Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-05-11
M n

palm for physical, or at least facial,
charm. Ever since his coming among
them four years before there was
hardly a girl in all their circle in the
bustling city that had not declared
him simply lovely"
What his face lacked Was strength
and will. A physiognomist would have
turned from it speedily to study the
strong, virile features, the square jaw,
the firm set lips of the stalwart fellow
at his back. 1t required no unusual
power to tell that he and the silent
girl were brother and sister, and that
between them sat, despite the heat of
argument, a beloved and cherished
friend.
You'll never do it, even if you
muster in every man north of the Ohio,
Fred" said he of the dark, flashing
eyes. Our people will fight to the
last mainland then the women and
children will take it up"
Fred Benton shook his head in dis
sent-a sad smile on his face. For
q moment he ceased rowing and bent
earnestly forward:
You at least can have no sympathy
with the south, after the wrong done
your father, Paul, and I'm blessed if
l can understand your taking up the
cudgels for Alabama as you do"
The color deepened in Ladue's face.
Benton had scored a hit. The eyes
Of the girl brimmed with tears. There
was something of reproach in the
glance she threw at her stalwart
brother. Well as the story was known,
people rarely spoke of it to the Ladues
Four years old though it was, it still
cut deep.
Some time in 81 the editor of a lead
ing journal had received a letter com
mending to him Francis Ladue, who
purposed settling in the city and going
into business there. Presently Ladue
came and with him his little family
a fragile, sad-faced wife, a slender,
big-eyed boy of 16, and two young
children. Presently, too, marked copies
of southern papers were received, and
little by little their story was told to
an indignant and sympathetic com
munity. Natives of the south and
residents for years of a beautiful old
southern metropolis, they had been
banished from the home of their love,
driven from state to state, forbidden
ever to return, and compelled finally
to seek refuge among strangers in the
north, because Ladue, senior, owner
of the finest bookstore on the Gulf
coast, stood charged with having sold
to an old customer n copy of Uncle
Toms Cabin The business it had
taken Ladue nearly a quarter of a CEN
fury to build up was ruined in a day.
Ladue was shy and reserved. his wife
a semi-invalid and Paul a sensitive
plant. 1t was long before he seemed
to thaw out at all, but Fred Benton,
a neal neighbor when they passed into
the high school, was the youth he
finally tied to, and then this strangely
assorted pair Joined forces, apparently,
for good and all. Damon and Pythias
they called them; for, after the first
six months of shyness on Ladue's part
they became inseparable. High school
finished, Ladue was needed as assis'
tant in his fathers growing business
Benton had begun the study of law in
the office of the famous old firm OF
which his father was the head. But
before either had cast his first vote
the long heralded conflict between the
north and south had burst upon the
startled land. Sumter had fallen. The
president had called, first for 75,00(
men to defend the capital, then fol
500, 900 volunteers to prosecute the war
For a moment there came no answer
to Benton's tentative. Already he re
pented him of his words, yet there wa
something he longed to know. Fol
upwards of three years there had beer
no secret between him and his chosen
friend. Paul Ladue, who hitherto hat
held no communication with his NATIVE
state, was writing letters thither anc
feverishly, furtively, perhaps, await
ing reply. What did it portend?
On every hand men were quitting
the desk, the plough or the tools o
their trade, and locking to the recruit
ing offices. Benton's name had beer
sent to the governor for a commission
in one of the new regiments. Mas!
meetings were being held almost ever.
night, and energetic citizens were pass
ing subscription papers from desk t
desk that a fund might be raised for tn
benefit of the families of the rapid,
enlisting husbands and fathers.
Ladue gave again and again and CAV
gladly. How could | do otherwise?
said he. You and these kind peopl
babe me welcome when life was at it
blacklist. | am a %southerner. | can
not fight against mine own people n
matter what they did to me. l canno
support them, however, in their revol
against the government which shield
and protects me | will not refuse t
contribute towards the support Of tn
wives and children Of those who s
kindly welcomed my wife and children
and mine are grateful"
But what is Paul going to do?" wa
the question that startled him, on
morning. HE would not enlist wit
the boys here and he's writing lette
after letter to somebody there.
isn't possible he would fight for tn
people who broke his fathers heart"