The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1859-01-22
TIE FATAL OATH.

1t was only six years ago, that two dstin-
guished citizens of Washington county, Ky,
whom will call Mcssrs Borand and Harand,
both running for a high political place. met at
q barbecue to argue their claims before the
people. Between them-as it had been be-
tween their families for generations bcfore-a
bitter hate exist cd dated back, l believe, to a
quarrel 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 it was nurs
ling in the hands Of Patrick Henry, waiting,
strength, to be placed under the guardian care
of Washington.
At this barbecue both Of these mcn--grey-
haired they were, too-appearcd on the stump
without arms upon their persons. SO persuaded
by their friends, who knew of their hatred to
each to the other, and had no wish to have
their party candidates cut Off at least until
they knew how the election would turn.
But when fresh fuel is heapcd upon old EN-.
bcrs blaze is sure to rise The speech Of
Mr.. Borland bore hard upon the party of Mr..
Harand, yet harder still upon himself. The
latter, when it came to his turn to reply, spoke
with scathing bitterness and personality
which fairly maddened Borland. lie bore it
though chuing like Gagged tiger, for time
but at last he broke over all restraining bounds
and pitched into his opponent, with an argu
mcnt more so-fst-ical than philosophical. The
consequence was free fight, which tho it las
ted but few moments gave good grounds fol
challenge between the principals.
Itpassed and meeting with rifles at twenty
PAGES was the result. At the first fire Borrnt
fell dead, with a ball through his head. Har
land also fell MORALLY wounded, but fingered
through the night, with his faculties so restrai
ned that he prepared his will and other docn
1ncnts, and converscd with the only living ont
of his family who was near nina son, thcl
twenty years Of agc-about his affairs.
Before dying, he prepared package ant
had it sealed carefully, and then calling for hi
son, said:
William, my will is open and can be reat
ms soon as ! pass away. But this packag
contains private matter, and no one but yo
can attend to it, for you arc the only male Q
any race"
~ will attend to any request which yo
make my dear father" replied the unhapp.
son.
You must swear to me, boy, to fulfil thi
request? The seal must not be broken until
have laid in my grave one week, when you vii
have regaincd composurc and strength for you
work Swear to me to fulfil my wish"
81 swear, my father" replied the youth.
Harand uttered q bitter curse against til
Borands, and fell back on his pillow dead.
Young IIarand had his fathers remain
carried home, and on the same day two funel
al professions entered the grave yard at Spring
field, where both had resided The two enc
mics at the same hour were buried. Yet
though mourning families were there, past ha
tired seemed to be buried with those who ha
fallen, for the mourners were young and knc,
not yet the feelings of hatred which had S
strongly influenced their parents
Two were there, who unknown to those pc
rents had long cherished feelings most oppc
site to hatred. One was William Harland, tn
other was Flora Borland the lovely danghtt
of Col. Borland, who had just entered hi
eighteenth year. Her brother-whose ae
was the same as that of William Harand-
and the two younger sisters, were all the net
relatives left by her parents to follow to I'll
grave, although he had provided q guardia
for those whom he knew his death would leaV
all too much unprotected
William and Flora, knowing the family feu
had concealed their love- yet, like Juliet an
Romeo, had often met and made their vow
that kin nor kith should never tear their heart
asunder And sad was this occasion-thoug
they smoke not vet their fearful ewes cXclanG