Three and One are One by Ambrose Bierce

three and one are one

Ambrose Bierce

in_the year 1861 Barr Lassiter, young man twenty- two , lived with_his parents and elder sister near Carthage , Tennessee the family were somewhat humble circumstances , subsisting cultivation small and not very fertile plantation Owning slaves, they were_not rated among " the best people " of_their neighborhood ; but they were honest persons good education , fairly well mannered and respectable any family could_be uncredentialed personal dominion over the sons and daughters ham the elder Lassiter had that severity manner that frequently affirms uncompromising devotion duty , and conceals warm and affectionate disposition he_was of_the iron of_which martyrs are made , but in_the heart of_the matrix had lurked nobler metal , fusible milder heat , yet never coloring nor softening the hard exterior both heredity and environment something of_the man 's inflexible character had touched the other members of_the family ; the Lassiter home , though not devoid domestic affection , was veritable citadel duty , and duty --ah, duty cruel death !

when_the war came on_it found in_the family , so_many others in_that state , divided sentiment ; the young man was loyal to_the Union , the others savagely hostile this unhappy division begot insupportable domestic bitterness , and offending son and brother left home with_the avowed purpose joining the federal army not hand was laid in_his , not word farewell was spoken , not good wish followed him out into_the world whither went meet with_such spirit might whatever fate awaited him

Making his way Nashville , already occupied by_the army general Buell, enlisted in_the first organization that he_found , Kentucky regiment cavalry , and due time passed through all the stages military evolution from raw recruit experienced trooper right good trooper he_was , too , although in_his oral narrative from_which this tale made there_was mention of_that ; the fact was learned from_his surviving comrades for Barr Lassiter has answered " here " to_the sergeant whose name death

two years after had joined his regiment passed through_the region whence had come the country thereabout had suffered severely from_the ravages war , having been occupied alternately ( and simultaneously) by_the belligerent forces, and sanguinary struggle had occurred in_the immediate vicinity of_the Lassiter homestead but of_this the young trooper was not aware

Finding himself camp near his home , he_felt natural longing to_see his parents and sister , hoping that in_them , him , the unnatural animosities of_the period had_been softened time and separation Obtaining leave absence , set foot in_the late summer afternoon , and soon after_the rising of_the full moon was walking the gravel path leading to_the dwelling in_which born

Soldiers war age rapidly , and youth two years are long_time Barr Lassiter felt himself old man , and had almost expected to_find the place ruin and desolation nothing , apparently, was changed at_the sight each dear and familiar object he_was profoundly affected his heart beat audibly , his emotion nearly suffocated him ; ache was in_his throat unconsciously quickened his pace until almost ran, his long shadow making grotesque efforts to_keep its place beside him

the house was unlighted , the door open approached and paused recover control himself his father came out and stood bare - headed in_the moonlight

" father ! " cried the young man , springing forward with outstretched hand --" father ! "

the elder man looked him sternly in_the face , stood moment motionless and without word withdrew into_the house bitterly disappointed, humiliated , inexpressibly hurt and altogether unnerved, the soldier dropped upon rustic seat deep dejection , supporting his head upon his trembling hand but he_would_not have : he_was too good soldier accept repulse defeat rose and entered the house , passing directly to_the "sitting- room "

it_was dimly lighted uncurtained east window low stool by_the hearthside, the only article furniture in_the place , sat his mother , staring into fireplace strewn with blackened embers and cold ashes spoke her -- tenderly , interrogatively, and with hesitation , but she neither answered , nor moved , nor seemed any_way surprised true , there had_been time for her husband apprise her of_their guilty son 's return moved nearer and was about lay his hand upon her arm , when his sister entered from adjoining room , looked him full in_the face , passed him without sign recognition and left the room door that was partly behind him had turned his head watch her , but when she was gone his eyes again sought his mother she too had left the place

Barr Lassiter strode to_the door by_which had entered the moonlight on_the lawn was tremulous , if_the sward were rippling sea the trees and their black shadows shook breeze blended with its borders, the gravel walk seemed unsteady and insecure step this young soldier knew the optical illusions produced tears he_felt them on_his cheek, and saw them sparkle on_the breast of_his trooper 's jacket left the house and made his way back camp

the next_day , with very definite intention , with dominant feeling that he_could rightly have named , again sought the spot within half - mile met Bushrod Albro, former playfellow and schoolmate, who greeted him warmly