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[35] the bedside of some poor Alabamian, away from home, and wretched as well as sick, she must have seemed to him like an angel visitant. A more decided woman in dealing with all who came within her influence or control I never knew, yet she was kindly withal, though never expecting or brooking opposition. To her husband alone she deferred in all things, and was gentleness itself. On meeting her for the first time she called me to her side, saying, in her abrupt way, ‘I like you, you are so in earnest; do you really mean to nurse our sick soldiers during the war, as Mr. Maury tells me?’ I replied, as I distinctly recollect, with great fervor, ‘I do, God helping me.’ ‘But you are not strong enough, and you are too young.’ Again I replied, ‘I feel that I am called to the work, and strength will be given me.’ She laid her hand kindly upon my shoulder, smiling as she said, ‘I may put you to the test some day; be ready.’ This conversation occurred on the evening of my visit to the hotel with my friends. On the way home an earnest protest against my ‘quixotic idea’ was made by both, which ended in a truce of a few days, during which it was hoped I would repent and rescind my determination. On the corner of Clay and Twelfth Streets stood the pleasant and commodious residence of Mr.Booker and Mrs. Booker. My friend Mrs. Gawthmey resided here, and here the greater part of my time was spent when ‘off duty’ (of which more anon). This model Virginia household was so true a type of the homes of Richmond as they were at that time, that
J. B. Lippincott Company, 1888.
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