The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-10-22

ern hospitality and quite enthusiastic
about it. He told us of his experience,
and his manner indicated the great de-
light it had afforded him.
your relation of your experience in the
south, Elwood, recalls to me an expert
ence of my own with southern hospital
ity during the civil war" said Major Nc
Dougal. 1T was somewhat different
from yours, but quite as pleasant in its
way"
Major McDougal took out fresh
cigar. We assumed an attitude of at
tention and interest. 1t was always
treat to hear the major tell of his war
experiences. He seemed to have such
rare ones and was able to invest their
narration with such charm that you al
ways felt a regret when listening that
you had not lived in those days. When
he had taken long puff and blown the
smoke away into the air, the major be-
gan:
In June, 1864, while l was stationed
in Memphis, received orders to go over
into northern Arkansas and pay off the
Federal troops in that section. Prices
but to meet possible attack from guefil-
las l was given a guard of fifty men.
Our journey had to be made overland,
and we were equipped with a wagon
train. At the end of hot day and after
a dusty march we reached the little town
of Paragould. Our coming into the town
was quite an event. When Lieutenant
March, who was in charge of the guard,
picked out a site to pitch camp for the
night, the putting up of the tents was
watched by a curious crowd of towns
people. My tent was put up first. AS l
stepped out, after arranging things, l
was saluted by as picturesque looking
parsonage as had ever beheld. lie was
a handsome old fellow of about sixty,
/ should say, but as straight as an arrow
His long coat, shiny and somewhat green
with age; his broad expanse of shirt
front, his tile hat Of the style much worn
in the south before the war, were all
suggestive of better days. He looked for
all the world like the caricatures yon
see in the comic papers nowadays of the
crushed tragedian. His air, however,
was distinguished and courtly and
checked the desire to laugh which his at
tire inspired. Lowering his hat with
graceful wave, he said:
''Majah, permit me, sab, to welcome
you to Paragould."
His grandiose manner suggested own
ership Of the town. l concluded he must
be person of local Importance. thank
ed him for his welcome
"Are we to enjoy the honah of your
presence for long, sah?" he asked.
l replied that we would break camp in
the morning.
Il regret that most sincerely, sab, for
we would like to show you some little
social attentions in Paragould. How
evan, we will not let you depart without
some slight effort to make your brief
stay pleasant, and l hope, sab, you and
the officer in command of your escort
will do Nine. Jones and myself the honah,
sab, of supping with us this evening
That is Nine. Joness mansion thar
sahi' He pointed to a rather modest
weather worn house on a hill short
distance from the camp.
"Mme. Jones is a relative Of mine, sab
"a widow whose son is now at the front
in the Confederate service he continued.
'This deplorable war, sab, has made sad
inroads into our resources, hut, sab, an
officer and a gentleman-even though
cherishing different sentiments from ours
and engaged in upholding a cause which
we oppose-shall not have it to say that
he passed trough Paragould without
an offer of our hospitality"
thanked him with bow and turned
to Lieutenant March, who came up just
then for a few words with me. When
had answered the lieutenant's queries,
my visitor stepped up.
May l claim the honah Of a presenta-
ton to the lieutenant, sah?" he said,
and, without waiting for reply
II am Colonel Waldo Watterson, sab"
Lieutenant March," said.
Delighted to meet you, lieutenant" he
responded. "Allow me to compliment
. you on the appearance of your men, sab.
They look thorough soldiers, sab. have
just invited the majah to sup this even
ing with Nine. Jones-my relative, sab
and myself, and l hope you, too, will
honah us, sah."
He seemed to read a declination in my
countenance and made quick to forestall
it by holding out additional inducements.
f'It is just a few steps from your camp
and if you will come will promise you
the finest mint juleps you ever put to
your lips. Nine. Jones grows her own
mint and in the concoction of julep she
has, believe me, no equal in the southern
states. | should like for you, majah, and
our friend the lieutenant to receive one
from her own fair hands. 1t will be
something 70 be remembered, assure
you, sahs."
The old fe, 'ow caught my fancy, and
! decided to q ,cept his invitation just for
the fun of the thing | did not have the
slightest fear of treachery behind his
offer Of hospitality, because / was con-
WINGED that there were no rebels about in
any force. Besides, the house he pointed
out as that of Nine. Jones was too near
our camp to admit of any surprise. SO
l told him the lieutenant and | would
be pleased to accept his kind invitation.
'The pleasure is all ours, sab" he re-
piled. 81 will return for you in an hour
TO escort you to the mansion. But before
| go, majah, there is little mattah-a
mattah of some delicacy-which | am
forced to communicate to you, sab.
He came up closer to me and, though
The lieutenant had gone and we were
Alone, spoke in low tones, as II impart'
ing a matter of the greatest confidence.
'You see, majah," he said, I'VE have
been sadly devastated by the wah In
Paragould, and, as l said, our resources
have been drawn upon to an extent
which could not be foreseen. l am
afraid sab, that in the present emer'
gency Nine. Jones' stock of liquors has
been depleted, and, as there is no way OF
replenishing it in Paragould just now, /
am compelled by the exigeney of the oc'
casion to request that a slight quantity
of whisky for the juleps be furnished by
your commissary.'
"That will be all right" l said. "Dc
you wish to take it with your
mo, sab, thank you; | will seGd ouI
niggah for it," he said. And he departed
with the promise to return IN an hour
to escort us to the house.
In about half an hour an old negro pre-
scnted himself at my tent with note
from Colonel Waldo Watterson. 1t ran
thus:
My Dear Maori am in state OF great mental
perturbation. When ] communicated to Nine
Jones that 4 had invited you and Lieutenant
March TO Sup with US. she was filled with dehgh'
at the Prospective pleasure OF your visit, but when
she reflected upon the condition Of her ardeT she
wzs phnged into deep distress. In fact, sir, she
was moved to tears. She incurred the fact that
she was not sufficiently provided TO entertain two
such distinguished officers and suggested that tins
invitation had best be recalled, though she would
never cease to regret the painful circumstances
which had deprived her OF the pleasure of meeting
YOU Seeing how much she took the situation 70
heart how deeply her pride was hurt bade
her be OF good cheer and to trust to me 10 provide
4 all things necessary for your entertainment; but
sir il pains me to say that | am at loss as &c
how to do It, except to throw myself upon YOU
chivalry. have. therefore, prepared small hs'
of articles when ] trust you will let my mar
have, in addition to the pint Of whisky which yol
previousy-and with a delicaey which shall
never forget--offered to supply. Yours very cor
daily, WALDO WArrERsoN'
The list of articles which the colone
desired was inclosed. 1t called for pota
toes, one-half pound of coffee, and one
half a pound of sugar. sent for thu