Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-06
do you think SO, sir?"
81 do, indeed. From Virginia"
"You don't think that Virginia will Sc

do you think SO, sir?'
Il do, indeed. From Virginia"
you don't think that Virginia will Sc
cede, father?"
what" cried Mrs. Peyton. joining in the
discussion with great animation. DO you
think my old state would refrain from JOIN
ing her sister states? Never! l, for one,
would renounce her If she did,"
The gentle southern matrons eyes flashed
fire as she spoke, and the sudden mantfes-
tation Of intense feeling coming from his
gentle mother astonished the young officer
more than anything that had been said.
"You will find. Boyd said his sister,
noting his surprised look. ''that the women
are as determined as the men"
More SO, really believe" said her twin
brother promptly.
when I picked up little Tempe Amman out
Of the crowd at the parade she screamed
and fought me like little wildcat, saying
she wanted to shoot the 'Nunited States. !"
Good for the child She has the right
spirit" laughed Willis.
willis said his father reprovingly, II
ferent Light. It is a very serious thing for
us who have fought under the United
States flag to turn against It,"
Eyes, sir" said Willis. abashed for once
in his life at his fathers stern admonition.
81 suppose you will find it so, Boyd"
continued the colonel. you are fresher in
the service than L"
EYES," answered the other. gravely. II
|
Boyd, you don't mean" cried his sister
fearfully
II don't mean anything now, Pink" in
terrupted the young man hastily. 1T Is q
subject a man would have to think over"
MY son. my son. cried his mother, you
don't mean to tell me that you would hest
tate as to where your duty lay7'
Mother, Is mans duty always SO plain
to him that he can discern it without a mo-
ment's reflection?"
Good God, sir" cried his father, spring.
ing to his feet and putting his fist heavily
down upon the table. and In his excitement
fOrgetful OF the presence OF any one but
his son. high index to the depths of his
feeling indeed, do you mean to tell me
that son OF mine can hesitate between
ape ainGoln's cause and that of his own
Father" cried Boyd desperately, turning
very pale as he saw the issue being forced
upon him, don't. beg Of you, speak SO to
me now! I have not decided anything. I
swear to you my mind has never been
made up. This has all come upon me so
suddenly. never dreamed Of such a thing.
It's shock Give me time to accustom
myself to it. I want to think It over"
Think it over, sir!" cried the colonel
Gvrathfully.
stop, Col. Peyton!" said his wife quickly,
Ine boy Is right. Give him time. He has
not been IN the thick Of this for months. as
we have for years even"
You said yourself, sir,'' said Willis.
that 1T was hard thing to turn your
fought"
Il am sure Boyd will come around all
right, said Pink. nervously. Mary Amman
will persuade him."
Thank you. mother. Willis, Pink, ALL
! shall try to do right. but I would not
be your son. father. II did not think this
over. Ny adherence would not be worth
anything II gave 1t lightly. must have
time. Give me a lHtle time, father No,
don't look at me In that stern and focbid-
ding way, sir. I only ask Tor a breathing
space"
by jove, my son. you shall have I'll
Perhaps I was harsh at the moment.
really forgot the circumstances BIT We
win talk Il over at our leisure. The whole
subject shall be examined, and then I