Page 170 - Arkansas Confederate Women

Sketch of Mrs. W. F. Slemmons 147

to pack up his clothing to send to him, she found that Beck
had hidden his uniform in a feather bed. Needless to say it
was in a sad condition. The next day the same brigade com-
manded by Major McCauley came back, and on learning in
town how they had been duped in regard to Col. Slemmons'
whereabouts, they came to the house, took everything they could

—carry silver, dishes, provisions, even the dinner cooking on

the stove, which they gave to a wagonload of negroes who were

going with them. Finding the carefully hoarded stock of sugar
and meal too heavy, they scattered it along the road. They tried
in vain to induce the faithful Beck to join them, but she re-
jected their offers of freedom, money, etc., with fine scorn. In
a final burst of rage they poured a bottle of turpentine in the
hall, and set fire to it, then departed, but with only the assist-
ance of the negro girl, mother fought the flames, and quenched
the fire before any great damage was done. Major McCauley

was not with his men at the time 'and came later to apologize
for their vandalism. As he left he said : "Tell Col. Slemmons
to come up and surrender like a little man. Ill be glad to see
him and treat him right." Mother replied that perhaps when

the meeting took place he wouldn't be so glad, and this proved
true, for only a short time after the Major was captured at the
battle of Mark's Mill and on learning who his captor was, said,
"Well, Colonel, I'm not half as glad to see you as I thought
I'd be when I sent a message to you by your wife."

MISPLACED SYMPATHY.

He was a physician in the hospital, and had a heart as
tender as a woman's. He had just seen a poor fellow die and

his sympathies went out to the wife, who must so soon hear the

sad story.
Nerving himself to meet her, he told her the news as gently

as kind words could clothe such intelligence.
She looked at him soberly and there was' a tone of sadness

in her voice as she said:

"He was a good husband."

Meditating a moment, her voice deepened in melancholy

as she spoke again. "I'm afeard the men are goin' tar be

powerful scarce after this war is over."