Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1893-02-23
BY ELIZABETH CAIRNS SMITH.
CHATTER II
THE FALL or EICKSBURG
..GooDIY Sunny HOME

affairs of the Dlanta ion were conducted
in the manner usual during bis life. Here
Aleen resided surrounded by her slaves.
The loneliness of her situation Al tune
weighed heavily upon her mind, and
the sense Of DISSOLUTION caused by the
tragic death of her father. remained.
Years had pas ed by and ne had never
seen on henld from her aliiauctd since
the oyentiul evening previous to the
death ot Ter beloved father Aud while
he had been Impressed in tie army. she
had been lea believe. though reiuc-
family, that quite different circnm
stances kept him from her side. Then.
toe, other trObles were weighing on her
heart aud mind The troubles that had
for so long threat ned To encompass the
South, had at length burst upon her
The moment0us questions that agltated
the public mind a that time. 10 the re-
hottest ends of the North and South re-
NAMED unsettled and at length hurled
the contending forces of both sections
into civil war and the armies Of the
North and South were arrayed in battle
against each other. Mississippi at first
so far distant from the seat of war now
became insolved, and. crushed and
writing IN all the horrors of war, was
a field for devastation. with her cities
smoldering in ashes. and her citizens
fleeing for life. The once pleasant
homes became desolate, grass grew in
the streets of the once happy villages,
and the frightened people wondered on
seeking protection in the Federal lines,
or suffering all the hardships and
dangers incident to running the block
ade made their way 10 the distant cities
for refuge and protection. Others re-
manned on the deserted plantations and
there awaited the coming Of the Federal
troops.
Among those who waited was Aleen
DE Lency. Her slaves had long since
lied to the Federal lines, all save the
two faithful old servats, Chloe and
Pompey. With them she remained at
the plantation. All means of escape
was now cut off and she could not leave
even if she would. The Investment of
the city of Vicksburg had been gradual
~ accomplished and the city was sur
rendered to the Federal on the 4th of
July, 1868. Aleen at her plantation
heard of the surrender, and who can
describe her anguish. She knew that
Glenmere could 40 longer be her beau
tiful home.
Perhaps before tomorrow it would be
laid in ruins by the advancing army,
and she a wanderer, hopeless and friend
less. But soon other thoughts more
hopeful came into her mind, perhaps
the victorious foe would be more merci
tul. and feeling that God ruled over all
and "tempred the wind to the shorn
lamb. she became more reconcled
10 the inevitable.
At length the dreaded hour arrived.
and Chloe and Pompey excitedly came
into her presence exclaiming. "Oh, dey
am comm, Missile, dey am comm (;
look, look, de Yankee sofas am heah.
Come to the doah and you can see them
shuah. Aleen fastened to the door,
with beating heart and pallid cheeks
Yes. they were coming; the stars and
stripes iloated in the breeze. and the
tramp, tramp, of many feet sounded on
the air.
4 dizzy sensation came over her, a
sound AS of many waters filled her ears,
for an instsnt. Then she rallied. and
with silent prayer upon her lips for
protection and deliveranee. she instruct
&C old PompeY to tie a white handker-
chief to the end of his walking stick,
and he and old Chloe stood in the ward
IN front OF the mansion holding aloft
the strange flag OF truce
The Federal soldiers came victorious
" marching into view As they came
IN front of the mansion the picturesque
group met their eyes
The venerable negroes stood with
their flag of truce Their forms bent
and marked With the weight of years
Their woody locks white as the driven
snow. A gaudy turban of red and yell
low encircled the aged brow of the
negreSs, and Pompey had arraved him
self in a livery of dark clare., laced
with silver, remnents of better DAYS.
when the tOotmon, now aged and bent,
vas tall, stately and dignified, in his
office to the aristocratic Col De Lency.
Aleen, with tear. dimmed eyes, stood
alone Upon the rose-wreathed yeranda
OF her magnificent mansion. A raw of
sunlight for moment penetrated the
heavy clouds which had all day darkeu.
ed the sky, and il fell as n benediction
upon her and for moment lii up her
face, and was lost among the dark locks
OF the tresses, that fell uncontined over
her shoulders. like veil of mourning
around her.
As she stood thus, watching the SOL
diers marching by, 4 young officer Oh
served her and, struck by her air OF
sorrow, and evident desolation. as well
rs with her great beauty. be paused,
hesitated, then approached her. AS he
advanced with easy grace and lifted his
hat, he addressed her in deferentiaI
tones: Madam, you doubtless tremble
for the safety of yourself. your home
and your property, yet | trust there is
not one OF us so lost to principles OF
honor and justics aS to modest you. q
lacy, and one who claims the protection
Of our flag He glanced at old Pompey
and his flag OF truce. As he ceased
speaking.
Aleen recognized him as a gentleman
and bowed in silence to his address
She observed he was 3 splendid Speci-
men OF manhood and something in his
countenanCe and appearance remined