The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-04-03

down. ct was not our purpose to look the
door; the servant must have looked it.)
From the door they went to the window.
opening upon our bed room, and the
blinds were torn open, and for moment
I was sure the sash would be raised, or
broken down. As the blinds were opened
thew saw the curtain drawn down; they
returned to the door (cursing the whole
concern) which was now opened wide.
Mrs. NJ. asked me in a whisper. "Can
thew be negro soldiers?" II hardly think
So for they have come up the front steps.
And there was but moment to consider
when the campany walked heavily into the
front room; and heard the heavy thud Of
of several guns as they struck the carpet;
there we're several of them, and before L
could think what all this meant the bed
room was opened wide, and with his right
hand upon the knob, one leaned into the
room and said with much authority: "Get
up out Of that bed; do you hear me-? and
be slammed the door. To our dismay we
saw it was the same rnffian who had ques-
toned me so closely half hour before
Mrs. u. told the servant to 60 in and
tell him that Mr.. NJ. was sick and that be
could not get up. He followed her as she
returned. Madam; you come into this
room; and you, sir, obey my orders and get
up out Of that bed at once. Do you hear
me?" and he withdrew, shutting the door
violently.
'Are you going out of the room?" "No
cant leave you in his hands" I replied:
eve are in their hands, and there is no
70 u,ho "
carry US. don't know how to advise you
I intend to remain here until I am forced
to get up. If they force me, then I'll have
to obey them" It was moment Of great
anxiety to me. could not, it seemed to
me, endure the thought of Mrs. NJ. going
out Of the room. We could hear men talk
ing in the other room and all of them ap-
peared to be upon their feet. The inquiry
upon our minds was, what can be their
business with guns?" But the door is
opened again by the same officer, wider
than before, (and then caught glimpse
of negro soldiers face.) He asked sew
erely, '.have you not gotten up out Of that
bed?" 'Are you going to obey my orders
or not?" "And madam, you come into this
room" and the door was slammed.
I was greatly surprised at Mrs. Ms self
possession, as she laid the babe beside me,
and left the room, going where they were.
The door was closed and I was left with the
babe. The servants in terror had entered
the room opening upon the dining roonn)
and l was alone with the babe. AS the
door was closed it seemed as if my troub.
les had reached climax. It was only for
8 moment, when three officers entered and
stood before me. closing the door. One of
them was short, thick-set man; they
called him Captain; the other with black
eyes, and dark hair and complexion, re-
minded me of "Spaniard;" the third was
the one who had visited me q half hour
before smoking cigar. There I lay in
the presence of three United States" Off
GERS, for whom all my life before I had
entertained the greatest respect.
I watched them closely; and again was
ordered in fierce, subdued tone to 'get
up out of bed" by the one who had or
dered me before to get up, (the cigar fel-
low. But made no move to obey, and as
they stood near each other in that small
bed room. + could easily see that I'd have
to obey them. But I determined would
not until they made me. thinking they'll
hardly hurt my person while IN bed. The
''cigar fellow" then came nearer, and, look
ing me in the face, said with more severity
than before: ''Are you not going to get up
out of that bed?" There was too much
meaning in his tones to admit Of q doubt
but that I'd have to obey him; but still de-
laye6 and asked: "What is the necessity
for al this?" sect up, sir, instantly"
"But I am sick man, and every one in
the town will assure you of this. What
have done? Wherein have I offended
that you should treat me thus?" "Get up
instantly" said the cigar fellow" and I
thought now, AS he came back to my bed
side, he is going to drag me out I had
done NV best to keep in bed, and any
longer resistance to their orders might in
crease their anger, and the order was again
repeated in the shape OF question, ''are
You going to get up or not?" l made the
first effort, and staggering in my weakness,
reached out both my arms to the rocking
chair a step or two from the bed, and fell
into it. Ny mind was now divided be-
tween what treatment I was to receive and
Mrs. u. in the presence of the negro SOL
diers in the other room, and the door closed
between US. The first to address me now
was the Spanish-looking officer: "Do you
know this - rascal who shot on the street
one of our advanced guard after he sur
rendered." He said this in subdued tone,
with his eyes resting on mine. II am posi-
tive that do not know him. He had rid
den into the town in the earlier part of the
day with another soldier. saw the two
ride in from the window" but you do
know, and you are the - coward who did
it; our men say so, and that you ran into
white house" They say you have been
hanging around here while all the other
white men have left to save the gold and
silver which has been put in your care"
''This is "a graet; mistake. I could not
have shot this man. for have been in bed
for days, and all in this town knows this is
so. You have allowed yourselves to be i'm
posed upon. I bave been closely questioned
on all these matters by Lieutenant Water
man, and he is perfectly convinced of my
truthfulress." "Bas he been here?"
"What brought him here?" ITO make the
inquiry you have, and to kindly advise me
how to save the little provisions We have,
pointing to the meat and bag of rice on
the hearth. 1--WE don't care if Waterman
has been here; it is a lie. Treasure
has been brought here, and put il your
care by your parishloners. You can't deny
this. One large box has already been car
ried off and there is more here. (Referring
to COL Jas. E. Davis's Uniform which his
widow had sent for me to protact).
Gentlemen, let me assure ycu, no treasure
has been brought into this house. and none
has been carried out. You must believe
me. have been taught to tell the truth
from my infancy, and it would be strange
for me to begin to lie, prostrated and sick.
with negro army surrounding my doors.
You have suffered yourselves to be imposed
zpon. There is nothing in this house but
what is mine. This is church property.
This furniture is mine; everything but
that oil portrait in the other room. which
friend has sent me to protect. She learned
that Sherman protected the Methodist par
sonage in Rome, Ga. It is here under my
care" $50 you have heard of Sherman
es, he swept through this State about
Sf+p rn;loe ohoya nc " s.Wall We don't want