Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-09-03
THE Fatal OATH.

1t was only SIX years ago, tha
two distinguished citizens Of Wash
ington county, KY, whom I vii
call Messrs. Borland and Harland
both running for a high political
place, met at barbecue to argue
their claims before the people. Be.
tween them-as it had been be-
tween their families for generations
before-a bitter hate had existed,
dating back, I believe, to aquarrel
about the time of the revolution, or
prior to it, when in Virginia one
family claimed and held attach
ment to the king, while the other
clung to liberty, even while it was
nursing in the hands of Patrick
Henry, waiting strength, to be
placed nnder the guardian care Of
a Washington.
At this barbecue both Of these
men-grey haired they were, TOO
appeared on the stump without
arms upon their persons, SO per-
sraded BY their friends, who knew
Of their hatred to each other, and
had no wish to have their party
candidates cut of-at least until
they knew how the election would
turn. @
But when fresh fuel is heaped
upon old embers a blaze is sure to
raise. The speech Of Mr.. Borland
bore hard upon the party of Mr..
Harla"d, yet harder still upon him
self. The latter, when it came to
his turn to reply, spoke with a sea-
thing bitterness and personality,
which fairly maddened Borland.-
He bore it, though chafng like
Gagged tiger, for a time; but at last
he broke over all restraining bounds
and pitched into bis opponent, with
an argument more so-tst-ical than
philosophical. The consequence
was a free fight, which though it
lasted but a few moments gave good
grounds FIR a challenge between
the principals.
It passed, and a meeting with
rifles at twenty PAGES was the re-
suit. At the first fire Borland fell
dead, with ball through his head.
Harland, also fell mortally woun-
ded, but fingered through the
night, with his faculties so restrain
ed that he prepared his will and
other documents, and conversed
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 a
package, and had ir=sealed care
fully, and then calling for the son,
said:
" William, my will is open and
can 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 only male
Of my race"
ii will attend to any request
which you make 1uy dear father"
replied the unhappy son. |
80 You must swear to me, boy, to
fulfil this request? The seal must
no. be broken until ! have laid in
ny grave one week, whenayou will
nave .regained colnposure and
strength for your work. Swear to
ne to fulfil my wish7 p
" | swear, my father,'' replied
he youth.
Harland uttered a bitter curse
against the Borlands, and fell back
lpon bis pillow dead.
7 eung Harland had his fathers
:emaips carried home, and on the
same day two funeral professions
the grave yard at Spring
ield, where both had resided. The
wo enemies at the same hour were
'uried. Yet, though mourning
were theirs, past hatred
eemed to be buried with those
Who had fallen, for the mourners
we're young and knew not yet the
Of hatred, which h&d so
trongly influenced their parents.
Two were there, who, entire y
Unknown to those parents had long
'herished feelings most opposite to
,atred. One was William Har-
and, the ether was Flora Borland,
ho lova1v daurhtfr Co1 Rorland