Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/394

 oy3 Reminiscences of the Sunny South.

steamer, to Montgomery, no royal The j.roprietor of the hotel expect- ^.uests of the comrtrv or of the rail- ed me, but the time of arrival of the road could have been treated with boat was never a certainty, and that more refined and respectful consider- morning it chanced to be ahead of ation, more delicate anticipation of time. My sable guide took me to and attention to our comfort. Wheth- - the hall," as the general reception- er we would have a window open or room was called, which was the ottice, closed, here or there ; whether we and took the place of a bar-room also, would like more room or more bolster- A fire was blazing cheerily in the open ino-s to recline upon,— seemed to be as fireplace, as during the season of fires much the self-appointed duty of the it always did, day and night. Partly in conductor as were his train responsi- the shadow of corners, and partly in j3jl-^gs_ the light of the blaze on the hearth,

Occasionally a glass of water was were stretched on the floor a half doz- presented without any suggestion on en forms of negroes without pillows, our part, and though these very agree- without even blankets. al>le attentions and supply of neces- But for the life-giving warmth and s-xry comforts were bestowed with the radiance of the blaze, the impression watchful foresight <.f a friend, not a of a first glance might have deepened, word or look of encroaching familiar- and a sense of having entered a itv was offered. To a lady who hastrav- morgue remained as the introduction elled alone in the South, and has been to a hospitable Southern hotel, for acquainted with Southern gentlemen, during the brief colloquy held with there is no surprise that assaults upon my attendant, not a breath or a ino- women are visited with summary and tiou indicated any life in those re- decisive retribution. The protection cumbent forms.

of women is an inbred virtue in South- The countenance, and conspicuous-

ly the eye, of the negro slave was a „y fortune to leave the boat about a riddle, or wear a more stol.d m,eu See o'eloek a. m., in the darkness No genius in acting could tlwow ,nore before the dawu. As it happened, no expression into the eye Pass.ng a other passenger landed, and under day as the guest of a lady who had the shadow of a densely wooded bluff, scores of servants, one of the house- on the Alabama river, at the foot of a maids slyly and deftly conveyed a fli„ht of three hundred steps leading few ligs, the first rnas of the season, „;and into impenetrable darkness, a to my pocket. A short tune after- „c»ro with a lantern my only means ward her mistress on eied her to go o "guidance or company (the station out and pick a dish of figs especally aaent having taken a chill that night), for a treat to me of an unaccuston.ed to mount that long flight of steps at fruit. As the gnl rose an.l passed the rear of the lantern, or trust the behind the chair of her m.stress, she elevator used for hauling up freight, truly ./.«< glances =^' "■«•;""• 'f was mv only chance of reaching a earnestness of appeal we,e .almost was mv 1 startlino-. When she returned I es-
 * 'ormy first arrival in Dixie it was study. No sphinx conid seen, more

tabitation, or white folks. siaiuni„.

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