The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-11-16

the mansion was opened by the matron
and on her coming out / arose, and, po-
litely saluting her, courteously ventured
the hope that she would not get alarmed
by the presence of our troops I'm the
vicinity; that herself and household
were in no danger whatever, and that
her property would be protected. She
acknowledged my presence by such a
frigfd stare that could feel the cold
chills running down my back, and when
she began to. speak in cutting and de-
risive tones OF "Old Abe Lincoln and
the black-mouthed Abolitionists Of the
North and Of the total destruction she
hoped would overtake the Union army,
began to feel that the kindness grant
ed by our commander in placing a safe
guard on that plantation was sympathy
wasted. Finally she relieved me Of her
lofty presence by going inside and dou-
ble-locking the door. All during that
night sat on those steps, my senses
being alert to the slightest sound, and
1T was relief when observed the first
tinge In the eastern sky which be-
tokened the approach Of dawn. Shortly
after the faint notes Of bugle sound
ing the reyeille came floating through
the air. and feeling a little chilly and
stiff after my nights vigil, picked up
my rifle and began an inspection Of the
premises. ! first went TO the barn, and
finding everything all right there, and
no person In sight, started down to the
spring-house to get drink Of water.
Just as reached the door was startled
by scream OF fright, and, peering in,
discovered an old colOred woman on her
knees in an agony Of fear, who be-
seechingly prayed that / should not
harm her. I had heard 1t said that
some of the Southern planters used to
tell their slaves that the Yankees were
a demoniacal race Of people. who had
horns, hoofs and tails; and evidently
this old lady had heard some OF those
terrifying statements, for 1t was some
time before I could assure her she was
safe from harm. After convincing her
that we were not the devils we had
been painted. but ordinary human be-
ipgs. with a desire to proclaim and pro-
duce liberty throughout the land, and
knock OFF the letters Of slavery, the old
auntie beamed with gladness and pleas
ure. She had come to the spring house
for the mornings supply Of milk and
butter, which was stored on a side shelf
to keep cool. At my request for a drink
OF milk, she handed me q pitcher Of
that delicious fluid, which / have always
thought was the best ever tasted. 1t
was rich and creamy and cold, and I
hardly stopped to take breath until I
had emptted the pitcher. 1t was a nee
tar At for the gods. II you ever want
to taste a real good glass OF milk, get
AiCC dhO COtu OUT VI d CLOCK III a
Southern spring-house. I gave the old
auntte, who was the cook at the man.
sion, liberal supply of "sure enough
coffee" an article that was a great rar-
ity I'm the Confederacy just then, and
she said: "Jes' yo' wait till go get yo'
sum breakfuss." Picking up her milk
and butter, she returned to the house.
After had bathed my face and hands
In the limpid waters Of the little creek
below the spring I felt SO greatly re-
freshed that the loss Of nights sleep
did not seem to be a great hardship.
After complete round Of the premises,
and finding everything secure, / was
returning to my post on the piazza
when the old cook intercepted me and
invited me into the kitchen, where she
had an appetizing breakfast prepared
Corn pone, bacon and eggs, fried chick
eli, wheat cakes, sorghum molasses and
q pot OF coffee were placed before me.
and to say that did ample justice to ii
would not at all express the situation
1t fingers In my memory yet. dream
OF 1t oftentimes, and although over 40
years have passed since then, / do not
think / have eaten a meal in all that
time that relished as much as I did
that breakfast prepared for me by that
old colored auntie in Virginia. I had
barely returned to my post, satisfied
with the world, when an orderly rode
up and delivered me an order to rejoin
my regiment; Hastily singing my
knapsack and bidding "old auntie'
eood-by, shouldered my rife and
started down the road In search OF my
regiment, which found resting on the
roadside about six miles away, three
hours later. I never had an opportuni-
ty OF visiting that Virginia mansion
again. but have often wondered whethe,
that old matron and her daughter are
still living, and II they have changed
their opinions regarding tho Union, OF
do they still worship the Lost Cause7
! Another saucy little rebel maiden thai
1 I encountered lived at Farmville. Va
She was q pretty, curIy-headed bru.
nette, but she had no love Tor Uncle