DeForest paced restlessly in the small sitting room of his father’s house. He paused judging the Shaker furniture that his mother refused to admit had gone out of style after the Civil War. He continued pacing. He needed to find the words to tell his new wife of his decision. Just then, Viola entered the room.
“Deed, you look worried.” She called him by his nickname.
“Viola, I met with the Gamesmen Society today and Ignacius and I are setting out on an adventure. I leave for Charleston in three days, we sign aboard a merchant ship and sail for Portsmouth, England.”
“But what shall I do?” Viola’s eyes filled with tears.
“You’ll stay here in Chickamauga with my parents. I’ll return a wealthy man in two years.”
Viola sat down and buried her face in her shaking hands.
“You need something to calm you down and calm your fears.” DeForest went to the sideboard and mixed a drink.
1/2 peach, cut into thick slices
3 or 4 fresh mint leaves
1 ounce water
1 cube pure cane sugar
2 ounces Canadian whiskey
1 sprig mint
1 thin peach slice for garnish
Muddle all ingredients, except whiskey, in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and whiskey. Shake and strain into an ice-filled old fashioned glass and garnish with a peach slice and a sprig of mint.