The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-07-09

I always do Is I am told. There are
plenty Of others who can have the pro.
motions. am perfectly content to be
one of Captain Lang's Red Hot Boys
rs they call u.s."
Ind we are just as proud Of you as
if you were q colonel" his father an.
swered.
And then came Gettysburg Nothing
was ever heard of Harry Treadwell
after that except the governments re-
pert that fell Like q shadow upon his
parents life.
The records stated that he had been
one Of party of seven seasoned men,
who, having passed through so many
battles, decided not to face the i'm
pending carnage Of that day and de-
serted.
You couldn't blame Harry" his
mother said in her effort to soften the
blow to her husbands pride.
Mary Treadwell. Never speak to
me as if you believed it again. Our
boy never did such thing! It's some
awful mistaken
"No, Aaron, I never will" she re-
piled. Il didn't Mean that I believed
he had done it. But even if he did
But he didn't, lie never could. 1t
wasn't in him-n0t our boy, It's hap
pened before, such mistakes, Mary
They cannot always tell"
But If he did he might come home
again Mary TreadweIl's voice
broke rs she thought OF how much
ObloQuy she would endure to see her
sou again.
Come home again. He never can,
Mary. Harry's life has gone for his
country. lie is dead, and we must
make his good name liver'
AS the years rolled on the proud ia
Their lived UP to his faith in his sons
innocence. Bravely he faced the little
world at Prescott village. Once only
he raised his voice in his sons defense
in the old brick store.
My boy never deserted" he said
with proud conviction. You folks may
think what you please. But never for
get that Aaron Treadwel knows that
MS boy died at Gettysburg; that he is
proud Of him and always will be and
is glad that lie raised him to Go his
share of the fighting on that day"
Thus for nearly forty years Aaron
Treadwell walked among his fellow
farmers with head erect To him his
son was dead to all but honor.
, Whenever the great annual encamp-
ment of the Grand Army came to New
England he made a point of attending
with his wife. The faith lie had kept
alive for a generation brought him in
to some prominence with the veterans
Of his native state.
, Some effort was made to clear the
, record, but it was impossible to find
evidence that would overthrow the
governments position. 1t was clearly
established there had been a party of
seven who had escaped from the lines
that night
There's no use trying to do any
Thing, boys" old Aaron Treadwell said.
? Il don't care for myself what the gov
2 eminent says. 1t doesn't make any
r difference with what l think 1 would
: be glad if it could be done, but ever
in Harry's fathers mind be is an limo
cent man. l knew my son, and know
he never deserted the ranks
There was something grandly appeal
: ing in the firm confidence of the white
haired man, and it was not without its
influence on others. He was an old
man now, and his unbroken belief was
. wonderful in the eyes of those who
? heard of it.
His tOwnspe0ple came almost to
share it, and Oftentimes they endeav-
: Ored to dissuade him from taking a
: long journey to some encampment.
!, This was especially true when the
great gathering was held in Boston in
1904 Aaron Treadwel was over
eighty years old, and they feared the
exertion wculd be too much for him.
: But he shook his head and persisted.
: Il know we are old, Mary and 1, but
2 we must stand up for our boy as long
: rs there is the breath of life in us. lie
was a good boy; a brave soldier. He
+ fought seventeen battles, and he's new
: err had any one else to stand up for
L him"
And so the aged father and mother
I spent that week in Boston, feeling that
D all the wonderful display Of patriotism
, and honor was as much for their son
$ rs for the others.
They were tenderly cared for by
/ those who knew them. Captain Lang,
;. who went with the other Prescott vet
z Grams, came around one morning to
Aaron TreadWells room.
There isn't much going on this
morning. Come with me TO the Cadets
armory, where the Loyal Legion has its
headquarters. They have the most in
teresting collection OF relics of the civil
O 1war 1 have ever seen"
Aaron TreadWell and his wife were
q delighted. Everything connected with
\ the civil war had come to possess a
: vital interest to them.
\ Suddenly the old man fell to the floor
= n n faint. They picked him Up ten
Cerly and carried him into one Of the
7 .,.r;D, MTnfs