The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-13

rolled and was trying to get across the
river before night. He had the apathy
that comes to one who thinks the end Of
all things has come. He was in search
OF his family that he had not seen since
entering the army; they lived in some
indefinite spot in the present Elmore
county. He was impatient to go forward
on his quest, but she detained him long
enough to burden him with generous
lunch which he would not stop to eat.
So she ministered to all who needed, try
ing thus to ease the agony of apprehen-
sion as to what was happening to her
own. From the Goth of March to the 18th
of May 1865, she knew not IL her hus-
band were living. Easter Sabbath of 1865,
early in the morning of that day, Mrs.
Ware was Weakened by the whistle of
boat. She somewhat bitterly thought. 1T
only brings some one else's soldier back
to her." Then she strove to shut her
mind to rebellious thoughts and prayed
for faith and strength for whatever was
In store for her. So occupied, she was
startled by noise in the room. Opening
her eyes she beheld her husband bending
over her. Safe and sound. And he had
brought eleven comrades home with him.
Housewifely care and diplomacy now re-
placed her rejoicings. How In the world
was she to feed twelve hearty, hungry
men? scant peck of meal and few
eggs from a few hens hitherto too sacred
to kill composed her larder. Consulta-
ton with the faithful George and his
wife resulted in a good dinner. though 1t
involved the spending of the very last
dollar that Mrs. Ware possessed She
explained to the grumbling negroes. over
the sacrifice of two of the precious hens
and the reckless dissipation of their cash,
that 1.-THE ravens would feed them, and
it was nothing but duty Ito XIII the
fatted calf" George was inclined to be
scornful concerning dem crows what
you calls ravens" and doubted the Wis
dom of having invested nearly all thei.
wealth In de tuffest beef ever went on
marster's table, He failed to see where
dat fatted calf come in" though he was
willing to tell lie or two for the credit
of the family 'if twas any use.
When asked by her husband II there
was any money in the house by which his
comrades could be helped on their home
ward way, Mrs. Ware was forced 10 con-
fess their true condition. but with tears
and laughter she assured the discour-
aged men that they would all be fed and
sent on their way "somehow'-she knew
not Gods way, but. had they not been
taken care of all these terrible years? 1t
proved true, for neighbors shared their
scanty store and means came from
somewhere" to send the men forward
to their homes without money and with
out price"
''If by reason OF strength the days be
three-score and ten Is truly applicable
to that mother in the Confederacy,"
Mrs. Augusta Bellinger Cheyney. Her
ewes grew bright and her words were full
of that ancent spirit as she talked OF
those days that tried the metal Of the
women Of the confederacy.
When asked if she saw the coming OF
Wilson's raiders she replied that She
could have seen her country's enemy had
size so desired but she didn't: there they
were-thousands an thousands of them
at the end of her street (Amanda). going
on down into the town; but she didn't
want to see them. One of Mrs. Cheyney' $
daughters lauchingly remarked that she
believed her mother was the champion
xnttel of the Confederacy. She not only
knitted day and ni9ht herself, but she let
no one rest with idle hands Knit while
you rest was truly her motto.
Another woman whose zeal knew no
bounds was Mrs Anne MaeIntyre She
sewed and knitted and nursed joining
her friend, Mrs Sarah Belinger. in the
care of the soldiers . t Soldiers Home, on
Bellinger Heiehts. Her home. just across
on the southwest hill from the Home
paid its daily tribute of fresh fruits. veg
etables, milk and every delicacy known
to the typical southern home in that day.
Finally. when reverse after reverse had
sent the credit of the declining Confed-
eracy almost to zero. this devoted woman
Joined her son in giving their entire for
tune to the Confederacy. EVERY cent
they could raise IN gold. by selling and
mortgaging everything they Jointly pos,
sessed-not even the roof over her de-
voted did she reserve. In this manner
100000 in gold was realized. This was
invested In Confederate bonds when there