Year: 1876

Johns wife and myself existed nc
sympathy and no love.


And truly ere long this was what
we all felt, in more or less degree
all save ohn Conyers, whose love
could see no defect or deficiency in
his lady wife. Yet was she proud and
cold hearted; and I could see, de-
spite her studied civility, that she die
look down upon us plain colonial
folk, contrasting US doubtless with
the titled and noble Of her own land,
with whom she had been wont to con-
sort. And yet she was herself, as we
knew, but a distant kins- woman oI
the noble family of Tempest, a poor
but worthy curate's daughter. who
had once been governcss in the fami-
ly OF an earl; so that she might with
more seemliness have congratulated
herself upon her alliance with one OF
John Conyers' standing and prospec-
tive fortune-his father, my uncle,
being wealthy in worlds goods, and
John his only son; To say naught OF
the true nobility which he did bear
within himself. and which neither
wealth nor worldly honor could pur-
chase


1t was about this time that MUIR
murs against his Majesty King
George the Third arose in the colon
les; and it was in the year following
that, as history showeth, the troubles
with England did commence, though
of these shall here make no men,
ton, save as concerneth this present
narrative. need not say that on the
first uprising OF the colonists, John
Conyers, as did become a true Vir-
ginia gentleman in whose veins ran
the noble and loyal blood of the Cav
alters, was one OF the first TO draw his
sword in defense of his country. And
when the news came OF the landing
of the British troops on our shores.
Colonel Conyers did straightway go
forth to meet them at the head OF
such a number OF men, both gentle
men and lowly born, though all equal
ly earnest in the cause, as was u
goodly sight to behold. And this
did he against the will and wishes of
his lady, who would fain have per-
sua'ied him tnat to resist tyranny
was rebellion, and that to defend
ones oppressed country was the
crime Of traitor | had well seen
from the first that this difference Of
his lady's opinion from his own did
sorely grieve John Conyers. as also
vex his father, my honored uncle, and
that thenceforth Mistress Abigail was
looked coldly upon by some OF the
families of Norfolk borough, whom
she had herself affected to regard
haughtily.


And now come to tho more i'm
mediate matter OF my narrative.


The war DeGwccn AmcIrcs, and Eng
land had already lasted six years. 1t
was now in the year 1871. when the
pressed our army back into Virginia,
aud were following up, and threaten
ing Norfolk. Yorktown, and the sur
rounding country. General George
Washington, our great and beloved
commander-in-ch chief, had left his ar
my near Yorktown, and was come
down to Norfolk with intent to sur
vey the position and defenses OF that
part Of the country; and he, ut the
entreaty of my uncle, did agree to
take up his abode at our house dur
ing those few days. My cousin, Col
onel John Conyers, was thereupon re-
called, and as one well acquainted
with the country. and with the mat
ters OF Notifications. engineering. and
the like-beside that he was held in
great trust and favor by the general
for his bravery and just judgment =
was appointed to attend upon and
consult with the general. And daily
did these two ride forth, with others
{ accompanying, and return mud-stain-
ed and tOil-w0rn. yet seeming never
weary, to be shut up long hours with
charts and papers in the generals
room, whereunto were none adm tilted
save those expressly sanctioned by
the general himself; and OF these
some were officers and gentlemen of
high degree, and some others were
ragged and uncouth figures, peddlers
and the like-such as i, catching an
occasional glimpse of whom, wond.r-
ed wherefore they should be admitted
unto the presence OF our great COM
mander; though my cousin john
hearing some such words fall from
my lips. did smile, and say, You
would never recognize diamond in
the rough. Aggie."


Now through all this Mistress Abi-
gail did hold herself aloof; and whilst
my aunt and my cousin Anne and
myself, proud OF our noble guest, did
entreat him with all honor, she
though she might not be discourte-
Gus TO 80 noble gentleman, did
meet his courtesy with cold reserve
as rebel leader in arms against hi:
rightful sovereign. Not that she now
dared thus express herself; but we
knew her sentiments OF cid, nor hac
she since given cause that we should
fancy them aught changed.


Thus was it when, on the fourtl
day OF the ganerars stay with Us,
having cause To consult some bool
tand do now remind me that it WA
that work of rare beauty and wisdom
Dr.. Johnson's Rasselas), did take m,
way TO the library, the which was a
the back Of the house. overlooking
the water, and adjoining the apart
ment appropriated to the general
These two rooms might be arrived a
only by long and narrow passage
way, used for no other purpose; ant
since the generals stay We ladies O
the family had refrained from enter