Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-10-15

have been drawn upon to an extern
which could not be forcseen. ! an
afraid sah that in the present emer
gcncy Nine. Jones' stock of liquors has
been depleted, and, as there is no way OF
Icplcnshing it in paragould just now,
am compelled by the eXigency Of the oc
casion to request that 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, sab, thank YOU l will send our
niegah for it." he said. And he departed
with the promise to return i'll an hour
TO escort us to the house
In about half an hour an old negro pre-
scented himself ut my tent with note
from Colonel Waldo Wattcrson. 1t ran
thus:
Ny Dear Major--I am in state of great mental
perturbation. When | communicated to Nine.
Jones that | had invited you and Lieutenant
| March to sup with U.S. she was filled 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
| was moved to tears She mourned the fact that
She was not sufficiently provided TO entertain two
such distinguished officers and suggested that the
invitation had best be recalled, though she would
never cease 10 regret the IalntuI 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 to provide
all things necessary for your entertainment; but,
SIR it pains to say that / am at loss to
how to do it, except TO throw myself upon your
chi,ary. ! have, therefore, prepared small list
of articles, which l trust you will let my man
have, in addition TO the pint OF whisky which you
prcyiously--and with decacy which | shall
never forget-ofered to supply. Yours very cor
daily, WALDO WArTERsoS.
The list of articles which the colonel
desired was inclosed. 1t called for pota-
toes. oneh9lf u pound of coffee and one
half a pound of sugar. | sent for the
commissary sergeant, told him to give
the negro the provisions requested, also
II pint of whisky, and charge up the ac-
count to me. | was becoming more and
more interested and wanted to see the
joke out. The negro departed with the
packages aud about half an hour later
Colonel Waldo Watterson put in an APP
pcarance, his countenanCe beaming with
pleasure.
Nov, majah, If you will send for the
lieutenant. we will proceed to the man
sion. think Nine. Jones will have ev-
erything in readiness when we arrive"
He made not the slightest reference to
his note of Il half hour previous. or
course | did not. My orderly soon fetched
Lieutenant March, and we three set out
for the house, which was not more than
a few hundred yards from the camp.
The colonel walked between us and kept
UP a running conversation upon the war
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 We're met at the |
door by the colored man who had brought |
the colone's 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 n 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 q very dilapidated
porch, but the view from it was rather
fine, and a slight breeze which came
through the trees was n 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 Il
well preserved woman Of about fifty.
Her attire, like the colonels, had the pre-
tense of better days, and there was about
her that indetinable charm which is in
dicative of refinement. She greeted us
graciousy 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
ratives with frequent suggestions of his
own importance in the community. In
about ten minutes the negro, jackson,
came out bearing a tray with three juleps
on it. He was followed by Nine. Jones.
who remained just long enough to eX-
press the hope that they We're TO our
taste. We took sip, pronounced them
delicious. which, indeed, they were, and
she then re-entercd 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
neat. The colonel took the
head of the table, Nine. Jones sat at the
foot, and Lieutenant March and | were
on either side. They had managed TO
scare up a chicken sOmcwhere-I 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 coonel's voubiity
was incessant. He RECALLED us with many
Df his experiences during the early days
N the south, most of which we realized
were fictitious, but which were none the
ess enjoyable on that account. Nine.
tones was charming hostess. Jackson |
acted as butler, and his get up was ludi ,
,rous He wore a discarded coat of the ,
,olonefs and an expansive white tie .
made into huge bow. 1t looked like one
If Nine. Joncss apron strings, and |
link it probably was.
After the meal we repaired again to the 6
,cranda and were joined by Nine. Jones. !;
Il would like to invite you gentlemen '
o smoke" said the colonel. but | re- I
;ret to say that | parted with the last Of Z
ny tobacco to some Confederate officers
friends of mine-who passed through :
recently"
Lieutenant March came to the rescue. J.
lie produced his tobacco pouch. and the q
olonel thereupOn supplied us with corn
oh pipes. When we had finished our