368 John Bachman. 



announced that a dozen or more old men and 

 women — some with babies in their arms — asked to 

 see " the Minister." He went out to them — they 

 wanted a night's lodging. They were the fathers 

 and wives of soldiers on duty on some of the Islands 

 near Charleston. The train that brought them to 

 the city had been delayed, and when they reached 

 the wharf, to their dismay, the last Island boat had 

 already started. The tired company were pro- 

 visioned, but had not money enough to pay for a 

 night's lodging in the city. Quick at expedients, 

 Dr. Bachman took them all in, gave the women with 

 babies the only comfortable chamber in his house — 

 his own — and the rest were easily accommodated. 

 The Pastor evening and morning had pra^'ers witli 

 the pilgrims, and finally saw them safely on the 

 deck of the little Island steamboat. 



On the 3rd of July, he was expected in Columbia, 

 and his grandchildren stood watching at the gate for 

 his arrival. They had been questioning if the ortho- 

 dox Fourth of July melon would appear for dessert 

 next day. It was early for melons and the prices 

 were exorbitant. The elders, therefore, bade the 

 children to remember the cost of the coveted fruit, 

 and to try to be content without it. When their 

 grandfather drove up to the door, there, in the bot- 

 tom of the buggy, lay a great ripe watermelon. He 

 had met a countryman selling melons ; the man 

 recognized him as his entertainer in Charleston, 

 and presented him with one of his finest. The 

 children shouted with delight ! " Remember," said 



