“General, you must be mistaken; you have been misinformed as to the person.”
“Madam, if I were you I wouldn't deny that which you know and I know. You have had that flag made; it is finished and in your house; and I should get it from there now, as I have seen fit to move about it, if I had to take down your house from roof to hearthstone. Now, please don't let us have any fuss made about the matter and require that I shall have to send down a party of soldiers to get it, because you will know that I know where it is when I tell you where it is. It served as a bolster under your pillow last night. Orderly, take this lady to the house from which you brought her and keep her in sight until you return her here.”
In a short time the orderly returned, bringing what appeared to be a handsome case for a flag. I opened the case by releasing the gathering cord at the top and produced a very handsome flag, rolled up. I looked at it, thrust it back into the case, and threw it to one side.
“Yes,” said I, “that is the one I want. I don't want any more; and I wouldn't make any more if I were you. If I should happen to want another I will send to you, for this is a very beautiful one. You can go, madam.”
“May I ask you a question, General?” she gasped out.
“Oh, certainly; I will answer it if a proper one.”
“Which of those girls gave information about this flag?”
“Oh, I can't tell you that, madam, because they would not come and tell me anything more if I did.”
“I know, I know,” said she; “one of them has been seen walking with a Yankee officer.”
“I have no objection to you secession women eating each other like Kilkenny cats; I have nothing to do with that. But you may accuse her unjustly. It may be your servants, which I suppose you have.”
“No, it was not my servants, General; that won't do. The only one of my family that knows anything about it is my foster sister, the daughter of my nurse brought up with me from the same breast.”
“Oh, well, I am glad to hear you have such faithful servants,” and she left. It was her foster sister all the same who was my
