The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-14
IA SHINPLASTER.

r.p-..--.-, -
Tam % cent greonback, and for all I
know may be one Of the unredeemed; but
have had such varied experiences, and
was able 10 do SO much good the day Rich
mond was evacuated, I feel must tell
about IL, for ! was as much subject of
dispute In my day as gold and silver and
bonds are now. was sent forth fresh and
crisp from Washington to o paymaster In
tho Army Of the Potomac on the Virginia
peninsula, and he delivered me, along
with lot Of larger notes, to o captain Of
the Fifth Pennsylvania cavalry The cap
tain placed the big notes In a letter which
no wrote his wife-a sweet, loving letter
In which he told her he was going the
next day on raid up the peninsula, and
that II all went well he might sleep In
Richmond; that she must keep up brave
heart, and that he would be home soon,
When he sealed this letter, saw the mus
cles of his mouth twitch and his brave
blue eyes moisten and I snugglod up
within, for l knew the brayest were tho
tenderest, and he was wishing no could go
with that letter. But there were no Drawer
men In the war than tho Pennsylvanians,
and knew that, live or die, he would be
game and do what was right. The next
morning we started off and got along very
well until about N miles beyond WILL
hamsburg and Just at tho fork Of the
roads, We were attacked by the advance
guard of Shinglor's South Carolina cav
airy. We had only 40 mon in our party
and tho rebels were numerous. The cap
tain saw he had better retire. So he turned
his horse, ordered retreat, and the men
dashed down the road, firing as they re-
treated We went into new position be-
hind tho college walls-the college had
been burned-and as the hot lead spattered
against the old English bricks / shud.
dered, and every time tho statue Of Lord
Botetourt was hit felt as II everything
sacred was being desecrated, and could
almost hear tho British lion growi. While
l was made for circulation was based on
protection, and when charges were made
against me feared would be ground in
to pulp before was Withdrawn.
Our enemies were re-enforca,., and my
captain, seeing discretion was the better
part Of valor, again retired and dashed
down tho main street. Before he had gone
two squares bayonet was thrust through |
his thigh, and he was made prisoner, In |
q very short time l was exchanged for |
bag of tobacco and became an ally and as.
Gocate of armed rebellion. A shinplaster
has no affections or attachments, you know.
was put in what was called pocket by
my rebel owner, but 1t seemed to me like
a rag bag.
was presented to his sister, and then
was taken to the parlor in Richmond and
put in something had never heard of be.
fore-A glory pitcher. / had great curiosity
to know what glory pitcher was Day
and night kept my ears opon to try to
lind out, and on the Fourth of July did,
for they took me out and filled the pitcher
with punch and drank General George
washington health, and heard them say
that when General Washington died these
pitchers were made Of china, with pic.
ture Of General Washington being taken
up to glory on their sides. Every a2d Of
February and Fourth of July they were
used for punch. II ! had been sound mon.
oy, would have known that sister of tho
poet Longfellow, Mrs. Pearce of Portland.
Nc. had one of these pitchers, but was
OF mushroom growth--know nothing Of
traditions and really very little about my
self Well, ] remained q prisoner In soil.
thry confinement in Richmond until oyacu.
alton day came. 1t was Sunday, and heav.
en seemed to give one grand, glorious smilo
to the last day of the CGnfcderncy-a smile
like martyr wears on his dying face, and
nature, every tree and flower, was bursting
with green leaf and blossom, struggling to
be free, and thought the fearful eyes of
my dear ladies should take comfort and 70.
member that they, too, had been prison
bound and now were freeing Themselves
had grown to love the lady in whose
care had been, she was so puro and brave,
and l became unhappy lest some evil
should befall her and her little children
saw her kiss her husband goodby, and 1
saw her hand her Jewels and yaluables to ,
an old slave, who promised to do his best
10 protect her In short time tho city
was in flames, and water cut Off, the gas
house destroyed and darkness reigned. Tho
streets We're full of Union soldiers and !
army followers, and the desoation of that =
louse was beyond anything can describe t
Suddenly l heard my friends coming +
lown stairs, and felt my dear lady's soft {
white hand pick me up from tho glory lar {
smooth me out, and, calling Unolo Harry, !
faithful old slave she said :."Uncle Har. L
y, this shinplaster came from a fight In
Williamsburg. Richard gave 1t to mo- and f.
have kept ii all this while l SEQ thoy
rave established u suffers store across tho IL
way. If you are not afraid, go and SEQ II {
Will buy me some candles, for If 1t will y
We Will not be quite so fororn." !
Unclo Harry grabbed mo with his big \
Id, black hand and said: "God knows. -
Mary, you always was good, and v
Tod gwino to take care of you and yourn
I'd we and US Afeerdf amt gwine to n
ONE back 'dout dem candlos-'scusin Ii
ey amt got none" And he brought back tt
hree, and tho light they shed was like tho =
Tory OF God-n light in dark place ~
She lit one and made patrol of the -
ouse from garrett to cellar, under tho
eds and In tho closcts-would blow II
ut and In few hours rcconnoiter again,
d. when they were gone, where would u
ny more oomc fromp But she knew that OF
unto the upright thcre arseth light In v,
10 darkness, and her beautiful faith sus. - ~
'ined her. l was In the suffers shop n
lck in the Union lines, and missed my to
lory pitcher and all the exciting news I vc
seq to hear from the doctor and the GEN ri'
ais and my gay young lady. Although in
If exchange is no robbery, felt jealous
I'd injured.
Shortly after this l retired from bust. re
'ss. A small boy put mustache on the It
CO OF the statesman which adorns me, a
ummer pasted me on the inside Of his
SIX, and after brief and eyentful career
was sponged off and now lie in cabinet W. W.
cuTiosities, not caring rs cents what be. -,
mes Of me.-New York Mail and Tx. H.,
ess. VI
Modern Greek.
Modern Greek, as now TAUGHT In the