Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-17
earthly feast for those who might. ere
long, pnrtake of hcuycnlx fnnd

earthly FEAST FOR those who m! ght ere
Ions. pnrtake Of heavenly food.
Finery. laid away until after the war
was cxhufncd. old laces and lowered
stun. fans and combs. Hoop skirts
were In vogue. the bigger the better
and lacking those of steei--thc young
ladies' made hoops Of bamboo and viii.
low withcs: they must tilt. and sway
and swing against the worn gray OF
the honorcd guests. Fashion had power
even when the cannon roared and brave
men fell.
So off to the party the county went
I'm all the fnery it could command
with every dclicacy the worn plunta-
ton could afford. The pleasure
started after dark. and the old gentle
men. however unwilling. had TO escort
! them. Several black tiddlers, supple
rnented by the county ladies. who could
play on the piano, would furnish the
music: and the big dri awning room was
cleared for dancing. The long table in
the basement dining room was COW
cred with contributions. The sucking
pig stood bravcly at the head Of the
liable with Il red apple in his mouth; the
succulent "turkey-cock' faced him
Ham and fried chicken, pies. cakes and
jellies held their respective places
might have TO eat and run. but that
they would be forced to run before
they ate seemed not TO cross a single
mind.
The lately wounded. the sick. and the
scOuts-so confident and young-had
come stealthily from the woods by the
garden, and stolen in the back way
the front OF The house was guarded by
faithful negroes. the outer gates lock ed.
The younger ladies were before the
mirrors applying little starch before
they went out. The older ladies were
downstairs putting fnish.m= touches to
the table.
There was Il sound of rcvelry' with
in, and signals Of danger without-thc
swift beat ~ the feet of nfty horses.
What is that" was the quick
query.
The Yankees" the ghastly answer.
The young ladies stopped "apowder-
ing and ''prmping." The older la
dies. in moment. became panic
srickn. The ciink of spur and clank
OF sabcr sounded over the bare floors.
ana the convalescents and scouts
ANONYMOUSLY scampcred.
Mr. s. put the younges, soldier
boy between the feather bed and mat
N''7S Va !iiS own !OuF poster, ana Il
sitrn-faced matron suddenly assumed
the role Of invalid between the sheets
She resisted the invader. and the SOL
der boy was not captured.
Mr. B crawled under the plano.
and the young ladies in crinoline stood
thickly around; but Mr.. Yankee was
not easily fooled. lie politely asked
the ladies TO remove themselves. and
then. with provoking jocosity. asked
Johnny Rcb, TO give him a tom
Joining" Of course. became prisoner
N war. One young Confederate mir
acuiously escaped to the woods, but the
rest, every mothers son Of them, were
taken prisoners. and the s~cethca-ts
walled and revealed their secrets in
tears.
one desperate dansel IN white
hornces and wreathcs begged spin
ster 70 comfort her. Comfort me-. COM
fort me. Mary" she cried. And MARY.
avevse TO deceit upon any occasion. re-
piled Il can't; have had 40 expert
cuce."
The Yankees" did no, stop with the
soldiers. They made prisoners Of the
old men and the boys one old planter
bewailed his fate vociccrously -
Gentlemen" he said. I'm nothing
but a poor OLD farmer. a,c.et nv
daughters not to conc. hut they would. |
told them The Id Yankees would .
catch US all. ana the; would not listen