The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-04-07

that we were mere sight-seers,
pointed somewhere in the distance
and said: There is where old Jeff
Davis was in prison." Indignant as
we were to hear this beloved nam
so profanely spoken, we took no no
tice O" it, but / can see now the GRIM
son flush that rose to my mothers
cheeks as a moment later she turn
ed to him, and, with head erect, said:
"Where did you say that President
Davis was imprisoned?" The man
evidently caught the humor Of the
situation, for he laughed heartily and
again pointed out the spot.
The first house we entered after
arriving at the fort was that of DR..
Craven, whose kindness to President
Davis should never be forgotten by
any southern heart.
Mrs. Craven was entertaining a
party of ladies in the parlor, and as
we entered we recognized at once
our own parlor carpet on the floor.
Nv sister impulsively cried, "Why,
here is our carpet" Then, begging
Mrs. Craven's pardon, she explained
the situation to her, and on giving
our authority for the search, we were
assured that the carpet would be re-
stored to us. 1t was there when they
took possession of the house, and they
knew nothing Of it's ownership. 1t
was sent to us without delay.
While here I CHANGED to mention
that a Capt. McEwan had shown us
some favor-I do not recall just what
it was-when one of the ladies ex-
claimed: "Poor Capt. McEwan"
and | knew from her tone that the
Walls of Gen. Miles wrath would be
poured on the head of "poor Capt.
McEwan" for daring to show us even
so slight a courtesy. I fancy that
the generals official household often
found that life was not "all bear and
skittles."
But still the piano, that ignis fat
Jus, while seemingly within u
grasp, would vanish away at our ap-
proach, for every obstacle was placed
in the way of Our obtaining or even
seeing it. We knew beyond a doubt
that it was in Gen. Miles possession
but although we went armed with the
order from the president, and having
the list of missing articles which was
furnished us at the quartermaster's
department., on one pretext or anoth-
er we were turned away empty-hand-
ed.
Once, after what seemed g most
convincing identification, we return
ed home full of hope that in a few
DAYS we should see the full fruition
of our labors, only to be followed by
an official notification from Gen.
Miles that the piano had been claim
ed by another party, and that when
definite (spelt definate) claims had
been established the matter would be
attended to. U~ndismayed> we wrote
and asked the name and residence OF
the claimant. The name was with
held. but Alexandra was given as the
place of residence. Our next move
was to the quartermaster in Norfolk,
from whom we received the informa-
ton that the piano was sent
to Gen. Butler from Ports
mouth, thus entirely d%isproving
the claim OF the party from Alexan-
dria, if any really had been made.
Surely, now, nothing could be be-
tween me and my coverted piano.
1t was a clear, bright December
day when we again started on our
quest. The trip to Portsmouth to
Old Point was quickly made, and as
we passed from house to house with
in the fort, we saw everywhere hap
pv preparations for the Christmas SO
near at hand. The crimson berries
and glossy leaves of the holly, the
fragrant pine and the spicy cedar
were everywhere i'll evidence. and as