CHAPTER XIX.

Just Judgment-General Prentiss in Close Confinement Northern Peace Men-Bear Story-In the HospitalOld Aunt Susie-Sold Children-Without Bread, and Satisfied-What our Fathers thought-An Untrammeled Pulpit-Clay-eaters-Commissioners to Washington-Homeward Bound-An Irate Southron-My Yellow Angel-Our Journey-An Accident-Jeff. Davis' Coffin-Don't Know Myself-Safe at Home-Conclusion. Is it not passing strange that - enlightened Americans can be thus so barbarous? It is related of a certain English judge, that a criminal was brought before him, whom, for certain offences, he sentenced to seven years transportation. The prisoner's friends immediately sent a petition to the judge, stating that he was a well-informed man, and if he had an opportunity, might yet be a useful member of society. The judge forthwith sent for the criminal, and thus addressed him:

"I understand, sir, that you are a man of knowledge, and well-informed, and might be a useful member to society. But see what you have done in the face of all your knowledge.

Now, sir, I had intended to give you only seven years; but because you know better, I shall double your term and give you fourteen years transportation, with hard labor." That was a just judge, and before him should the South be tried for the deeds she has committed during this

war.

What renders the offence against the noble General Prentiss so much more aggravating, is the fact, that he was thus treated after he had been regularly exchanged. The man for whom he was exchanged, General Price, had been set at liberty, and returned to his family.

What apology the Southerners could offer in this case I know not; but I suppose they might treat the matter in the same light as they do the wrongs inflicted upon the four millions of human beings whom they hold in bondage. Their reply is, when spoken to of their cruelties to their slaves:

"Oh, they're only niggers !"

So, in regard to General Prentiss, they might say:

"Oh, he's only a Yankee abolitionist !"

And shame mantles my brow as I say that there is a class of men in the North, whom this answer would not only satisfy, but actually delight. Thank God that this class is a harm

less minority! What a sorry figure they will cut after the war is over, and the rebels thrashed back into the Union! They remind me of an anecdote I once heard, of a man named John Williams. John was a poor, lazy coward himself, while his wife was just the reverse. Moving to a mountainous region in Virginia, they got a little cabin and lot of ground. One day Lucy, his wife, was working in the garden, while John was nursing the baby. Suddenly an old, hungry bear was seen coming down the mountain side, directly toward them. John instantly dropped the child, ran to the cabin, climbed up the ladder into the loft, and pulled the ladder up after him, thus leaving the mother and baby to do the best they could. Lucy, seeing her chance of escape thus cut off, did not wait to scold her cowardly husband, but seizing an ax, went out to meet the bear. As soon as old Bruin came within reach, the courageous mother struck him on the head again and again.

John, as he witnessed this from the loft-window, cried out:

"Quit that, you Lucy; you'll make him madder and madder !"

Lucy paid no attention to John, but continued chopping away at the bear until she killed him.

As the beast fell dead, John breathed somewhat more freely, and called out:

"Are you sure he's dead, Lucy ?" "Yes! of course he is."

John came down, and going to where the dead bear lay, he looked first at it, and then at his wife, ready, however, to start off on a run should the brute give any signs of life. After thus contemplating matters, he gave his collar a jerk, and exclaimed, proudly:

"Hurrah, Lucy, we've killed a big bear! blamed if we ain't!"

So it is with the peace-men of to-day. They cry now loudly for peace, and whine about the unconstitutional arrest of a few tories. And when it is over, and freedom triumphs, their coward lips will boast of victories won over the legions of secession. Such are the Vallandigham traitors.

General Prentiss remained in close confinement until October 6th, and during the time he had been absent from our party. I had been taken with a severe illness, which obtained for me admission to a rear room of the prison, which was dignified by the name of a hospital. Here I enjoyed the privilege of drawing my allowance

of corn-meal from the commissary, and taking it, or sending it, under guard, out to some one in the town, to have it cooked. I got a slave, called Aunt Susie, belonging to a widow, to attend to mine, and she did it well. I was forbidden to speak to her, however.

One day, Lieutenant Welsh came in with the report that Aunt Susie was having great trouble. I suspected the reason, but kept silent. The next day, feeling well enough, I obtained permission to take my own meal out to get it cooked. As it happened, two black boys were on guard, and one of these only accompanied me. He knew all about Aunt Susie's sorrow, and, as he walked along, he said:

"Don't b'lieve Aunt Susie 'ill be able to do your cookin', sah."

"Why?" asked I.

"Kase she's in heaps o' trouble, sah. You see, de sheriff sold her little boy an' gal t'oder day, an' she's bin cryin' eber since, as though her heart 'ud break."

"

"Do you think that sale was right?" said I. 'Well, now, I guess I doesn't, sah!" was the quick reply.

"Well, then, why are you in the army that supports such doings?"

"Ah, sah, dey makes me shoulder my gun,