The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-06-29

one Of Captain Lang's Red Hot Boys
as they call u.s." ec
"And We are just az proud Of you as
II you were colonel" his father an
gwered.
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.
"Mary Treadwell! Never speak to
me as If you believed 1t again! Our
boy never did such thing! It's some
awful mistaken
mo, Aaron, l never WILL" she re-
piled. II didn't mean that I believed
he had done it. But even If he did,
"But he didn't! He never could. It
wasn't In him-not our boyl It's hap
pened before, such mistakes, Mary.
They cannot always tell"
But If he did he might come home
again. Mary Treadwell's voice broke
as she thought of how much obloauy
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 live"
AS the years rolled on the proud fa-
ther 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 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 all but honor.
Whenever the great annual encamp-
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 it was impossible to find
evidence that would overthrow the
governments position. It 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.
II don't care for myself what the gov
eminent says. It doesn't make any
difference with what think. would
be glad II it could be done. but ever
In Harry's fathers mind he is an inno-
cent man. 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 1t 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 townspeople came almost to
share 1t, and oftentimes they endeav-
ored to dissuade him from taking
long journey to some encampment.
This was especially true when the
great gathering was held In Boston in
1904. Aaron Treadwell was over
eighty years old, and they feared the
exertion would be too much for him.
But he shook his head and persisted.
IL know we are old, Mary and 1, but
we must stand up for our boy as long
as there is the breath of life in u.s. lie
was a good boy; a brave soldier, He
fought seventeen battles, and he's new
er had any one else to stand up for
him."
And so the aged father and mother
spent that week in Boston, feeling that
all the wonderful display of patriotism
and honor was as much for their son
as for the others.
They were tenderly cared for by
those who knew them. Captain Lang,
who went with the other Trescott vet
Grams, came around one morning to
Aaron Treadwells room.
"rhere 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
interesting collection Of relics of the
civil war I have ever seen."
Aaron Treadwell and his wife were
delighted. Everything connected with
the civil war had come to possess a
vital interest to them.
Suddenly the old man fell to the floor
in a faint They picked him up ten
derly and carried him into one Of the
rooms of the Loyal Legion. Mary
Treadwell bathed his head, trying to
keep back the tears, and with restora-
lives he was soon revived.
AS soon as he opened his eyes he
raised himself and stood erect, a
rs-y~ IL L. IA. III