not those my
companions," pointing to a pile of cheese-boxes, herring-kegs, etc.,
that were strewn around.

He was much astonished when I assured him his friends had _departed_
an hour since, at least.

DIDN'T KNOW OF THE REBELLION.

Going out with a party of scouts, one day, in Virginia, we espied,
away up a little ravine, a log-house, completely isolated.
Anticipating a good, substantial meal, we rode up to the domicile,
where an old woman, with a face with all the intelligence of a pig
beaming from it, came to the door, looking the very picture of
consternation. We dismounted, and asked for something to eat.

"What! wittles?" exclaimed the horrible-looking creature. "Whar did
you come from? And what be sogers doin' on here?"

"Well, I came from Indianapolis," said Captain Bracken, "and am after
something to eat. Are there any Secesh in these parts?"

"Any what?"

"Secesh."

"Why, gracious, what's them?"

"Are you and your folks for the Union?"

"Why, sartain; thar's the old man neow."

Just at this moment there came a gaunt-eyed, slim-livered,
carnivorous, yellow-skinned, mountain Virginian--no doubt belonging to
one of the first families, as his name was Rhett.

"Look-a-hear," continued the old woman; "this ere soger wants to know
if you be for Union?"

The old man looked, if any thing, more astonished than the old woman
at the soldier. In the course of conversation we asked the man, "What
he thought of the war?"

"What war?" exclaimed the old fellow; "the Revolution?"

"Yes. The rebellion, we call it."

"Ah! we gin the Britishers fits, didn't we?"

It was evident the man knew nothing of the rebellion going on.

When asked if he heard the fight, the other day, only six miles from
his house, he opened his eyes widely, and said he "heard it
'_thunderin'_' mighty loud, but couldn't see no clouds, and didn't
know what to make _on it_."

The fact was, these people live up in this place; raise what little
will keep them from year to year; never read a paper, ('cause why,
they can't); and they scarcely ever visit anybody.

There are many cases of this kind within a few miles of this place,
where as much _pent-up_ ignorance is displayed. If North Carolina is
any worse, in Heaven's name send no more money to _distant heathen_,
but attend to those at home.

GENERAL WILLIAM H. LYTLE,

Of whom our city has cause to be justly proud, has won for himself a
name, engraven on the scroll of honor,