The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-20
MY MOVING TENTS.
Mrs. Sue F. Dromgoole Mooney.
 Extracts from Chapter xxIV.)

fC oSOAC
 (Extracts from Chapter xxIV) Tn Athens and Across the River.
 I think may safely say that saw every side of the war, except the bright
 side, and my tent was so often moved
 that I sometimes did not know where 1t
 would be the next. Yet there was always A bright light in the cloud. Notwith- standing the sad surroundings and tho
 enormous draughts upon faith. hope and
 courage, the great Southern heart beat
 warm. and the milk of human kindness flowed freely.
 The Tennessee Conference, which met at Cornersville, appointed MT. Mooney to the Athens Station. but, as travel and all mail communications were greatly inter-
 rupted, some time passed before he learned of his appointment.
 May came, and with 1t MT. Mooney, and once again the tent moved. The way seemed safe, and soon we were in Attn ems and delightfully."- dorniciled with Mrs. Judge Coleman and her family. Miss Mat tie and Masters Frank and Ruffin. Alas,
 no sooner did we indulge in the pleasing
 sense of security than large force of
 Federals compelled another moving of
 tents. Somerville. four miles across the
 Tennessee River. became the city of
 refuge for many 'Athenians. The fami-
 lies of Dr. James L. Coleman and Mir. Mooney were encamped for some time in the Institute. not far from the Meth
 odist Church.
 pr. Coleman's family, Miss Sallie Les ter. myself and the servants. remained in Somerville till a few days after the battle of Chickamauga, when the Doctor decided to return to Athens to be near his mother and the family in the time of deeper trou- ble that he saw so surely coming. So, again we recrossed the Tennessee. and enacmped for the time In Athens. I was glad the Doctor went, for sore sorrow awaited the mother, in the news that her beloved son, Richard, was among the dead at Chickamauga- It devolved on me to be the messenger, and my eyes still
 overflow when I recall the scene in that stricken home. John and Richard both
 gone! O. God, how can I stand itl'' Thus in Ramah was there voice heard,
 weeping and lamentation.'' Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted, ''because they are not. :"
 Many time has April wept upon their graves since that day, but all through the South the mothers cry is still: 70, God. how can stand its'
 We were just little in advance of the Yankees who pitched their tents in Mrs. Coleman's grove, near to the house, and within a few yards of my window. To
 be more quiet at the earnest request of Mrs. Rebeca Hobbs. of precious memory. I moved my tent into town. into her own pleasant home. where 1t seemed that for a time we might abide in peace. Delus- i've dreaml On the morning of December l7 she and Ter husband, Ira Hobbs, a
 devout Virginia Methodist, were ordered
 out of the lines, and was again home
 less. not knowing what to do nor where to pitch my tent. The morning came, one of the most dis
 nal I have ever seen-snow. slush, mud, leaden sky. A number of friends gath cred in to tell the old people good bye, and along came the sergeant to receive the keys of the house.
 The old people were greatly loved, and there was much weeping as they went around speaking words of comfort to their companions, whom in all probabil- ity they should not see again.
 The tension was extreme. when unex- pectedly an incident occurred which re- lieved the situation and my overwrougEt feiings.
 The sergeant sat in front of the fire.
 I sat to his right fin the corner. and op-
 posite me fin the cornet sat Sister Martha
 Frasier, daughter of John Wiche of Vir- ginia. She was a most devoted friend of
 Mrs. Hobbs. She was small, with auburn hair, blue eyes, very emotional, and her
 emotion was full. free, flowing. In vain
 she tried to dry her eyes with constant applications of her apron. A fresh foun-
 tain was continually opened. She OMrs. Frasier) was the last in line, and the leave-taking was most affectionate and affecting.
 Mrs. Hobbs passing directly to the ser geant and, carrying her key basket after the manner of Virginia housekeepers, on
 her arm, handed him the keys, saying: Personally, sir, I have no i'll will to- ward you, and hope to meet you in ! heaven!"
 Sister Frasier, overcome with weeping. | had not heard the wish. but just as 1t
 was uttered she exclaimed, q am glad there is a country where the invader can never come!'
 I gave way to uncomfortable laughter,
 sad as the situation was, while the poor
 soldier looked unutterable things as he
 reluctantly received the keys.
 Extremity Is opportunity. The meeting
 broke up. Not seeing the the opportunity,
 but realizing the necessity, I said to the officer: "I alone am left in this house
 with my little ones and their nurse; I must beg of you a conveyance, an army
 wagon or something of the sort for my | trunks and the nurse; can get horse, buggy and driver for myself and the chill
 dren. We are ready to go. trunks all
 packed. should be so glad if you | would"
 He most graciously granted the request.
 and soon we were on our way to Dr. Cole
 mans, just outside the picket post.
 had not thought of this dilemma till I
 saw the picket coming from our right. ! I toId the boy to drive a little faster while lifted up my folded handkerchief
 after the style of a pass. I knew he could
 not possible get through the picket mud till we were beyond, and seeing the
 United States wagon following. he could not be charged with neglect of duty. | We we just drove on. We were not ex- pected. but received a warm welcome. (End of Chapter xxIV) ] German Baroness Discusses Servants | Baroness won Oertzen-Barber is pres l