The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-05-05

south, and, after the liberation of their
slaves from sense of duty, still re-
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 it's 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 macadamized road
that ran through the farm was lin.d on
either side with locust trees that in the
period If blooming made the air heavy
with the perfume of the graceful white
blossoms waving in a background of
green that they almost concealed. A
never-failing spring that dubbed up
through moss-growc stone was embow-
cred in the overhanging branches of
strong-trunked weeping willows. The
great front yard had it's driveways cut
through rich sward and wound among
towering naples. The garden had the
earliest, the latest and the sweetest
flowers. The stock was the latest and
the best cared for. The negroes who
would not leave a kind master and mis-
tress found a 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. g.eat mellow apples,
mince pie, maple sugarcakes or some
other evidence of 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
as 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
isrd, 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 a 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 a long tramp in the shade
OF the locusts. almost let out a shout
OF mingled terror and surprise when
heard Henry say to Charles in the
language they had always used at home:
'Charles, have decided to enlist
II have already done so.'
Thee can't mean it. Do father and
mother know"
promised Ruth to tell them tonight.
It's more terrible to me than the dread
of war"
.''Thee is nearer to them than I, Charles.
] will break the news to father when
we get back. No one can soothe mother
or break the news so gently as he. I
am more than sorry that thee has taken
this step, for came home to prevent
/ It. wanted to make sure that one son