The National tribune., 1901-05-30

ing that | had oversight, | sprang on
quickly and commenced to dress. first IN
duIging in a refreshing bath, however, b,
means of which the stiffness. which hat
followed my restless night almost who'll.
disappeared. Viewed in the light of thi
lovely newborn day, my forebodings o
the night looked very foolish, and L fel
disposed to laugh at my fear.
| had hardly dressed ere there came ;
knock at my door, which at my bidding
was opened, admitting negro. who SAID
breakfast am served. sab. and at once
departed, leaving me to follow at my leiS
ure.
He was not the polished functionary t.
whom | had been accustomed on my for
mer visits, and | had commenced to won
der what had become of the other; wher
there came another tap, followed by the
request in Georges voice, May | come
in?''
Certainly" l replied.
We'll. how are you this morning, and
how did you sleep i'll your old quarters:
asked George, entering the ROOM
.'Oh. feel fine. l couldn't feel differ
ent this glorious morning. L said enthuSl
astcally.
"Ho, no: as enthusiastic as ever about
the weather, | see. Well, however glor-
ious your morning may be, it has not sat,
isfied my appetite. l am as hungry. as
a wolf, and l know breakfast is waiting
so lets adjourn"
'.All right" l agreed, following him to
ward the dining room.
What has become of your fo0tman!'
asked as we walked along.
''Footman? Oh, yes; you mean poor old
Joe. Why, he died about a year ago. 1t
was big loss to me, for we have been
unable to find anyone to ill his place sue
cessfulIy. He was regular treasure,
and so intelligent; besides, he had been
with the family for years, and understood
our ways SO we'll
Yes, it was indeed a loss,' | agreed,
thinking to myself that he spoke about it
as one of our Northern men would of the
loss of a valuable horse.
We found the family and Mr.. Edwards
already assembled when we entered the
diningroOm, where a very tempting repast
was laid. to which did as full justice as
George. notwithstanding his declarations
of hunger.
The family all expressed surprise when
! informed them of my intentions of ac-
conn anying George to Nashville, and then
going to visit at Mr.. Lanes, in East Ten
nessce.
Why. didn't suppose you could travel
about like that now," said Mrs. yelling.
And | couldn't without a permit" L
replied; but George kindly consented to
procure me one, so | think | shall have
no difficulty"
But isn't it dangerous asked Miss
Carrie.
NO. of course not" broke in her father
before | could reply. 'Do you think our
boys would interfere with a peaceable citi-
zen? They don't follow the example OF
their enemies that way. No, Sah."
| WINGED at the implied slur at the
North. but realized that Mr.. yelling did
not think what he was saying. He be-
longed to that class in the South which
would scOrn to treat guest discourteous-
ly. hut had been with the family so much
that he forgot | was a NortherneT.
Breakfast over, George and / repaired
to our rooms to prepare for our journey.
Then | had a chance to see Southern
soldiers parting with his family.
There was the same sorrow, the heart
felt prayer for his safety, and the same
long, lingering embrace on the part of his
mother as was witnessed in the Northern
home on the departure of a loved one.
The father and sisters bade as affec-
tOnate an adieu as ever did a father or q
sister in the North, and all consecrated
him to the cause they believed to be just,
as many Northern boy was consecfated
to the Union.
| could not but be affected by this part
ing, nor help seeing its likeness to that of
my own.
True, L had been consecrated to the
cause this soldier was going to fight
against, but to him and his family the
cause of the South appeared as right as
did that of the North to me-
They had been reared in the soil of
slavery and State rights until they believed
these institutions fundamental and neces-
sary TO their well-being. and time alone
could conyince~them of their error.
Although George naturally received the
greater share of attention, | was not Who'll
ly forgotten, each member of the family
shaking hands with me and wishing me a
pleasant journey.
Mr.. yelling was particularly cordial
BE sure to stop. when you return" he
said. You will always be welcome. sah.''
l thanked him as | hastcned to join
George, who was awaiting my coming
The hne old family carriage was ready
to take us to a town about 20 miles dis
tant to board the train.
Neither George nor | said much during
the drive, each being occupied with his
own thoughts.
The train we took for Nashville was
hlled with motley collection of soldiers
and civilians, and not one of them. except
myself, l believe. had any love for the
Union under which they had lived so long.
There were nothing but curses for Abe
Lincoln and his Government as they
called the Union; but for Jeff Davis and
the Southern Confederacy there were loud
cheers.
| was taking my first lesson in endur
the country | loved was bitterly and I'M
justly slandered; but bad as were the re-
vliings | heard here, they were weak com
pared with what / heard when [ reached
Nashville, where the most extreme hatred
for the North prevailed and the yilesr
epithets were hurled at the Lincoln Gov
ernment.
As we approached the city there were
everywhere visible signs of the immense
preparations the COnfederates were MAX
ing for the great struggle before them.
BATTERIES and forts were being construct
ed, bitches being dug, and how different
from the North, where all this heavy work
was done by the soldiers, often worn out
by hard marches before it was com
menced; all this work being done by ne
gr0es, who were forced TO work against
those lighting TO free them.
Many Of the negroes had little knowl-
edge OF this fact, however, and frequently
looked upon the "YankS" as usurpers as
much as did their masters. | had seen
touching proof of the mistaken view which
some of the negroes had OF the Union sol
dIers that morning when the old negro
woman who had been Georges nurse and
who looked upon him as belonging to her
as much as to the family, parted with
hlm- The woman was almost heart
broken about his going away
20, Master George" she walled, 81 les.
knows lse neber gwine ter see yo' agin.
Dem old 'Hanks' done gwine ter kill yo'.
shure."
oh, no, guess not" said George.
sodthingly;. Il don't think they are going
10 kill me'
I