Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-06-10

II reckon. gentlemen. Tn the man you want
officer who often prolonged his visit
until late in the evening. Mr.. Isaac
Newton Lambert, though occupying his
tent in camp, had become otherwise an
inmate OF The Walton establishment,
for, unknown TO the beloved invalid,
her daughters were actually taking
boarderB."
Another boarder, who had come and
moved a modest bachelor kit into one
Of the upstairs rooms facing the east
and overlooking the little camp, was Mr.
Barton Potts. better known 10 all the
inmates as Cousin Bart" indeed, 1t
was due IN great measure to bis advice
and influence that Mr.. Lambert was ad-
mitted. Impoverished as were the Wal
tons-in dire need, as ii turned out,
now that the resolute woman who 50
many years had managed the family
affairs was stricken down--nothiBg but
prompt action and the helping hands
of kinsfolk and friends stood between
them and starvation. Squire Potts
"Old Man Potts." as he was generally
callcd-had urged on Mrs. Walton in
November the propriety Of her abandon
ing the place entirely and taking shell
ter for herself and her daughters under
his roof. Even though in desperate
need, she had declined-for one reason,
because that would bring Esther and
Walton Scroggs together again; for an
other, because she could not bear TO
think Of the old home becoming the
abiding-place of all the houseless, shift
less negroes in the neighborhood. She
had offered the house, garden and cot
ton-Gelds still remaining in her hands
TO any purchaser at almost any price;
but who was there to invest in such
Improbable estate at such timer
In the midst Of these cares and
troubles, which she could share with
her daughters, were others which she
could not. She durst not let them
know on how slender II thread her life
depended. That was one secret, held
MS yet by their old family physician and
herself alone, because the knowledge
of 1t would bring such grief to 1.-THE
girls" There was another, which she
prayed they might never know, because
It's very existence brought such grief
and shame to her; Floyd, her youngest
son, her darling, who had fought SO
bravely by his brothers side through
the hottest battles of the war, had "ab-
iured the faith Of his fathers" as she
bitterly expressed it-had become intl-
mate with the federal officers and sol
diers, instead Of sticking closely 10
reading law IN the Office Of her old
friend Judge Summers at Quitman.
And then, worse than all, she learned
through his own desperate letter that
he had enlisted In the cavalry. That
within a week thereafter, rcpenting OF
his "mad folly" he should have de-
serted the service and fed the country,
was IN the poor stricken womnn's eyes
no crime whatever. That he should
have enlisted, sworn 10 defend the flag
which was TO her the emblem OF in-
solent triumph over the fallen fortunes
Of the land she loved, the only land she
ever knew, the once happy, sunny
south--that was infamy.
Not until weeks after her boy had
taken the step that made him fugitive
from justice did she learn, or begin to
imagine the chain of circumstances
that led 10 It ali. While occupying n
desk In the Office Of Summers ~ Todd,
attorneys and counselors at law, Floyd
also occupied seat at the table Of n
widowed relative who, left penniless
at the close Of the war, had To struggle
hard to keep body and soul together.
The cfforts OF Judge Summers had been
sufficient to save the house in which she
dwelt, and taking boardcrB" became
her vocation. But paying boardcra
were scarce, and even when her table
was crowded with homeless people her
pockets were often empty. When
Sweets squadron Of the --th u. S. cav
airy marched into town and took Btar
tion there, the application Of some Of
tho officers for "rntiona and qunrters"
under her roof was ooldly declined.
They went 10 hotel, and suffered, as
they deserved. the pangA of indigestion.
Later II transpired that two Of them
went 10 church, ond this put an un-
looked for factor into the problem of
how 70 treat these conquerinR but un-
popular heroes. Rev. Mr.. Pickett, OF 81
paul'g might condone bis porishioners'
refusal TO supply them with bodily food,
but 81 was impossible 10 refuse to min
lister 10 their spiritual necessities.
Their religious faith was identical with
that Of his flock; 1t was in political faith
that they differed. One might decline
70 sit ut meat with them, but could
hardly decline to Sit with them at wor-