Ill at length straight. frank-looking
lrat rai, nd ita1r u
Tor drink of water from our well. /
was at the point of giving him an indig-
nant refusal when 1 CHANGED to catch a
glance from his eyes, and turning handed
him tin cup filled to the brin. He had
the kindliest eyes | ever saw, and good
humor and smiles seemed fairly dancing
from them; but 1 learned later that when
occasion required those same eyes could
flash fire and that the head behind them
was well worth a host of men.
"As he returned the cup he thanked me
with smile, and as he was about passing
on, trim-built, handsome young fellow
came galloping up, mounted on a badly
blown horse, and saluting, said: Scouts
from the main army have just arrived,
General Stuart, and report that General
Lee is massing in the vicinity of Shep-
ardstown, and directs you to move toward
that place with all possible Dispatch
VERY well, Captain replied the
other, and glancing at his watch, while /
looked on in open-eyed astonishment.
continued: Its a long ride and a hard
ride, but 1 have made longer and harder,
and what men and horses have done, my
men and horses can do.' Then closing
his watch with snap, he once more
smiled at me, lifted his horse into the air,
and was out of sight before could satisfy
myself that had not been dreaming,
My face must have showed my per-
plexity, for when l finally turned my
head, the officer who had brought the
order, or intelligence, or whatever you
call it, was looking curiously down at
me. He lifted his hat with the ease of a
courtier, as he quietly asked permission
to rest in the shade of the tree near our
gate few minutes, as his horse was we'll
nigh worn out. Instead of answering
him, / blurted out, Was that the rebel
General Jeb. Stuart?'
"'Yes, Miss, that was General Stuart. ,
replied the officer, as he took advantage
of my failure to answer his question to
dismount and lead his horse under the
tree in question.
Casting a look of whitening scorn at
him, returned tartly: 1 don't believe
you. That was gentleman, and Jeb.
Stuart is "a rebel
1.-The curious look upon his face changed
into smile as he replied: AS one of Cen
eral Stuarrs staff, 1 thank you; but 1 hope
you will one day understand that a man
may be what you are pleased to call a
rebel and none the less gentleman.'
"'You are rebel, too, 1 suppose; |
sneered, once moro glancing into his
face over which the smile still fitted, but
which was looking, l fancied, pityingiy
upon me.
"'Yes, Miss was his quiet reply, 4 am
what you call a rebel; but don't you
think you are rather severe on me?
Let me put it to you in another light
You are Pennsylvania, suppose, and
what should you think of one of her sons
who tOOk arms AGAINST baroi