Of course we recognized Mrs. Barker, more because there was no one
else in our small community who could personify a darky so perfectly,
than because there was any resemblance to her in looks or gesture.
The
make-up was artistic, and how she managed the quick transformation
from ball dress to that of the plantation, with all its black paint
and rouge, Mrs. Barker alone knows, and where on this earth she got
that dress and turban, she alone knows. But I imagine she sent to
Virginia for the whole costume. At all events, it was very bright in
her to think of this unusual divertissement for our guests when
dancing was beginning to lag a little. The dance she must have learned
from a mammy when a child. I forgot to say that during the time she
was dancing our fine orchestra played old Southern melodies. And all
this was arranged and done by the quietest woman in the garrison!
Our house was upset from one end to the other to make room for the
dancing, but the putting of things in order again did not take long,
as the house has so very little in it. Still, I always feel rebellious
when anything comes up to interfere with my rides, no matter how
pleasant it may be. There have been a great many antelope near the
post of late, and we have been on ever so many hunts for them.
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