Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-05-27


south, and, after the liberation of their
tanned enough to surround themselves
and family with all the comforts which
the people of their simple faith care to
possess. In those days their great
stone house with its thick walls, broad
verandas and low windows met my
idea of the castles which were mixed
up with my meager knowledge of medi-
eval times The macadanized road
that ran through the farm was lined on
either side with locust trees that in the
period of blooming made the air heavy
with the perfume of the graceful white
blossoms waving in background Of
green that they almost concealed. A
never-failing spring that bubbled up
through moss-grown stone was cmbow-
cred in the ovcrhanging branches Of
strong-trunked weeping willows. The
great front yard had its driveways cut
through a rich sward and wound among
towering naples. The garden had the
earliest, the latest and the sweetest
flowers. The stock was the fattest and
the best cared for. The negroes who
would not leave kind master and mis-
tress found life of comparative ease
and plenty with them. The handsome
old gentleman was Grandpa Water
son" TO all of us, and the wife, who al
lowed no visiting boy or girl to depart
without cookies, great mellow apples,
mince pie, maple sugarcakes or some
other evidence of a kindness that took
all the world into her heart, was al
ways grandma"
No nobler couple ever trod the path
way of life together and the sorrows
that came upon them suggested to me
rs boy The inscrutable ways of Provi-
dence.
There were two sons in the family
models of physical perfection and man
ly courage. No handsomer could be
found. They were over six feet tall,
had the light curly hair, the blue eyes
and the fresh complexion SO conspicu-
Gus in men of Anglo-Saxon origin.
They were highly educated, and idol
lied, not only by the parents but by the
four fair sisters and untold scores of
other peoples sisters One had gone
west and soon established popularity
that placed him in n responsible public
position The other had remained at
home and relieved Grandpa Waterson
of every business care.
The startling news of active hostili-
ties flashed over the country. Henry,
the elder son, resigned his Office and
| surprised us all by appearing one after
noon without previous notice. The
warm family greetings over, Henry
called his brother out for walk and
forgetful that ''little pitchers have
ears" they allowed me to saunter
along. At the spring we all drank and
then followed long trampin the shade
of the locusts. ! almost let out shout
of mingled terror and surprise when
heard Henry say to Charles in tho
language they had always used at home:
"Charles, l have decided to enlist
'.I have already done So"
"Thee can't mean it. Do father and
mother know?"
II promised Ruth 10 tell them tonight
| It's more terrible to me than the dread
of war"
"Thee is nearer to them than /, Charles.
| l will break the news to father when
we get back. No one can soothe mother
or break the news SC gently us he.
am more than sorry that thee has taken
this step, for came home to prevent
it. ! wanted to make sure that one son
and one brother would be left. But II
is too late. l have consented to COM
mand regiment .cf sharpshooters and
cannot honorably disappoint them.
will have a gallant lot Of boys at my
back"
Here l broke away so full of impor-
tance that ran at top speed. l was GO
ing to tell Grandma Waterson. 1 would
not have those two handsome fellows
stopping bullets. But I met Lydia, as
nyetty maideu as ever .donned- q dra