The following instances will serve to illustrate Mrs. Mayo’s great nerve and self-possession.  She was accustomed to drive daily to the bridge to collect the toll of the preceding day, consisting generally of silver of various denominations, which she put in a bag and deposited in the bank.  Her driver Moses was a favorite negro, who had a weakness for drink:  he had several times tried her fortitude and temper severely by upsetting her into a gully by the roadside leading to Bellville, fortunately with no serious consequences to her, unfortunately with none to himself.  On one occasion, Mrs. Mayo, being too late for the bank, and intending to pass the night at the residence of her daughter Mrs. Cabell, took the bag of silver and placed it in a closet in her room, which was at the back of the house and opening on a porch.  During the night she was awakened by a noise, and perceived the figure of a man in her room.  Pretending sleep, she quietly watched his movements until she saw him enter the closet, when she arose quickly, and, rushing rapidly across the room, shut and locked the closet door in an instant, and called loudly for her son-in-law Dr. Cabell, who was in the adjoining room.  On his hurried entrance, she informed him that she had a man in the closet, and that he must go for a policeman, —­which was done, and the door opened, when, to their astonishment, there stood the trusted Moses.  Mrs. Mayo, horrified, exclaimed, “Oh, Moses, how could you try to rob me!” Moses, hanging his head, dropped on his knees, and, in beseeching tones, replied, “Misses, it warn’t Moses:  it was the debbil;” and the old lady forgave him.

At a time when the whole State was in consternation from an apprehended insurrection of the slaves, when families far and near were flocking to the cities for protection, and patrols were scouring the country day and night, Mrs. Mayo was entirely alone at Bellville, with no white person in the neighborhood.  Her friends in vain besought her to go to Richmond.  At length matters became so threatening that some gentlemen, discussing the subject one night, concluded that it was too unsafe for Mrs. Mayo, and determined to ride out and insist upon her returning with them to the city.  They reached Bellville about midnight, and, as they rode up, a window was raised, showing that the brave proprietress was on the qui vive.  She demanded, in a quiet, fearless voice, “Who is there?” They explained the object of their visit, but pleaded and remonstrated ineffectually.  She refused to accompany them, saying she had no fear, and could protect herself; which she did boldly and safely until the danger and alarm had passed away.

E.L.D.

Mystifications of Authoresses.