All the Days of My Life: An Autobiography Part 31

_Mar. 29th._ I was doing some fine ironing all day; the negro in the kitchen too sulky to trust. Jenny Alexander came in and helped me.

Bishop Gregg called in the afternoon, and I had a pleasant talk with him. This is my thirty-first birthday. My birthday wish is, that I may daily grow in grace. Robert was sad because he could give me no gift.

Poor fellow, I told him I would remember all the dear old ones, and I asked G.o.d to bless me, and to direct all my way.

_Mar. 30th._ Thomas bought our house, and signed all the papers relative to the sale.

_Mar. 31st._ A very unhappy day. I was in a bad temper, Robert was miserable, and the children wondered at me. Dear G.o.d, forgive me!

_Apr. 9th._ Sewing and teaching; made a delicious beefsteak pie for dinner. Went to see Mrs. Henrick's in the afternoon; in the evening to Mrs. Durham's. Poor little Sally, whom I suckled for nearly two months when her mother had fever, just dead of diphtheria!

_Apr. 10th._ Went to see Sally for the last time. It was Ben McCulloch's funeral, also. The cemetery was crowded. When we got back from Sally's funeral, her sister Leanore was dying. She breathed her last at five o'clock.

_Apr. 19th._ A Mr. Stockton and his wife came to close with Robert for their farm. I was glad the wife came. Women are so much harder to please than men when they are buying. Everything went to pieces. I knew it would from the woman's face. I wonder how it is that men like women--at least, some women. Dear Robert tried to comfort me; he thought I was disappointed, and I honestly tried to comfort him, for he was very much disappointed. He smiled at my brave words, and said of course all was for the best. I wonder if he really thought so--for it has been a very hard, anxious week.

_Apr. 24th._ Made a shirt for Robert, and heard children's lessons.

Robert far from well, and hope sometimes dies within me. Dear G.o.d, forget not that it is in Thee, in Thee only, I hope and trust.

_Apr. 28th._ Robert has gone with a Mr. Spenser to see his place on the Brushy. I know it is all useless expense, but I dare not say so to Robert. He seems to have no hope but in this direction, and I must not take his last hope from him. Despondent men have bad temptations. He must have his dream until he gets work. Make no tarrying, O my G.o.d!

David knew all about "waiting on G.o.d." He durst even ask G.o.d to hurry.

That is the way I feel this morning.

_May 3rd._ Gun boats at New Orleans; all gloom here in consequence.

Robert still looking for a farm. I asked him today what kind of farm he wanted, and he said, a dairy farm, and then told me what Thaxton made every week from his b.u.t.ter alone, and all gold. b.u.t.ter! That makes me still more set against farming. Who is to make the b.u.t.ter?

_May 4th._ Very, very anxious. I have hardly spirit left to attend to the children. For many months I have been fighting this weary bug-a-boo of a farm. I think a change of trouble would be a little relief. This day I am "out" with life.

_May 5th._ I am so happy! G.o.d is so good! I knew He would be good.

Robert is to go back to his desk in the comptroller's office. Mr.

Durham called today and told him so. He has forgotten all about farming. He went this afternoon and rented the Cook place, and tomorrow we remove there. I have been singing all afternoon. G.o.d has visited me with a blessing in both hands, for not only has Robert got back his old desk, but I have been given the very desire of my heart.

Ever since I came to Austin, I have longed to live in the Cook place, but never until now has it been to rent.

It was a big rambling log house on the top of a hill. The town, the capitol and state offices were below it, and the river and the mountains surround it. It stood in an enclosure full of forest trees in front, and behind there was a yard shaded with mulberry trees, ending in a meadow running down to a beautiful creek, and beside this creek there was a stable. The main part of the house was built of immense square cut logs in old Texan fashion, opposite doors to every room, and no windows. It had cupboards and pantries to my heart's content, and a little roofed pa.s.sage way connected it with the kitchen and servant's quarter. The parlor and one other room were of modern construction, and I made the public welcome to them. I chose for myself a large log room, with a fireplace one could burn a cord of cedar in. It was always delightfully cool in the hottest weather; it was always warm and cheerful in winter. If I had the money I would build me a log house today. I would cover it with vines, and among the leaves put gourds for the martins to build in, and I would say to the swifts, "Sister swallows, you are welcome to my chimney."

For eighteen months I lived in this beautiful place, the life of a completely happy woman. Time went back for me, and I grew young again and joyous and hopeful as my own children. Robert made sufficient for our necessities, and now that we had a stable he bought a couple of mustang ponies. They were beautiful creatures, fine pacers, and cost ten dollars in "specie" each. Robert and I rode out before breakfast nearly every morning to Billingsley's garden, and bought cantaloupes and tomatoes for the day, and Mary and Lilly soon became clever horsewomen. Mary rode swiftly and gracefully; Lilly was very daring, and took wood or water or anything that came in her way.

