Stranica 228 [228]
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mirror-lake, whose calm waters reflected the beauty of the garden
and rippled with the graceful motion of the swan upon its waters.
Where the lake narrowed to join the waters of the canal beyond,
a graceful arched bridge led across to the orchard on the one side
with fruits and nuts of various kinds. On the other, were the vege¬
table gardens with a luxuriance of all things for the bountiful table
of the old house, within whose walls many noted guests were
welcomed.
Near by there was a rabbit-warren, the soft, downy bunnies
being the delight of all the children in early days who visited
Bremo.
In one corner of the garden wall stood the brick cottage where
Aunt Phyllis lived. She had special charge of the chickens that
feasted in the adjacent barnyard.
Just after the War Between the States, General Lee was visit¬
ing Bremo, where his family had spent much time during the war.
Aunt Phyllis had cared for Miss Mildred Lee’s pets while she was
at Bremo, and the General said he wished to thank her; so, accom¬
panied by two college boys, he called at the cottage. Aunt Phyllis,
who was the pure African type, stood curtseying in the doorway
and hastened to tell General Lee of her war experience. She said
that the Yankee soldiers in passing Bremo had induced her, under
false pretences, to feed and house her large flock of chickens.
They then entered the hen-house, caught all of the chickens, tied
them to their saddles and were off, with the laugh on the old woman.
Aunt Phyllis wound up her story by saying, "Mars Bob, dem
Yankees is de mos’ interruptious nation I ever did see." General
Lee threw back his head with a hearty laugh and said, ‘‘Auntie,
I have certainly found them so!”’
With the passing of the old days and the old regime, many
beauties of the garden also passed, and nature now runs riot with
lavish luxuriance on the spot that the gardener’s art once shaped
into ideal beauty. The old home, mellowed by years, stands en¬
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