Page 28 - Arkansas Confederate Women

Sigei/s Raiders Burn a Fine Home 23

windows and doors; great feather beds and pillows were carried

into the yard and ripped open with knives. But the woman

—sat under a tree placidly knitting deaf alike to threats and

destruction.

"What are you knitting?" inquired one.

"Socks for the Confederate soldiers."

"How many pairs have you made ?"
"So many that I can rib them, turn the heel and toe them

off in the dark."

"How many have you on hand ?"

"Not a pair; sent them away yesterday."
The negroes denied knowing anything about where the

meat was hidden, the girl continued pleading to keep her horse,

the old woman knitted in silence. Finally the order to start
the fire was given. Then the officer said each of them might
have one thing saved for them out of the house. The mother

said to give her her sewing machine, and it was set near her;
the girl chose her piano and it was brought out; then the
torch did the work. The girl was allowed to lead her horse as
she went to stand beside her mother. Thus the enemy left them

to see the destruction of their home, the old woman knitting,
knitting, the young woman standing quiet, one arm thrown over

—her horse's neck a picture of war's cruelty, and illustration of

woman's sacrifice and fortitude.

A SAFE HIDING PLACE.

This story was told the writer by the prominent actor there-
of, but a feeling of delicacy withholds the name.

Miss Kitty (for thus we shall call her), her brother and
sweetheart were having a gay time in the parlor, fun and laugh-
ter running high, when suddenly the house was surrounded by
the Yankees. The lover instantly disappeared up the chim-
ney. But the brother, where was he to go? There, was not a
moment to lose. Beckoning him, Miss Kitty, stood and pointed

to her voluminous hoop skirts. The young man comprehended,
and in a second was in refuge. And when the soldiers entered
the room, the young woman was standing in an apparent care-

less attitude combing her hair.