I followed my usual duties, attending first of all to my children's lessons--then sewing, knitting, reading aloud to them, and to Robert, cooking special dishes et cetera. My diary shows that I had an extraordinary amount of company, and that, some way or other, I found time to call upon a large number of friends, and moreover that for days and weeks together, I helped Robert with the tax rolls of the different counties. The following are a few ill.u.s.trating notes:

_June 23rd._ Rode before breakfast with Robert to Billingsley's, afterwards attended to the children. They went riding, and I was checking rolls for Robert all day. Heard that Memphis had fallen.

Called on the Durhams in the evening.

_July 2nd._ Calvin's birthday. He is five years old. G.o.d bless the boy. I thank G.o.d for him. Mary Gregg spent the day with us. I gave the children a holiday, and was sewing, and tatting, and listening to Mrs.

Illingworth's troubles. After supper, Robert and I had a walk, and then I played and sang an hour for him.

_July 11th._ This is my wedding anniversary. Twelve years ago Robert and I were married. That was a happy day, this is twelve times happier. Mr. Durham sent me a basket of grapes, and a pair of ducks for dinner. Robert and I had a walk in the evening, and he said many good and tender words to me. Oh, what a happy woman I am!

_July 18th._ Rode out to Illingworth's, and brought Mollie in to spend the day. When I got home found Mollie Beadles, Mollie Peck, and Betty Elgin were waiting. They brought the news of McClellan's defeat, and surrender. The town seemed drunk with excitement. There was shouting and bell ringing, and the continual cracking of firearms. I managed to find dinner enough for everybody, and we had a merry meal. In the evening Robert and I walked to Ethel's grave. Truly it is better to go to the House of Mourning, than to the House of Mirth.

_Aug. 20th._ Have been working hard on the tax rolls every day for a week, and a Mr. Bell worked till after midnight with Robert on his roll. Robert has made a deal of money this month, but somehow it has not been as happy as it should have been.

_Sept. 21st._ A pleasant day for Robert was at home, but I am not happy. I have been drifting away from G.o.d, while I have been so busy.

I went to Ethel's grave in the afternoon, but felt no better. No swift word of prayer or love leaped from my heart. There was no call for me, and no word, or even thought for me. I was cold and lonely. The Great Companion had left me. Well, I deserved it. I have neglected my private reading and prayer for some weeks. I had no time. I made a few dollars, and have lost what no money can buy. Dear Christ, forgive me.

_Sept. 29th._ All day making over my hoop.

_Sept. 30th._ Heard lessons, and then went to Mrs. Millican's to learn how to turn the heel of a stocking properly. Helping Robert at night till very late.

_Nov. 3rd._ Sewing and knitting all day. Read to Robert at night from Porte Crayon's work on Virginia.

_Nov. 7th._ Wrote long letters home, having an opportunity to send them by a Mr. Ruthven.

_Nov. 15th._ My usual duties; baking cake, and went to sit with Mrs.

Durham an hour or two. Took Robert's sock I am knitting with me.

_Dec. 25th._ Christmas Day. My darling Edith would enter her ninth year to-day if she had lived. The children were delighted with such presents as we could get them. Most of their toys were of Robert's making. We had a good breakfast all together. Plenty of chicken and sausage and coffee for everybody, even for Crazy Billy,[4] who came as usual to say "Merry Christmas!"

_Dec. 31st._ Had a severe cold but knit all day. We are all out of stockings. Let Mary and Lilly sit up till ten o'clock, then they had pecan nuts and home made wine; but Robert and I wanted to watch the New Year in. I am going to be a better woman next year. I have promised, and with G.o.d's help I will keep my promise. Amen.

For another year I was permitted to rest body and soul in this pleasant home, and everything in the main events of life kept a very even tenor. I taught my children, sewed, knit, read aloud to them, and helped Robert with the tax rolls; went to see my friends, and generally had one or more of them in my company. Yet no life is without an almost daily variation; there was plenty of change to keep me watchful, and sometimes a little anxiety, for the future had never looked so dark and so uncertain.

On the thirteenth of March, I had another son, a fine boy whom we called Alexander Gregg after the Bishop. We were very proud and happy in his birth, and his brother Calvin took him to his child heart with a pa.s.sionate affection. From the first hour of his life he watched over him. His care lasted a little over four years, and then in death, they were not divided.

After Alexander's birth, any soul at all prescient might feel the end of many things approaching. The stores of all kinds were nearly empty, and I noticed that no stocks were renewed: I could not get an inch of flannel for the new born child, and Mr. Illingworth sent me three of his fine English undershirts to make barrow coats for him. With this gentleman and his wife and children, we had been on the most familiar terms for two years. He was the youngest son of an English family of old and n.o.ble lineage, and had run away from college in his twenty-second year. In some way he reached the Creek Indians, and incorporated himself with the tribe, remaining seventeen years with them. On his return to civilization he married a beautiful girl, and had three children. His knowledge of Indian affairs made him of great value to the government, and his desk in the Capitol was close to Robert's.

