Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-12-11

49, SNtf hidJabs nt Hhhbs We ia o
been sadly devastated by the wah in
Paragould, aud, as | said, our resources
have been drawn upon to an extent
which could not be foreseen. / am
afraid, sab, that In the present emer-
gency Mime. Jones' stock Of liquors has
been depleted, and, as there is no way of
replenishing it in Paragould just now.
am compelled by the exigency 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" / said. "Do
you wish to take it with your
"No, sah thank you; | will send our
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-
scented himself at my tent with a note
from Colonel Waldo Watterson. 1t ran
thus:
My Dear Msjor-I am in a state Of great mental
Jones that l had invited you and Lieutenant
March to sup with us, she flled with delight
at the prospective pleasure Of your VISIT but when
she reflected upon the condition OF her larder she
was plunged into deep distress In fact, sir, she
moved to tears. She mourned the fact that
Sue Nah NOT ruilHieDttY prONlueu 10 entertain Two
such distinguished officers and suggested that the
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 to
heart. how deeply her pride was hurt, | babe
her be Of good cheer and to trust to me to provide
all things necessary for your entertainment; but,
sir. it pains me to say that am at loss as to
how to dc it, except to throw myself upon your
chiyalry. have. therefore, prepared a small list
OF articles, which | trust you will let my man
have. in addition to the pint OF whisky which you
preyiously-and with a delicacy which | shall
never forget-ofered to supply Yours very cor
daily, WALDO WArrERsos
The list of articles which the colonel
desired was inclosed. 1t called for potaa
toes, one-half pound of coffee, and one
half pound of sugar. | sent for the
commissary sergeant, told him to give
the negro the provisions requested. also
pint of whisky, and charge up the ac-
count to me. | was becoming more and
more Interested and wanted to see the
joke olt. The negro departed with the
packages, and about half an hour later
Colonel Waldo Watterson put in an APP
pearance, his countenance .beaming with
pleasure.
Now, majah, if you will send for the
lieutenant, we will proceed to the man
sion. l think Nine. Jones will have ev-
erything in readiness when we arrive"
He made not the slightest reference to
his note of a half hour previous. OF
course did not. My orderly soon fetched
Lieutenant March, and we three set out
for the house, which was not more than
few hundred yards from the camp.
The colonel walked between US and kept
NJ . n
and its attendant misfortunes, ornament
ing his discourse with many grandilo-
quent phrases. When we reached the
house, or mansion" as the colonel per-
sisted in calling it, we were met at the
door by the colored man who had brought
the colonels note to camp.
Jackson" said the colonel. you may
inform your mistress that Major McDou-
gal and Lieutenant March of the Fed
eral army have arrived and are awaiting
the honah of presentation. Meantime.
sahs, we will take seats here on the We
randa. 1t is rather warm inside, and |
think we will enjoy sitting out here and
slipping our juleps while awaiting the
announcement of suppah
The veranda was n very dilapidated
porch, but the view from it was rather
fine, and a slight breeze which came
through the trees was a pleasant relief
after our long march that day in the
blazing sun.
In few moments Nine. Jones came
out, and We were presented. She was a
well preserved woman OF about fifty.
Her attire, like the colonePs had the pre-
tense of better days, and there was about
her that indefinable charm which is in
dicative of refinement. She greeted us
graciously and asked us if we wouldn't
come into the parlor.
Il ventured to suggest, Lorena, that
the gentlemen would find it more enjoya-
BILE to sip their juleps on the veranda,"
said the colonel.
Certainly" she responded, ''if they
prefer it. If you will excuse me, l will
see that they are served"
The colonel entertained US with all the
gossip of the town. interspersing his mar
ratiyes with frequent suggestions of his
own Importance in the community. In
about ten minutes the negro, Jackson,
came out bearing tray with three juleps
on ii, He was followed by Nine. Jones,
who remained just long enough to ex-
press the hope that they were to our
taste. We took sip, pronounced them
delicious, which, indeed, they were, and
she then re-entered the house to look
after the preparation of supper.
In a short while supper was announced
by Jackson, and we went in, preceded by
the colonel. The house looked bare and
poverty stricken, but everything was
scrupulously neat. The colonel took the
head of the table, Nine. Jones sat at the
foot, and Lieutenant March and l were
on either side. They had managed to
scare up a chicken SOMEWHERE have
always suspected Jackson-and it was
nicely broiled. The chicken, some sliced
tomatoes, boiled potatoes, bread. apple
sauce and coffee constituted the meal.
During the meal the coloners volubility
was incessant. He RECALLED US with many
OF his experiences during the early days
in the south, most of which we realized
were fictitious, but which were none the
less enjoyable on that account. Nine.
Jones was a charming hostess. Jackson
acted as butler, and his get up was ludi-
crous. He wore a discarded coat of the
coloners and an expansive white tie
made into a huge how Ii looked like one