The National tribune., 1899-12-21
"oH, Mlssrs. THAT ROOSTER I Ak s15o Fo,n

in her hand was placed a letter, saying:
How grieved 1 am l can not tell you; but
Mr.. Moore's head was struck off yesterday
as he raised himself from behind the trench
to reconnoiter."
Winter found me many time without
coal; the canal had been cut, and the locks
destroyed; therefore it cotild not be brought,
as the Danville Railroad was also de-
stroyed, the trains not having run for
several weeks. Once | had lain in bed all
day to keep warm. Judy had exhausted
her ingenuity in devising some mode Of
obtaining fuel; she had burned the last
box and barrel, and was fairly nonplussed.
| got up and dressed myself as expedite
ously as my cold fingers could dispatch
tape and buttons, determined to go 10 the
coal yard myself. 1t was long way, and
| met many diSconsolate women, who
begged me TO return, as my errand would
prove fruitless; but / persevered, and at
last on reaching the Office of Mr. Burke,
looked appeaiingly at him and asked for
coal
Haven't any" he said; "have refused 500
people"
! sat down forlorn. Upon raising my
which / took heart to say: DO you not
think that little fine coal might possibly
be scraped up, just to keep me from freezing
only that:"
His quick reply was: 81 had saved half
load; you can have half it."
Ifelt like crying, but didn't. Ipaid him
| $50, and in an hours time was crying in
my faithful Judy's arms, in gratitude to a
cheerful blaze; but tears soon turned to
smiles at her queer way Of comforting:
Good Lord, missis, while you was freez-
ing you didn't cry; now you are warm you
let your tears run. For de Lord sake hold
up your head; somebody's at de do begging
10 get dere hands WAN"
So / admitted the tenants, only too glad
10 extend the hospitality, besides lending
them half bushel Of coal apiece.
BEFORE THE CAPITULATION.
frequently went 10 the Legislative halls,
and was sometimes pleased and some
times disgusted. i heard Gov. Wise lee
ture just month, think, before the capitu-
lation. The crowd was dense to suffoca-
| ton. His elOquence chained my mind,
riveted my ears and cheered my heart; for
he, with all his native powers, in ornate and
copious language pronounced emphatic
ally that our day Of deliverance was at
hand.
Starvation seemed likely to ensue as the
Winter waned into Spring. Meat was out
OF the question. Flour brought $1,000 to
! $4,000 per barrel.
One morning in March went to market,
and as was slowly sauntering towards the
oyster stalls / espied chicken which
almost deafened Inc with its lusty growing.
| / asked the negro who was standing by:
"Unclc, what do you ask for your
chicken"
"Ah, missus, that rooster ak $50 fo'."
How old is he, Uncle?"
| 81 can't say, 'Zactly, but it pears TO me
that coming this Summer he will be in his
six year"
"And you still ask so large sum for
him:' Why, he will be as tough as
| leather"
Yah! yah! Desc Confedrit times
people don't stand on tough" said he.
AFTER THE CAPTURE OF THE CITY.
| BY the third day things began
to assume something like law and order; but
starvation was staring the whole popula-
ton in the face. II is true that suffers had
opened stores of tempting food; but who
had money TO buy? Not one, except some
of the Jews. ], myself, had not one mouth
full except a quart of meal; the marketing of
Saturday was exhausted, and my neighbors
could not give me, as they had nothing to
bestow.
One by one the men who had left the citv
| lcame back, but were Of no more use than a