May 2.
We were up with the sun this morning after a night of refreshing and
restful sleep. Neelie and I commenced folding the bedclothes, ready
to be sent to the wagons, when she startled me with a merry peal of
laughter, “Look here, Miss Sallie, see ma’s treasure, she has left it
on the floor under the head of her bed. Don’t say anything, and I will
put it in the bottom of a trunk, where it ought to be, and we will see
how long it will be before she misses it.”
She thought of it while at breakfast, and started up excitedly, “Neelie
daughter, did you see that precious satchel?”
“Yes, ma, I have taken care of it, and put it where it will not be left
lying around loose any more.”
“Thank you, my dear, I am glad you have taken care of it.”
“Why, mother, I did not expect you to carry that burden around on your
arm by day, and sleep with it at night. I only intend for you to have
entire charge of it, and put it where the rest of us do not know the
hiding place, so that when we are obliged to have some, we will have to
come to you to get it. And then give it sparingly, for much, very much
depends upon what is in that satchel.”