Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-04-01
PLAYING A
PART
A Story of the War Be.
tween the States
By F. A. mitchell

opened we were a contented family
living on our plantation not far from
Nashville. on the south side of the
Cumberland river. l was then girl of
twenty and had been at boarding
school In Ohio. Our circle consisted of
father, mother. my two brothers, Clar-
ence and Arthur. myself and Clarice.
When say that Clarice was a slave
1t may appear remarkable that l should
speak of her as one of our family circle.
In the first place. she had so little
negro blood In her veins that no one
would have known from her appear
ance that she had any at ALL Her skin
was fair; her hair was light, with a
tinge of red In it; her eyes were dark.
The occupation of Nashville by the
Federal troops in the spring of 1862
was different from that of any other
of our cities. 1t was at the beginning
of the struggle, and most of the south
ern people believed that when the Yam
KEGS came down upon us they would
come with fire and sword. The conse-
quence was that when 1t was known
they were advancing upon us from
Bowling Green. KY, and coming up
the Cumberland river our people began
to make preparations for fight. The
night before the evacuation Of the city
every luxury In the way of eatables
and drinkables was consumed. In ev-
cry house where there were such lux
uries were parties feasting and drink
ing. On that night there wars SIM
gular mixture In Nashville of terror.
sacrifice and conviviality.
The next morning the mayor crossed
the Cumberland and surrendered the
city to the Federal commander ad-
vancing from Bowling Green. We had
| packed all our valuables-we had no
transport for the heavier artlcles-and
went to a plantation of my mothers
brother some twenty miles to the
southwark. Having been at school In
the north. l knew something Of the
northern people and did not believe
that we should all be put to the sword.
/ wished to remain in the house, be-
lieving that my presence there would
be a protection. But mother would
not hear OF such a thing. She said
! the house might be burned to the
ground rather than that l should ex-
| pose myself to lot of vandals
| We had got well started on our jour
ney when some one asked. Where is
| ClariceT / supposed she was in an
! other conveyance than mine, but she
was not She had done what | had
! wished to do-remained in the house.
81, 20 To
| turn back, so 1t was decided by
mother, who was director general of
our hegira-my father and brothers
being away In the army under General
Albert Sidney Johnstou-that if Clarice
insisted on being murdered 1t could
not be helped So we pursued our jour-
ney to my uncle's plantation.
l was very much chagrined that
Clarice had taken the risk-if indeed
there were any risk In what she had
done-that l proposed to take myself.
/ did not for moment believe that
she would remain at home for the
purpose of falling into the hands Of
the Yankees In order to get her free
dom, for she could have had it for
the asking at any time. | felt sure
that she had remained to do what she
could for the preservation OF the place
After a few days, not hearing that
those few persons who had awaited
the coming OF the enemy had been
put to the sword. | determined to go
back and see what was the condition
of our abandoned home. So without
saying anything to mother or any one
else told one of the servants to sad
die my horse. and l started up the road
for our plantation
A few miles ride brought me to the
Federal pickets. and on stating that |
wished to return to my home | was
permitted to pass. 1 found the yard
occupied with tents and sentinels pac-
ing about the house. | was riding up
to the front porch and saw Clarice
come running down the steps and to-
ward me. drew rein, thinking she
might wish to see me alone. and she
did. | was surprised to see her in one
of my best dresses and wearing some
of my ornaments.
Don't come any farther till l tell
you," she said. THE house has been
taken for the headquarters Of one of
the generals. thought that II made
him believe | was one of the family
and not a servant 1t would help me to
induce him to protect the place. He is
doing everything | ask him. He even
stopped the men from using the fur
naces for fires. But your coming Is
going to break me all up. What shall
we doT'
thought few moments before re-
plying. Should turn back and leave
her to play her game! preferred to
remain.
~ tell you what We'll do, Clarice
You know I'm very dark skinned. |
can pass for an octoroon. Ill be maid
and leave you to go on playing mis-
tress."