The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-09-26

was perched upon thes branch of tree,
squatting upon his launches, eating some
corn-cake, which he adexterously extract
ed from his pocket while in that position.
When he came down. he remained seated
at the bottom for moment, and then,
with an extraordinary effort, sprang from
the ground, and clutching branch more
than II feet above him adroitly swung
| himself up into the tree. When we saw
the old man we said,
That's a smart boy Of yours"
Smart? Yes. he's smart! too smart!
too smart" was the old mans reply, at
the same time directing our attention to
heap of some 10 or II corncobs which
the youngster had just polished off for
! his lunch, not exactly to the old mans
satisfaction. We stuck a greenback high
up on a pine, close by, for the boy, and
rode away. On looking round, ere we
| had gone far, to our surprise he was upon
our horses launches, examining the note
attentively. Upon seeing our astonished
look he sprang to the ground and bound
ed away. Many of the officers saw much
more Of his gymnastic feats, and ex-
pressed their establishment at the drollery
of his antics. That boy reminded us very
much of Barnnm's What is it, only he
was more So"
We turned our horses head in the di-
rectiOn of a large slate-colored house,
about a quarter of a mile distant. Ar
irving there, we asked a colored man we
met at the gate if we could get a drink
of milk. "Yas," he answered; and open
ing the gate we passed in.
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.
Going up the gravel pathway, we came
upon a fne-looking, stout old gentleman,
who bowed to us with the stately cOur-
tesy of the old school. Learning our
wishes, he preceded US to wing of the
mansion, and putting his face to an open
window shouted, Sally, milk for the gen
| tlemen." In a moment Sally "a very
comely-lOOking young colored woman
appeared with the milk, which we took
and drank, and were about to return the
mug when, behind the pleasant face of
Sally, at the open window, we saw the
faces of three ladies, who seemed to gaze
upon US with much cOmplacency-Or else
twas our conceit that led us to think So
man bawled out, my sisters, sirl my
sistersw Again we bowed, somewhat as
tonished at the gruffness of the old gem
tleman. The ladies asked US to dismount
"a request we were not slow in obey
ing; for a vision of warm rolls, bright
yellow butter and new milk passed before
us, completely eclipsing the frugal fare
of camp. The old gentleman seemed
highly pleased when we dsmounted, and
rubbing his hands gleefully ushered us
into a neat, cool and comfortable parlOr,
taStefully arranged.
We found the ladies very well informed
ard, without flattery, very pretty-we
won't say beautiful. They seemed to re-
gard the old gentleman with peculiar af-
lection, intermingled with considerable
anxiety, the reason of which for some
time we could not ascertain. After some
conversation he introduced the subject of
the present rebellion.
We had always made it a point never
to discuss the subject with a rebel, or res
iGent in any evacuated country; and in
this case scarcely replied to him. making
every possible effort to divert the CONVEX
sation into some other channel. Happen
ing, unwittingly, to quote a line from
Shakspere, the old gentleman started
from his seat, throwing back the scanty
hair from his forehead, and assuming an
erect, defiant attitude, began
Either thou wilt die. by Gods just ordi-
nance,
Ere from this war thou turn a conqueror,
Or | with grief and extreme age shall perish
And never look upon thy face az in.
Therefore, take with thee my most heavy
curse,
Which, in the day of battle, tire thee more
Than all the complete armor that thou wear
esti
Ny prayers on the adverse party fight;
And then the little souls of Edwards children
Whip the spirit of their enemies,
And promise them success and victory.
Bloody thou art. bloody will be thy end:
Shame serves thy life, and will they death
attend"
We gazed at him with establishment,
nor could scarcely understand the mean
ing of his defamation. Finally, having
run through Il variety of quotations from
Richard, he paused; his eyes filed with
strange light, and wiping his brow with
his handkerchief he sat down and looked