The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-10
A "CAMP FIRE. STORY.
BY an Old Soldier.

never made speech, find myself forced to tell
story; and though not gifted in this way.
shall venture to tell you, after my own fashion,
story which has one redeeming merritt is
true.
Before the great war between the States my
home was in Kentucky. on the banks of the
beautiful Ohio. and but an hours journey by
boat above the town of Maysville. In those days
Twas well acquainted with Mrs. Watts and her
Two sons Harry and Paul.
While these two boys were yet too young to
appreciate their loss their father died, leaving
large farm and considerable other property to
his young widow. 1t was one of the finest pro-
perties in all that section, and l distinctly re-
member that the farm was divided into two
unequal parts by a clear stream well stocked
With fish, and do not recall in all that country.
famed for fine forests, grander trees than were
% be there found on what was called ''the Widow
Watts's place."
Harry Watts was thirteen months to a day
older than his brother Paul, but after they
were able to run about they looked to be
20 much of an age that strangers took them
10 be twins. The training of the brothers in
Iensied this resemblance, till at length, even in
thoughts and feelings, they became very much
alike.
AS children they slept in one crib and were
attended by the same black nurse; they said
their prayers during the nights of happy years
1t the same mothers knee, and when they rose
hey were caught in one loving embrace to the
lame loving heart.
When old enough they went to one school and
a. A.. yKy. u 49,
played the same games. They had the same
likes and dislikes, and they always divided the
catch when fishing that neither might boast the
larger string.
AS the farm, OF plantation" as it was called.
was large enough for two, Mrs. Watts decided
not to give the boys profess ions that would part
them in after life, but to have them follow the
calling of their father on the old place.
The years of $50 and go the brothers spent at
Kentucky University, then located at Harrods-
burg, in that State, for Mrs. Watts believed that
no education could be too thorough for farmer
The young men would have graduated in g.
when Harry was twenty-five and Paul twenty
one, had not the the plan been rudely inter
rupted.
4he hoarse mutterngs Of discomfort that
came from the South in go, broke into open war
in 81, and peace fed the beautiful valleys of
Kentucky.
People living in the far North, or in the far
South, where communities well families
were of one mind as to the war, can form no
idea of the heartrendings, and the broken family
ties caused by that contest in the border land.
In Kentucky that for second time was to be-
come 1.-THE dark and bloody ground" the dis
union of families became awful fact, the day
when the first blow was struck at the Union OF
Che States.
It was not in the nature of Harry or Paul Watts
TO remain unnterested spectators amid the prep
arations for slaughter going on about them; but
by tacit consent neither spoke to the other about
the war. They realized that they stood on opp0-
site sides of line that word might widen into
m impossible chasm. They could not hide from
each other the change that had Gomez though
this change showed itself in gentler tones and
many little acts Of the most thoughtful consid-
Grafton.
Mrs. Watts talked with her sons repeatedly
She prayed with them, and wept with them, and
hope seemed to gain strength in her clouded
heart as she heard them VOW their love for each
other. Mrs Watts had convictions of her own,
TO which she held with great tenacity, but as her
love for her handsome boys was stronger than
any other feeling, she prudently kept her views
10 herself.
should mention here, Ada Bowman, the or
phan child of distant relative of Mrs. Watts.
She was now about nineteen years of age, and
had been adopted into the Watts family since
her sixth year. In that land famed for the
beauty of its women / doubt if a more beautiful
girl than Ada Bowman could be found in that
year OF grace 1861. And the sterling qualities
Of mind and heart that are ever the fitting &C.
compartments of such beauty, were hers.
Admirers-perhaps we might call them mute
lovers"-Ada Bowman had by the score, but
creating them all with courtesy, 'she still
walked in maiden meditation fancy free"
1t was often whispered among the neighbors
that Ada would marry one of 1.-The Watts boys"
but which one the shrewdest could not guess.
Indeed, have heard people hint that love for
Ada would yet bring discord to that happy home
and divide the brothers; but it was this war and
not love that was to part them
In all the country round about. military COM
panies were drilling, some to 60 into the Union
army, others to battle for the cause of abe South
and as they marched away under rival banners
each side urged 1.-THE Watts boys" to come and
Join them.
Harry" said Paul; one moonlight night as
they walked by the river, along which steamers
laden with bluecoated troops were passing. II
can stand this no longer. Our mother, may
heaven bless her, was born to the north of the
Ohio, but love her none the less; how could
love her more and escape being an idolator9"
ut is too late to debate, Paul. shall not try
TO bring you to my way of thinking" said Harry,
rs he came to halt and laid his hand on his
brothers shoulder. But have felt that it
might be better if we both staid out of the war
paired like two members of opposing parties
Ia Congress, who agree not to vote"
Harry, want to stay with mother, and you
and-and Ada, but an impulse that cannot
resist urges me away. Up there on the hill
ean see from here the white stone that marks
his grave-our father is sleeping He was from
she South. and in the South are all our kin of his
name, SO feel that must 60, said Paul." des-
perately
"Whenan
TAT once; tonight Ny horse is ready, and
tomorrow morning am to command hundred
men from the river counties who have asked me
10 be their captain. Pardon me, Harry. for
keeping this secret from you, but dreaded
dreaded the separation"
Have you told herl" asked Harry, waving his
hand in the direction of the house.
mo, have left that for the last" said Paul
with tears in his voice; then he added, after a
pause, land wanted so say much to Ada before
Lleft, but it is too late now. Yet, brother you
might do this for me when am gone"
'sWhat is thatl" asked Harry, swallowing a
lump in his throat and feeling for the first time
In his life pang of dislike for his brother.
All unmindful Of this, Paul continued: