Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-12-11
Colonel
Waldo WattersOn's
Hospitality
BY JUSTIN M'GRATH

Dortlerners, he was charmed with south
ern hospitality ana 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. ut was somewhat different
from yours, but quite as pleasant in its
way"
Major McDougal took out a fresh
cigar. We assumed an attitude of at
tention and interest. 1t was always a
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 | was stationed
In Memphis, | received orders to go over
into northern Arkansas and pay off the
Federal troops In that section. Prices
army had been driven south by that time.
but to meet a possible attack from guerl-
las l was given a guard of fifty men.
Our journey had to be made overland,
and we were equipped with wagon
train. At the end of hot day and after
n 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 curious crowd of towns-
people, My tent was put up first. AS
stepped out, after arranging things, l
was saluted by as picturesque looking
parsonage as | had ever beheld. He was
n 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 you
see in the comic papers nowadays of the
crushed tragedian. His air, however,
was distinguished and coultly and
checked the desire to laugh which his at
tire inspired. Lowering his hat with a
graceful wave, he SAID:
"Majah, permit me, sab, to welcome
you to Paragould."
His grandiose manner suggested own
ership of the town. | 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. Jones's mansion thar,
sah" He pointed to rather modest
weather worn house on hill short
distance from the camp.
mime. Jones is 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, but, sab, an
officer and a gentleman-eyen though
cherishing different sentiments from ours
and engaged in unfolding cause which
we oppose-shall not have it to say that
he passed through Paragould without
an offer of our hospitality"
| thanked him with bow and turned
to Lieutenant March, who came up just
then for few words with me. When |
had answered the lieutenant's queries,
my visitor stepped up.
MAY claim the honah of presenta-
ton to the lieutenant, sah?" he said,
and, without waiting for a reply:
Il am Colonel Waldo Watterson, sah."
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 declination in my
countenance and made quick to forestall
it by holding out additional Inducements.
SIT is just a few steps from your camp
md 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 to be remembered, | assure
you, sahs."
The old fellow caught my fancy, and
| I decided to accept his invitation inst 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
| cur camp to admit of any surprise. So
/ told him the lieutenant and ! would
| be pleased to accept his kind invitation.
"The pleasure is all ours. sah." 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, sah."
| He came up closer to me and. though
| the lieutenant had gone and we were