The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1905-03-22

that we had brought from the plan.
tation.
AS it was on Saturday that we came
down all of our things had to be left
in the station until Monday, and then
when Quash went for them he found
that the military gentry (?) had taken
from among them whatever they want
ed.
All the furniture that we found in
the house was an old table and very
large book ease and my only bed thus
far has been mosquito net spread on
The floor
On Sunday afternoon mother and
Aunt May went to sec Cousin NJ,
who is very i'll, and while Annie and l
remained with Aunt Anna, who was
resting On her mattress on the floor,
Rachel came rushing up stairs, say
ing, "Oh, mam, some officers say they
want this house and have come to take
it; they are coming up into the dining
room now.
at once said, "we must go down
and meet them," aud calling to Annio
to put the few spoons that were out
at once in her pocket, we each gave
Aunt Anna an arm and went down,
followed by Rachel.
| must say felt much agitated at
the thought Of what we might en-
counter, and dreaded for our old aun:,
who seemed much unncrved.
AS we entered the dining room by
one door a naval officer came in by the
other, advancing with calm air Of
possession.
| was just going to speak when
Aunt Anna astounded US by saying, in
the kindest tones: "Why Edmund! /!
how is your mother"
We thought her bereft of reason,
but the effect upon the officer was in
simultaneously overwhelming. He
staggered and exolaimed: GOOD God
Miss ], is it ynu2 You shall not
be molestcd,' and turning quickly,
left the hcHSo without giving her
chance to say another word.
1t ssems that Aunt Anna had in
stantly recognized him as the son of
an old and dear friend in Now York,
and upon the return of mother aud
Aunt May the unlocked for OCCUR
rence was fully discussed.
Aunt was much commended for re-
cogniSing him and we hope that her
recognition will stand US in good
stead, as we know that Lieut.. Henry
is gentleman, and on account Of the
warm friendship that has existed for
80 many years between our old aunts
and the elder members Of his family
he will probably use any influence he
may have with the authorities in our
favor.
The next day another naval officer
called ct che house and asked to see
mother, whom he told he had had
the pleasure, previous to the war, Of
serving with those of our family WHO
were then in the navy, aud although
he had been iblookading Charleston
for many months ho bad promised our
cousin, Lieut.. Fairfax, who remained
in the United States navy, that if he
ever got into Charleston be would
look US up, and gladly do what he
could to help US.
Mother felt that in our present de.
fenceless condition sho should not re-
fuse any offers Of aid and thanked
him. He then produced a copy of q
morning paper, which contained gen.
eral order that any citizen who de-
sired protection must put United
States flag on his house, and that no
outrages would be punished that were
committed on premises that did not
contain suoh flags.
After reading this order he drew
from his pocket small flag, which he
he said, with our permission he would
tack to the piazza.
Mother politely declined his offer,
but our aunts made such point of
the advisability of accepting it that
she was induced to yield. He then
asked me to hold the little staff while
he tackled it to the post, but T could
not touch IL aud called to his assist
anoe little negro girl. as more ap-
propriate, who stood staring in at the
gate, and she held it for him.
Annie looked on quietly and said
nothing, but at mig ght, after We were
gone 60 bed, said, II can not sssnd it.
I cannot breathe with that flag there
She only expressed my own Feelings,