The National tribune., 1902-07-24

impressive and melancholy sight which
they studied. The FIRE had burned a long
swath through the very heart of the little
city. The main street for a mile and
half in length and from quarter to q
haf-mile in width was n stretch of smol-
dcring ruins. About 1.3O0 buildings were
gone. and substantially everyone of prom
inence in Columbia. The people, white
and black. were wandering about, gazing
dumby upon the fallen walls. the charred
timbers and the smoking fires. Many
We're searching. where IT was cool enough,
for something worth saving. Beyond the
zone of devastation troops were blithely
marching, with tife and drum, to various
points of concentration. or to take their
places in the march. utterly Indifferent to
the ruin of the Cradle Of Secession, or re-
joicing in its destruction.
! 81 came to the house which had been
the woman's home. and they stopped to
look at it. and see If there was anything
to save and send to her. There were I'M
burned some clothing. dishes. and other
poor belongings. and 81 looked around to
find some negroes to carry them to the
boat.
| y wo-begone rebel soldier came up. with
weak and halting steps. and stopping in
| front of the blasted home caZed on il with
an expression of the deepest misery.
20. my poor wife and children" he
groaned. with tears running down his
tHtthS- Will DetpIit pI
| Was this your house," 81 asked, SYM
pathetically.
| Yes, indeed answered the man. Il
left them here when / was conscripted,
and | don't know how in Gods name they
| have lived since then. for | had nothin' to
send them. an they WIZ ameng strangers.
| used to worry myself plum sick over
them. I'd come up from Charleston to
work in the paper mills jest afore the war
broke ont. and put them in that thar
house. The conscripters TUX me away
from home awhile afore my baby was
born. an | hain't never seen her. | was
wounded on the Salkehatchie. an sent to
the hospital jest outside o Columby I
hain't rayly able to walk yit. but las
night jest couldn't stand it. an | started
to come into town. But whar in Gods
names my wife an children
Your wife and children are all right"
said 81. They are safe and well-fed
You look over those things there, and see
what You want. and Iii have some OF
those negroes bring them down to where
your wife is
After the man had gathered up his be-
longings. and n couple of negroes had been
started with them. Shorty put his hand
under the mans arm. and they helped
him back to the landing.
| While the reunion was going on be-
tween husband and family. 81 and the rest
looked around to see that there was an
abundant supply of food on the boat
They all gathered up their own things
and went ashore.
Now said ST to the man. by way Of
parting. that boat and all that's in her is
yours, and honestly yours. We didn't
steal a single thing in it. We rescued
them from the fire and from those who
were stealing. YOu can make what terms
You please with the owners. if you find
any of them. There's whole lot of pro-
visions on there for you and your family.
My advice to you is to cut that boat loose,
| and float down in her TO your old home in
Charleston. Go. and good lnck to YOU
Ito be continued.)