With the help of France Washington succeeded at last.
Davis was destined to fail. No friendly foreign power came to his aid.
His courage was none the less sublime for this reason.
Lee's skeleton army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, and Davis
hurried to Greensboro where Johnston and Beauregard were encamped with
twenty-eight thousand men. Two hundred school girls marched to the house
in Danville and cheered him as he left.
Mrs. Sutherlin in the last hour of his stay asked for a moment of his
time.
He ushered her into his room with grave courtesy.
"Dear Madam," he began smilingly, "you have risked your home and the
safety of your husband to honor me and the South. I thank you for myself
and the people. Is there anything I can do to show how much I appreciate
it?"
"You have greatly honored us by accepting our hospitality," was the
quick cheerful answer. "We shall always be rich in its memory. I have
but one favor to ask of you--"
"Name it--"
She drew a bag from a basket and handed it to him.
"Accept this little gift we have saved. It will help you on your
journey. It's only a thousand dollars in gold--I wish it were more."
The President's eyes grew dim and he shook his head.
"No--no--dear, dear Mrs.
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