Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1864-06-04
Deacon Thorne's Disloyalty,
BY SARAH A. DRYER.

glories of the vanished day. Through the husky
gloom come the glimmer of the lamps from the
large kitchen where the family were gathered
around the cory re-place the deacon and his
sons, together with George Stanley a young
neighber discussing politics Minnie, his daugh-
ter, the rosest and pretties of the village girls
pairing apples quite contentedly while in the
back ground Mrs. Thorne sat knitting, her eyes
fixed on the beautiful forms which the embers
were assuming.
The deacon was getting excited. His eyes
flushed, and he spoke in hasty angry tones.
Don't talk to me, sir | 1t is an unjust war,
a war cursed by man and by the Creator. The
stand while time continues Sooner than see
my sons engaged in it, would follow them to
the grave. Never with my consent shall they
enter the ranks of the Union army"
I" Oh, father |" Jamie Thorne raised his eyes
appealingly. For months this had been the
grand dream of his existence. Twas noble, he
thought, to suffer and die if need be, for the
liberty his forefathers bequeathed to their sons.
He was young and impulsive, and the tears rose
to his eyes as he walked to the window, and stood
looking out into the night.
"No," resumed the deacon, " my BOYS are
not going to war. have done all in my power
to discourage enlistmcnts, and / shall continue
to do so. The man who dons the Federal uni
form at such time and in such cause is no
friend of mine"
" am sorry, sir, said George Stanley, " for
old war of the revolution, and should despise
myself should his descendants prove beneath
him in valor and patriotism. l could not stay
idly at home and retain my self-respect. shall
enlist, but thought sir, may be you'd give me
Minnie before went, we have been promised so
long
The deacon answered him sneeringly $50
you, too, have caught the fever. gave you
credit for possessing more sense Mark my
words, George Stanley, Minnie shall never be
yours if you enter the army never with my
consent, and she dare not draw my curse upon
her by disobeying me. a man who is dishonor-
able enough to fight in such cause deserves
nothing but contempt"
" think your too severe in your remarks
father" said Davie Thorne, in determined tone
=" believe love of country second only to love
for our Maker. l would rather 90 with your
consent, but if you will not give it must go
without it. Jamie is too young for the hardships
of camp life-he can stay with you on the farm,
and shall enlist with George know that my
presence is disagreeable to you, that have
come to the decision, and will not trouble you
longer. Good bye, mother, good bye, Minnie, "
and David Thorne was gone.
The next day there was another change at the
old farm house. Jamie had disappeared. All
day long the deacon paced to and fro with cloud
ed brow, and when, at night word was brought
that his pet son had enlisted, his rage was too
deep for words.
Never mention their names again. he said
to his wife and daughter " IIenceforth they
are dead to US. | have no sons"
The days passed quickly on until the spring.
time scattered blossoms and fragrance all over
the land. Then came those hours of doubt and
despair, which the stricken throughout the length
and breadth of the country had endured. They
were ended by letter in Jamie's frank, boyish
hand.
Dear mother, so it ran" our regiment
suffered severely in late battle George and
escaped unnjured, but Davie is dead. God help
you, mother. know how you suffer-
After this the gloom on the deacon's face
deepened, but he showed no signs of relenting.
Another year of prayerful sorrow and patient
watching passed by. Then came the raid into
Pennsylvania, the raid which did more to arouse
the latent spirit and patriotism of the North than
winning many victory. One evening neigh
Dor came hurriedly along the road, and up the
little walk
q The rebels are coming" he exclaimed
" They are down at the South Forks we have
only time to escape"
I" I think there will be no DANGER was the
reply. "At any rate will stay and guard my
property. The women can go with you if
they choose, although they will be as safe here
as elsewhere"
Half an hour later motley procession wound
its way over the hills on the way to safety and
security. Deacon Thorne babe his wife and
daughter kind good bye, and returned to his
post of watchfulness
On they came, the minons of slavery lighting
their path by the lurd glare of burning houses
The deacon saw the flames bursting forth in gor-
geous splender against the sky with strange
thrill of awe and admiration.
% May such be the fate of all the enemies of
slavery, said he half aloud.
Nearer and nearer they came. Along the dus-
ty road the shouts of the advancing column, the
tramp Of armed men, and the clash of musketry
were blended in the widest confusion. Alone
and unarmed he advanced to meet them.
"You are welcome" said he, = have SYM
pathized with you in your struggle; | am with
you heart and soul. All ask is that my home
shall be unmolestcd.
Impossible, sir" answered the leader of the
rebel column. sour orders are to destroy all
that lies in our path. 1t matters not on which
side you are, your buildings must 60 to the bon
FIRE which is lighting the souls of the hellish
Yankees down to perdition.
Calmly the deacon stood by and saw the torch
applied to his bursting barns and graneries, but
culver of agony passed over his countenance
as be saw the old homestead, the house of his
fathers, consigned to the devouring element.
Fire and the old house from its ancient gable
to its messy stills, burst forth in glare that
lighted up the heavens for miles around. 1t was
red and rose on the pillows of fame, then fell
with loud crash, sending up into the air mil
lion fragments Of lurid light All a new home
may arise from the ashes Of the old, JOY and love
may gather round its hearth-stone, but it can
never, never be dear his heart as that to which
ne brought his bride in her youthful beauty, in
which his children have grown to manhood.
:, BY the side of the expiring embers Deacon
,norne learned many stern lesson and when
the morning sun looked down on the desolate
hillside which but the day before was covered
WIN me and beauty, a, man true and loyal in
t,nI near, VOW OF eternal enmity against the
its coming.
LII - *.s%
Gettysburg the name immortal in onr cam
: try's snnalsl All day the fight had ragged 6erce-
y npcentroilably- Among the thousands Of
brave men who rushed forward to the rescne
none fought more earnest and determine5iv sha .
James Thorne. George Stanley was not in the