Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-04-14
THE FATAL OATH.

1t was only SIX years ago, that two dis
tinguished citizens of Washington county,
Kentucky, whom | viii call Mcssrs, Bor
land and Harland both running for high
political place, met at barbecue to argue
their claims before the people. Between
them-as it had been between their fam
lies for generations beforc-a bitter hate
existed, dated back, believe, to quar-
rel about the time of the Revolution, or
prior to it, when in Virginia one family
claimed and held attachment to the King,
while the other clung to liberty. even
while 1t was nursing in the hands Of Pat
rick Henry. waiting strength to be placed
under the guardian care of a Washing
ton.
At this barbacue, both of these men
grayhaised they were too-appcarcd on the
stump without arms upon their person, so
persuaded by their friends, who knew their
hatred each to the other, and had no wish
to have their different party candidates cut
o!f-at least until they knew how the elec-
tion would turn.
But where fresh fuel is heapel upon old
embers, blaze is sure to rise An so in
this case. The speech of Mr. Borland
bore hard upon the party of Mr.. IIarland,
yet harder still upon himself The latter,
when it came to his turn to reply, spoke
with scathing bitterness and personality,
which fairly maddencd Borland. He bore
it. though chatting like a cagel tiger for a
time; but at last he broke over all restrain
ing bounls, and pitched into his opponent,
with an argument more so .fstitaL than
philosophical. Tho consequence was a
free fight, which though it lasted but a
lew momcnts, gave good grounds for a
challenge between the principals.
1t passed and meeting with rifles at
twenty PAGES was the result AT the first
fire. Borland fell dead with bali through
his head. Harland. also, fell MORALLY
wounded but fingered through the night
with his faculties so restrained that he pre-
pared his will and other documents, and
converscd with the only living one of his
family who was near him--a son, then
twenty years of age-about his affairs.
Before dying, he prepared package,
and had it scaled carefully, and then call
IBg for his son, said:
"William, my will is open and can be
read as soon as | pass away. But this
package contains private matter, and no
one but you can attend to it, for you arc
the last male of my race
81 will attend to any request which you
make my dear father. replied the unhap-
py son.
''l on must swear to me my boy, to full
fill this request! The seal must not be
broken until | have laid in my grave one
week. when you will have rcgained CON-
posure.ani strength for your work. Swear
to me to fulilll my wi>h!'
''lswear, my father!" replied the youth.
Harland uttered bitter curse against
the Borlands, and fell back on his pillow
dead.
Young Harland had his fathers remains
carried home, and on the same day two
funeral professions entered the same grave
yard at Springfield. where both had resi-
ded. The two enemies at the same hour
were buried, yet though mourning fam
lilies were they. past hatred seemed to be
burie,l with those who had fallen; for
for the mourners were young and knew not
yet the feelings Of hatred, which had so
strongly influenced their parents.
Two were there, who unknown to those
parents ha6 long cherished feelings most
opposite to hatred One was William
liarland and the other Floya Borland. the
lovely daughter of Col. Borland, who had
Just entered her eighteenth year. Her
brotlcr-whose age was the same as that
of Wm. Harlanl-an the two younger
sisters, were all the near relatives left bv
her parents to follow to the grave, al
though he had by his will provided guar
dian for those whom he knew his death
would leave all too much unprotected.
William and Flora, knowing their fam
lily fend had concealed their love; yet like
Juliet and Romeo, had often met and
male their vows that kith nor kin, should
never tear their hearts asunder And sad
was the occasion--though they changed
glances from which each read more than
their lips conll utter.
\ week passed by. and alone in his
chamber, William Harland opened the
sealed package which his father had given
him, and the instructions of which he had
sworn to obey. Why did his face blanch
to an ashen hue as he gazed upon it?--l
Why did it fall from his grasp as if his
hands were stricken with sudden palsy?
Because it was written thus:
William, my only boy. am the third
of my family who have fallen by the ac-
cursed hands of the Borlands. Of them,
there is but one left, Elias; of my family,
only you. Now, you are his superior in I
skill, in strength, and courage. You have
sworn to fulfill my iirection! Keep your
oath. or feel that a fathers curse hangs
over youl And oh! what on earth is more
fearful than fathers curse? 1t is my
wish that at once you seek quarrel with |
him, provoke him to an attack, and leave I
rot a male of the BorIands alive; for. with /
him, the last will perish. Remember, re-
vcngeis sweet
YouR FATHER"
"My Godl why did take that oath?-s
Elias is moi my foe, aud Flora is my love.
Were to kill him, she is lost to me for-,l
to the world--for the blow
which will kill him, will break her heart!
,roaned William.
All that night, in .wretcl,elncss. young