Soon after Alexander's birth, an English lawyer came to Austin seeking Mr. Illingworth. His father was dead, and there was a large fortune waiting his identification. That night he and the lawyer took supper with us, and we talked about England, until I went to bed with a pain in my heart. At this time Mr. Illingworth was separated from his wife, but in the morning I rode to her house, about two miles away, and told her what had happened, advising her, for her children's sake, to make up her quarrel with her husband. I was sorry that I had been her confidant in the matter, for no one has any business to say a word this way, or that way, between a man and his wife. The confidence however had been forced on me, and I thought then, and I think yet, that she was not much to blame. Given an Englishman inheriting all the authoritative, stubborn qualities and prejudices of an aristocratic family, the same carefully cultivated by the traditional education of his cla.s.s, and superinduced upon it the education of an American Indian Chief, and you have a variety of the animal called man, any woman might fail to please. I saw him on his return from England, and he was, in spite of his quarter of a century in America, the most English of all the Englishmen I had ever seen. What the cradle rocks, the spade buries. But he was excellent company, and among other things he related the following bit of conversation between himself and Lady C---- at a dinner given to him by his mother's family, the high, well-born Carews.

"Are you married yet, Mr. Illingworth?"

"I am, Lady C----.

"To an American?"

"Yes, to an American."

"Is she _very_ dark?"

This question ill.u.s.trates well the amount of knowledge the n.o.ble Englishwoman had of American woman, half a century ago.

Very soon I began to really feel the pinch of war. It seemed an incredible thing not to be able to buy a little domestic or print, when I had money to do so, but I could not. Many people were without shoes, moccasins were commonly worn in the house. Pins and needles were extraordinarily scarce, some were compelled to use mesquite thorns for pins. I once gave a lady three needles number six, number eight, and number ten, and she was so grateful she sent me a fine ham, and two pounds of coffee; _real_ coffee that her husband had brought from Mexico. Alas, there was no more real coffee in Austin, and a majority of people were using the dried leaves of the beautiful Yupon tree instead of real tea. Somehow or other, I cannot tell how, I never wanted either tea or coffee; the Bishop sent me some, and also about twenty pounds of rice. Mr. Durham sent me a little box of English Breakfast tea, and I was just out of that, when Dr. Bacon of the United States Sixth Cavalry sent me a fresh supply. And upon my honor, I do not think there is anything that so firmly and pleasantly cements friendship, as little courtesies of something good to eat. Though I am in my eighty-first year now, I remember how delighted I was with these things, and to go back no further than last Christmas, though I had many gifts of many kinds, the one that gave me the most pleasure of all, was a plum pudding and a dish of Nativity tarts, that an aged Yorkshire lady visiting in Cornwall made for me with her own hands.

One of the symptoms speaking badly for the Confederate cause, was the fact that the government was out of materials for the use of its officers, which it could not manage to supply. Thus the printed and ruled tax rolls were all used. There was paper of a kind, but it needed a certain form of ruling, and Mr. Durham asked Robert if he could rule it. Robert said he had not the time, but that I would do it as well as anybody. So paper and rulers and pencils came to me, and from henceforward until the break up, I ruled the sheets for the a.s.sessors. Soon after the envelopes of three necessary sizes gave out, and I made the envelopes. And Mr. Durham laughed when I sent in my bill for "specie" payment.

"Barr," he said, "you would have taken Blue Williams,[5] but the Confederacy can't fool women with them. I don't know a woman who has done anything for it, that has not sent her modest little bill for 'specie.'"

These employments broke in upon my regular life very much, but the "specie" was our domestic salvation. In the household also we were obliged to help ourselves. No candles were to be bought, and we made our own candles. We were as badly off for soap also, that is the soap for washing clothes and kitchen use. I had yet a few boxes of Old Brown Windsor which I had brought with me from England, and also perhaps half a dozen of those semi-transparent b.a.l.l.s made, I think, by Pears. Among other utilities I painted a very respectable pack of playing cards. I had bought, with my Newman's box of water colors, a dozen large sheets of bristol board, which was just the proper thickness. Robert with a sharp shoemaker's knife cut them even, and exact, and then I painted them. I was quite pleased with this achievement and sent word to Pat O'Gorman and Mr. Simc.o.x, we could have our game of whist once more. I have forgotten what became of this pack, but I think one of these gentlemen took it as a memorial of the evenings in the old log house.

Thus nearly every day there was a makeshift of some kind to devise, and we found out, often with real happiness, that "necessity is the mother of invention." Robert said it was like living in a Texas log house the island life of the Swiss Family Robinson.

One day when the year was drawing close to Christmas, Robert came home early. As soon as I saw him, I knew there was trouble, and I said, "What is it, Robert?"

"Why, Milly, dear, this house has been sold, and we must leave it before the first. Oh, my dear, I am so sorry!"