The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-05-24

always do as am told. There arc
plenty Of others who can have the pro-
motions. l am perfectly content to be
one of Captain Langs Red Hot Boys
as they call u.s."
"And we are just as proud Of you as
Ii you were colonel" his father an
swered
And then came Gettysburg. Nothing
was ever heard of Harry Treadwell
after that, except the governments re-
port that fell like 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.
"AIary Treadwell! Never speak to
me as II you believed 1t again! Our
boy never did such thing! It's some
awful mfstaker"
mo, Aaron, never WILL" she re
piled. Il didn't mean that believed
he had done 1t. But even II he did,
"But he didn't! He never could. It
wasn't in him-not our boy! It's hap
| pened before, such mistakes, Mary.
| They cannot always tell"
| tfp,,4 I,o sl;1 l,n o.v,~
| again Mary Treadwell's voice broke
as she thought Of how much obloquy
she would endure to see her son again.
Come home again! He never can.
Mary. Harry's life has gone for his
country. He is dead, and we must
make his good name i've"
As the years rolled on the proud Ia
ther lived up to his faith In his sons
innocence. Bravely he faced the little
world at Trescott 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 Treadwell knows that
his boy died at Gettysburg; that he is
proud OF him and always will be and
is glad that he raised him to do 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 oil but honor.
Whenever the great annual eneamp.
ment OF the Grand Army came to New
England he made point Of attending
with his wife. The faith he had kept
alive for generation brought him in.
to some prominence with the veterans
OF his native state.
Some effort was made to clear the
record, but 1t was impossible to find
| evidence that would overthrow the
governments position. It was clearly
established there had been 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
II don't care for myself what the gov
ernment says. It doesn't make any
difference with what I think would
be glad II 1t could be done, hut evel
In Harry's fathers mind he is an limo
cent man. knew my son, and know
he never deserted the ranks"
There was something grandly appeal
ing in the firm confidence of the whit,
haired man. and it was not without it.
influence on others. He was nm OH
man now, ard his unbroken belief wa
wonderful in the eyes Of those wh'
heard of it.
+ His townspeople came almost t,
share 1t, and oftentimes they endeav
ored to dissuade him from tnking ,
long journey to some encampment
This was especially true when tn
great gathering was held In Boston b
1904. Aaron Treadwell was owe
eighty years old, and they feared th
cxertion would be too much for him
But he shook his head and persisted.
II know we are old, Mary and /, bu
we must stand up for our boy rs lon
as there is the breath OF life In us. III
was q good boy; a brave soldier. 81
| fought seventeen battles, and he's ney
| ler had any one else to stand up TO
him.
And so the aged father and mothe
/ spent that week in Boston, feeling tina
all the wonderful display of patriotisr
| and honor was as much for their so
i as for the others.
II They were tenderly cared Tor 3
those who knew them. Captain Ian,
I i who went with the other Trescott We
: erans, came around one morning
Aaron Treadwefi's room.
"There isn't much going on tn
morning. Come with me to the Cadet
: ar1nory, where the Loyal Legion ha
Its headquarters. They have the mo-
q Interesting collection Of relics of Il
civil war have ever seem"
: aaron Treadwell and his wife wei
Ii delighted. Everything connected viii
Is the civil war had come to possess
u vital interest to them.
T. Suddenly the old man fell to the fo'
In a faint They picked him up te
s. derly and carried him into one of Il
,f rooms of the Loyal Legion. Mai
3 Treadwell batlled his head, trying
,e keep back the tears, and with restor
tiyes he was soon revived.
e. AS soon as he opened his eyes
is raised himself and stood erect,
"A strange light cleaning in his eyes, b
d hands trembling with an eager excii
tt ment. Taking his wife's arm tenderl
r. he said, II want to be alone with q
t. wife in there just a minute, II may
a There were only few In the roo