Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1858-09-02

] so restrained that he prepared hi.
will and. other documents, and con
} yersed with the only living one o
! his family who was near him "a son
then twenty years Of age-about biz
; affairs. '@
Before dying, he prepared pack.
age, and had it scaled carefully. and
then calling fer his son, said:
"William, my will is open and car
be read as soon as / pass away
But this package contains a private
matter, and no one but you can at.
tend to it, for you are the last male
of my race"
Il will attend to any request which
you make, dear father replied the
unhappy son.
"You must swear TO me, boy, to
to fulfil this request. The seal must
| not be broken until / have laid in
my grave one week, when you have
regained composure aud strength for
your work! Swear to me to fulfil
my wish!'
II swear, my father!'' replied the
youth.
Harland uttered bitter curse
apainst the BoIIands. and fell back on
bis pillow dead.
Young Harland had bis fathers
remaius carried home, and on the
same day two funeral professions en-
tered the graveyard at Springfield,
where both had resided. The two
enemies at the same hour were buri-
ed. Yet though mourning families
were there, past hatred seemed to be
buried with those who had fallen; for
the mourners we're young and knew
not yet the feelings of hatred, which
had so strongly influenced their pa
rents.
Two were there. who, unbeknown
to those parents, bad long cherished
feelings most opposite to hatred
One was William Harland and the
other was Flora Borland, the lovely
daughter of Col Borland, who had
/ Just entered her eighteenth year.
Her brother-whoss age was the
same as that of William Harland-
and the two younger sisters, were all
the near relatives left by her parents
to follow 10 the grave, although he
had by bis will provided a guardian
for those whom he knew his death
would leave all too much unpro-
tected.
William and Flora, knowing Of
the family feud, had eoncesled their
love, like Juliet and Romeo, had Of
ten met, and made their vows that
kith nor kin should never tear their
hearts asunder. And sad was this
occasion = though they spoke not
yet their fearful eyes exchanged
glances from which each read more
than their lips could utter.
A week passed by, and alone in
bis chamber, William Hsrland open
ed the sealed package which his faith
er bad given him, and the instruc-
tons of which he had sworn to
obey. Why did his face blanch to
an aspen hue as be gazed upon it!
/ Why did it fall from his grasp, as il
his hands were stricken With sud.
den palsyf Because II vas written
thus
"William, my only boy, I am the
third of my family who have faller
| by the accursed hands of the Bor-
lands. OF them there is but one left
Elias; of my family, only you. Nov
you are his superior in skill, IL
strength and courage. You have
sworn to fulfil my direction KeeI
! your oath, or feel that a fathers curse
hangs over you! And, oh, what or
earth is more fearful than father.
curse? 1t ismy wish that at once you
seek quarrel with him, provoke him
to an attack; and leave not a male O
the Borlands alive; for with him the
last will perish +! Remember, re
venge is sweet.
"YoUR FATHER"
! "My God! Why did | take that
oath? Elias is not my foe, and Flo
ia rs my love! Were / to kill him
she is lost to me foreyer--lo it to tht
world-for the blow which would xii
, him would break her heart!!" groanet
William.
J All that night, in ,wretchedness
young Harland walked up and dow
! his chamber in agony Of mind, stud
!, yiDg what to do. He would fain hay'
] fled the place, but his oath was, In hi