Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-05-05
ROBY'S PRISONER.

The clank Of canteens, the steady
tramp Of thousands of feet, the dull,
monotonous roll Of drum, and the
Union men marched into Poinsett,
Miss, on their way south. The Poin-
sett mansion and plantation, on the
outskirts Of the village that bore the
name Of the owner Of the big cotton
fields, was to all appearances desert
ed as Major Brown, handsome even
in his dusty regimentals, rode up to
the front door and raped loudly
with the hilt Of his sword. A trem-
bling old negress timidly opened the
door for little space and pushed her
white, woolly head through the crew
ice.
Can you give a dozen officers ac-
comodations for the night, auntie9"
The voice was as kind as the face,
and Aunt Nancy threw the door
wide open and majestically stepped
back for the officer to enter.
"Jes' tex seat in de pahlah, Mas
sa Of'cer, tell | call Miss Roby."
The negress walked away, and Major
Brown sat down in one of the antique
chairs, glanced about at the furnish
ings and out of the window and
across landscape rich in green and
gold of the meadows and the setting
sun. At the window sill a honey
suckle bloomed, and humming
bird, oblivious to the martial motion
Of the mass in blue passing the
house like a steel tipped stream.
hung over the flowers A rosebush
shrouded the garden wall and pre-
scented a bank of brilliant blossoms
against the dark leaves.
Miss Roby Poinsett was standing
in the door when the major looked
around He arose, bowed, and say
ing that he was sorry to discommode
her asked if Accommodations could be
accorded him and his fellow officers
for the night. II am Major Brown"
he concluded respectfully.
You certainly are welcome, SIR"
the young woman replied, though
| fear we are poor entertainers Our
brothers are in the east, and our help
has deserted us, except old auntie,"
with a nod of her head toward the
hall.
1T is kind of you, and assure
you of ample protection"
Again bowling, the major stepped
to the door and gave a command to
his aid, who rode away. An hour
later strange fires dotted the mead
ow, and the green pastures whit
ened under the ranks of Sibley tents.
The whippoorwill's call was hushed
by the quavering blasts of bugle;
shadowy forms passed to and fro be-
fore the fires. Then all was dark
and still, only the white tents and
shiny stars and pacing sentries. The
army slept.
Auntie proved her value and the
generosity of her larder Twelve Of
ficers discussed the biscuits and
honey and savory fried chicken and
wheaton loaves Miss Roby sat at
the head of the table as hostess.
Her mother begged to be excused, as
she was indisposed. The honors of
the table were well cared for, and
later, when a half dozen bottles of
wine were brought out Of the cellar
and a box of cigars was produced,
the talk flowed freely. No word of
war was uttered and no allusion
made to the camp ON the meadow
The men knew they were partaking
of the hospitalities of an enemy CIV
en- as freely as if they were friends.
The cigars were smoked ON the
and the crescent moon came
up over the distant hills before the
little group broke up Aunt Nancy
handed each candle and led the
way up the broad stairs to the
rooms above. A cheerful fire of |
twigs was burning in the CRATE in
Major Browns room, and he sat
before il until the last tiny spark
w hihCo out, anu iiio SaidiO was pPoG
tering in its socket before he parted
the white curtains that concealed his
bed. The first streak of dawn showed |
the outlines of pictures in their oval
on the wall when the major /
threw open the shutters and drank
IN the pure air. I
The bugler was just sounding his
lirst blast, and the camp was begin
ming to wake. Teamsters were knock
ing about their tent stables. and the
horses were neighing for the oats
that came with the break Of day.
Carefully dressing. the major went
down stairs to the garden, listening
TO the early chirping of the birds
and the vigorous clarion of the cocks
In the great barn that loomed up out !