The old man finds hisself once more in a Sunny climb. I cum
here a few days arter the city catterpillertulated.
My naburs seemed surprised & astonisht at this darin' bravery
onto the part of a man at my time of life, but our family was
never know'd to quale in danger's stormy hour.
My father was a sutler in the Revolootion War. My father once
had a intervoo with Gin'ral La Fayette.
He asked La Fayette to lend him five dollars, promisin' to pay
him in the Fall; but Lafy said "he couldn't see it in those
lamps." Lafy was French, and his knowledge of our langwidge
was a little shaky.
Immejutly on my 'rival here I perceeded to the Spotswood
House, and callin' to my assistans a young man from our town
who writes a good runnin' hand, I put my ortograph on the
Register, and handin' my umbrella to a baldheded man behind
the counter, who I s'posed was Mr. Spotswood, I said, "Spotsy,
how does she run?"
He called a cullud purson, and said,
"Show the gen'lman to the cowyard, and giv' him cart number
1."
"Isn't Grant here?" I said. "Perhaps Ulyssis wouldn't mind my
turnin' in with him."
"Do you know the Gin'ral?" inquired Mr. Spotswood.
"Wall, no, not 'zacky; but he'll remember me. His
brother-in-law's Aunt bought her rye meal of my uncle Levi
all one winter. My uncle Levi's rye meal was--"
"Pooh! pooh!" said Spotsy, "don't bother me," and he shuv'd
my umbrella onto the floor. Obsravin' to him not to be so
keerless with that wepin, I accompanid the African to my
lodgins.
"My brother," I sed, "air you aware that you've bin
mancipated? Do you realize how glorus it is to be free? Tell
me, my dear brother, does it not seem like some dreams, or do
you realize the great fact in all its livin' and holy
magnitood?"
He sed he would take some gin.
I was show'd to the cowyard and laid down under a one-mule
cart. The hotel was orful crowded, and I was sorry I hadn't
gone to the Libby Prison. Tho' I should hav' slept comf'ble
enuff if the bed-clothes hadn't bin pulled off me durin' the
night, by a scoundrul who cum and hitched a mule to the cart
and druv it off. I thus lost my cuverin', and my throat feels
a little husky this mornin'.
Gin'ral Hulleck offers me the hospitality of the city, givin
me my choice of hospitals.
He has also very kindly placed at my disposal a smallpox
amboolance.