Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-04-21


have fight or two and march around
and should reckon on 80 days anyhow
Better come along. You never did haYs
no such chance TO see fun in all your
life before. =
WAL, reckon 10 or 20 days won I
make no great difference anyhow, eaid
the man. And he pushed forward to
add his name TO the list.
Directly opposite two men sat look
ing out Of a second story window. They
were in the law Office of Justin Viii
liams, lifelong citizen of the town
and a lawyer of repute. He was man
of 90, but carried his age lightly. This
other was young man of "a, well
built and having plain but kindly
face. He was Royal Kenton of Rhode
Island, graduate Of law at a promi-
nent university and the Junior partner
of the law firm of Williams & Kenton.
They were uncle and nephew. Kenton
had come down about Is months before.
1 AS the relative and partner of a promi-
nent citizen he was treated with cour-
tesy. As a Yankee, fresh from Yankee
land, he was subject of criticism, and
there was little heart in the hospitality
accorded him. There could not have
been. He represented principles al
4 tagonistie TO the south. There was no
neutral ground in those days. A man
represented not himself, but his Sec
! ton of country. The opinions of his sec
ton were considered tic be his. A south
erner at the north would have been
looked upon through the same eyes and
held responsible to the same extent.
Men liked him as man, but they de-
tested him as Yankee.
Well. am sorry this trouble has
fallen upon the country said the old
lawyer as they watched the crowd oppo-
site. Il have long felt that it must
come sooner or later, but | hoped it
would not be in my day. Nothing can
now prevent war.
But everybody appears to think it
will end almost as soon as begun, re-
piled Kenton.
1 They do not stop to reflect, said
the lawyer as his face assumed more
serious look. Il am southerner, and
| believe the south has been fully justi-
fed in her course, but our people are
foolishly Understanding the strength
and temper of the north. They will not
let rs go because we buster and threat
en-. If the south secures separation,
( it will have to be won on the field of
4 battle. 1t was to be, and it has come,
but it is to be deplored.
IF war comes, business will have to
CO., observed Kenton as he looked
about the Office.
War is here, and our business has
already fed. replied Williams. Mar
tial law will soon be proclaimed, and
there will be no more use for judges,
Jurors and attorneys. have wanted to
ask you for several days what course
you mean to pursue. If it was to be a
war of CD days. six months, or even a
year, we might make certain plans, but
it is to be long and bloody struggle,
and this very valley will be battle
ground. We may as we'll close our Of
fee today as a month hence. Amid
I outh tAtitSt4iNit AiIlo AllClC CdtI 10 ~
call for our services.
II am northern man., !" said Ken
ton after a moments thought.
Yes, they call you Yankee. +"
:" have cared nothing for politics.
/ There is a great principle herein in
voIved, but our greatest statesmen are
divided over it. The south seeks indie
pendence from q federation which has
become unbearable. The north, or at
least a goodly portion of it, denies the
right of secession. This coming war is
the consequence. stand on neutral
ground.
4'You are neutral today, but you can
not be 50 days hence, said the old law
yer as troubled lock came into his
face. do you find any neutral men in
that crowd down there? Have you heard
any neutral talk among our people? 1t
may not be 10 days before you will be
put to the test
what test?"
'Of your allegiance to one side OF
the other. Every young man in our
town is Fastening to volunteer. | am
too old to be taken now, bat later on
may be forced into the ranks. 1t will
be war in which the south will need
her last man. am not pledged to a
southern confederacy, but am pledged
to Virginia. go with my state. You
have come down to cast your lot with us.
1t is for you to answer whether you arc
for or against your adopted state.
Think it over. If you wish to go north,
the routes are still open. Ii you wish
to remain, you will be asked why you
DOM volunteer. do not seek to infiu-
ence you. Be guided by your own con-
science. Tomorrow we will settle all
business matters between us. 1t may be
years before there is any further call
for our legal talents in this OF any othel
Virginia town. Military law will soon
override everything.
| The old lawyer rose up and passed
down stairs en- his way home without
| further remark, leaving Royal Kentor
| in a brown study, which was interrupt
ed 10 minutes later by wild cheering on
/ the street. He went down to ascertain
! the cause, and a man who had just vol
unteered swung his hat and replied:
"Hnorayi We uns is gwine to send
fellers right ON to captur' Washington
and ole Abe Lincoin!"
! T,-N I