on that account, when the danger was passed, it was thought
best to say nothing, and all who knew of it had been put upon their
honor not to disclose it. Second, it could not be verified as to the
co-conspirators in Maryland and Virginia, and the plan agreed upon by
them, without involving a man heretofore mentioned, in high position
among the very persons who were conspiring to do the deed. His exposure
would doubtless have cost him his life; and I hope you will not now ask
me to say whether he is living or dead."

"I will inquire no further on this subject," said Dr. Adams, "but would
like to know what became of the Black Hills scheme?"

"That scheme failed at or about the same time of the collapse of the new
rebellion.

"Time passed, and finally the country got rid of this President by
electing the General of the Army. We all, or many of us at least,
breathed more freely. The reorganization of the South became a fixed
fact, and the machinery moved smoothly for awhile. My son Henry was
still anxious to go to work and try his fortune in the Black Hills
country. About this time his wife bore him a fine son. He therefore left
her with me and started fortune hunting.

"Gen. Anderson made a visit to his old home in Mississippi and was,
to all outward appearance, well received. He returned home, and, after
talking the matter over with his wife, they thought it would be safe
to return. The Union men were at that time in power in Mississippi, and
many Northern people were flocking there and purchasing property.
Very soon the General and his family got ready to leave Allentown for
Jackson, Miss. When the time came for them to leave, the sorrow with
us all was very great. Mary Anderson and Seraine wept, and held to one
another, instinctively fearing that this separation was forever. The two
children, little Mary and Jennie, shrieked and screamed, and begged not
to be separated. The scene was heartrending. I felt as though my last
friend was leaving me. The General and I acted like children. We both
wept and embraced each other--neither could speak. I held poor little
Mary in my arms and bathed her blessed cheeks with my tears. Old Ham
and Aunt Martha would go with 'Marsa Gen'l' They both wept and heaped
blessings upon us all. As far off as we could see the poor old people,
they were bowing and bidding us good-by. God bless their poor souls;
they were as good and as kind a couple as ever lived!

"Seraine and I had procured