The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-03-20

when dressed TOT tne uay
satin gown with "clear starcnea
muslin neckerchief crossed over ner
bosom and close white cap TIED
under her chin in the style OF the ira
ditionaI New England grandmother.
In 1871, when General Washington
spent night in Frederick at a hos
telry known then as "Mrs. Kimbairs
Tavern" Barbara Frietchie, knowing
the condition of the good landlady's
delft, brought her own best Liverpool
china to grace the occasion. and tnen
reverently put away the coffee-pot, cup
saucer and plates which we're used py
the distinguished guest as articles
too sacred for other use Thereafter
than to adorn shrine. AT the sham
funeral Of the great president, eight
years after, she was one Of the pail
bearers.
Her married life was not OF long
duration, and her first serlous trouble
grew out OF her patriotic devotion TO
the union. Her husband, in his viii,
had made one Of his nephews his ex-
ecutor. This nephew turned out TO
be later what Dame Barbara called
'an arrant rebel" Every time that
she received her dividends from him
they had some sharp words, and as
she wished to live In peace she went
to an old friend of her husband and
begged him to take her power OF at
torney and receive her money from
her husbands executor. He did so,
but previously to the beginning OF
the civil war he had a stroke OF par
alysis which rendered his right arm
powerless. His son, Hon. Lewis
Steiner, Of the Maryland senate re-
ferred to in Mr.. Whittier's letter, had
been for many years abroad at col
lege. At the period of his return he
knew but little Of the elderly townfolk
of Frederick. Said his father one
day, Lewis, | have some money to
pay to Frau Frietchie. Make out
receipt for her to sign"
Now the title Frau" Frietchie sug-
gested to the travelled gentleman one
of the old German women whom he
had seen hoeing in their gardens and
fields in Germany, and whom he knew
to be as ignorant OF letters as the
gentle kline under their care. Asking
no questions. he made out the receipt
and signed 1t in such a way as TO
leave room for the frau" to make
her mark" When his father ushered
him into the presence OF the black
satin gown and smoothly starched
neckerchief. he was surprised, but
his heart did not fail him. He cour-
teously presented the pen. Barbara
Frietchie adjusted her spectacles and
looked at the signature. BLESS you.
honey, / wrote my name as well as
that before you we're bornl" she ex-
claimed; then, drawing a line through
his signature. she wrote her name.
Although one Of the most loyal and
bravest of women, she did not wave
her flag to the Confederate army. nor
was the storied threat OF the grand
hero. Stonewall Jackson
Who touches a hair Of yon gray head
Dies like dog! March oni"
ever made, for the simple reason that
during the rapid march Of the Con-
federate army in leaving the city Of
Frederick It did not pass within three
squares of her house. But while the
army remained there. after having
taken possession, and after every
Union flag was ordered to be hauled
down and replaced by the Stars and
Bars" she persisted In fiinglng her
most precious legacy, her fathers old
Revolutionary flag, from her dormer
window.
take 1t In, Aunt Barbara. You
win assuredly lose It," said her fam
lily.
Finally, but most reluctantly, she
did so, hiding the creased. torn, but
sacred symbol between the leaves OF
her family Bible. remarlxing as she
did SO, There is the last place a
rebel against his country viii care
to CO."
General Lee occupied the city for
three days, during which thousands
OF his army swarmed like locusts
everywhere. They we're a travel
worn. lean, hungry army, as whole,
at that time, and 1t was the policy OF
the union-loving folk OF Frederick to
treat them as deferentially as posi-
BILE under the circumstances. Not 50
Dame Barbara. With her there was
but one way, and that the straight
forward one. Finding her porch full
Of southern soldiers, who we're loung-
ing there and enjoying their stale
crumbs Of comfort regardless of its
cleanliness. she stepped to her door.
raised her gold-headed cane, and -four.
ishing 1t, said more forcIbly than ele-
gantly:
''Begone, you lazy pack!"
To the credit Of the innate chivalry
Of those sons Of the South be Il said
they instantly obeyed without an In
sulting word.
When after two days General Nc.
Clellan at the head Of his army en-.
tered the city she was overjoyed and
stood at the door waving her dear old
flag From her extreme age ana
venerable appearance she attracted
much attention. Officers and man