The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-03-08
StorJ Of Two BrOihrrS-Their Desperate
Fight

"Not long since" said a gentleman, 81
was travelling in one Of our remote settle
menls, when the following incident took
place:
Two brothers, pioneers in that region had
together settled upon tract of aeveralhun-
dred acres. For a while they carried on
their business harmo1iously together. and
they became prosperous and rich LIue
differences alter a while arose beiween
them relative TO the management OF Their
estates which finally ended in a division oil
The property One brother, whose tastes
ran TO grain growing, took the uplands,
while the other. whose tastes ran 10 Aocks
ond herds, took the lowlands as best adapt
ed TO his pure nit. The division was ami
cably made. and for time al! went on we'll
The grain growing brother, owing 10 his
greater industry and better management,
soou ouIstriPped bis more indolenI brother,
and in proportion his riches increased
he put on airs Of superority and became
inclined TO contrast his fine condition with
that of his brother He soon began 10 find
er's cattle and horses, and oiwithsianding
a written agreement which was made on
the partition OF the estate 10 The contrary,
he would occasionally appropriate a stray
steer, and turn away runaway colt or
horse into The borders or commons beyond
him. Other little irriialions arose which
extended finally 10 The families OF The broth
ers, and resulted in growing coldness and
dslrust. Faults, which if seen, were over
looked when they were mutually depend
ent, were now greatly exaggerated, and
The old love and affection which grew out
of common necessities and snfTerings had
almost died ont. elimination aud recrim
nations succeeded, aud occasion only was
wanting for open hostility and personal
combat. The occasion came-how, | need
not say-and desperate fight wss>in pio-
gress when came into The nei2hborhood
OF the brothers. They had been milling
each other Tor seVera hours, aud when
saw Them, the larger had the other down,
and il seemed 10 me that he had greatly the
advantages. He had already seized his
brother's watch and pocket book, aud was
now demanding his cattle aud horses as
condition OF settlement, under thfea; that
If they were not surrendered, his farm
should be taken, and himself and family
sell adrift. To neither OF these conditions
would the smaller, weaker, but wiry and
spuuky brother submit. | saw that while
The sympaIhies OF the bysIanders was gen-
orally in favor OF the weaker broher. yet
that tear of the stronger prevented any inter-
vention TO stop the disgraceiul contest. |
watched the contest for several hours, and
was aslonished TO see the plsek and deler-
mination, as well as The skilliul maneuvres
OF the weaker brother under The powerful
blows oil his adversary. When lei the
ground both parties, besides being bloody
and garment torn had become much ex-
hausled, but il was apparent that neither
would give up except by absolute hunger
and exhaustion. | have not yet heard how
the contest ended, but from what saw ]
think The stronger brother will keep The
watch and money, but some compromise
will have 10 be made about The horses, and
cattle and the real estate. could see that
the threat of exile 10 himself and ia niy
from their land aud home gave a desperate
energy TO the weaker brother, and that it
could only be accomplished by his death.
There was, however, so mucn pride and
pluck on both sides, that | shall not be sur
prised 10 hear that The quarrel ended by
the Intervention of mutual friends.
The above aImos, improbable story
comes from a gentleman OF character and
veraciiy, and is given as an illustration o!
Christian civilization in The United States.
The relative popularity OF the English
poor house and prison among the class
which fills Them is very clearly shown by
the following dialogue which took place al
a reformatory penileIliary, and is reported
rsrbatim by lady in lsler 10 the London
Times
"Whal is yoGr name ?-E-H--,
"Wha is your age !-Eighleen, please,
"Are your parents alive ?-Never lad
none.
"Who brought you up !-Chslsea Work
Us please.