The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-03-25
THE FATAL SHOT.

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-ga THE FATAL SHOT. .Ifd
; Among the many fair castle homes
of England there could be none fairef
Or more stately than Coran Castle,
Suffolk. There lived Squire Coran,
q fine specimen of the olden school
stern, rugged, and nnbendihg as one Of
his own oaks. yet, Withai, genial and
kindly d The meanest peasant on his
estate walked briskerA when he saw
the Squire, and smiled Tor five min
utes after hearing his merry Fine
morning; first-rate weather."
Nearly forty years had passed since
the Squire laid his fair girl-Wiife in the
vault of the Corans ,anearly twenty
years since he has buried by, her side
the one SON of their short wedlock.-
Yet Coran Castle was not desolate.-
The "heir," though he had died
young, had lived long enough to leave
widow and two orphan babes to his
fathers care, These orphans were
now grown up, and the names of
Hugh and Emma resounded through
the castle in the full, CHEEKY voice of
the hearty old man. Dearly did he
love them both; but Hugh was some
what Wild and wayward, and would
sometimes thoughtlsssly thwart his
grandsire's imperious will. One sore
subject ever lay between them. The
old Squire was q giant in stature and
strength his youth had been signal
lied by feats of prowess and daring,
of which he never wearied to boast
Hugh Coran, on the contrary, had
small tastes for field sports, and being
small and delicate in frame constantly
took to himself his grandfather's care
less. SCOTS about . lady men . and
degeneracy." ga.
eNotzhalf a mile from. Goran Castle
was a large tract of heath and moor
land, very wild and lonely, and at that
time! infested with highwaymen. It
was necessary to cross this district to
reach the neighboring village Of Wret-
tel. One day: in the winter time,
Hugh Coran had occasion to go to this
village. He did not return when ex-
pected, and dinner was served with
out him.. just as it was over, he came
| in, excusing his tardiness by saying
that some suspicious characters had
been seen on the moor, and therefore
he had waited fol-. his companions or
his homeward journey. His mother
was about to commend what to he1
seemed prudence, when the Squire
broke into a storm of invective al
Hugh's fcaWardice.1l When had HI
1 feared any, mortal man-least Of all {
midnight robber? The moorland of
4 fered no shelter for band of high
I waymen, and he took shame that ont
of his race dreaded eneounter will
any single foe. Old as he was, III
would ride over Coran Moor alone a
midnight, and no hand should harm
] him or touch his purse. He blushet
yves, that was the singing word
for the last of the Corans of Coran.
In vain did Hugh answer gentl
that he did not think his courage woul,
fail if put usefulIy to the proof, tina
he owned he had but little of the reck
less daring of the ancient Corans bu
3 stiii he thonght-he modestly said b
o. thought, for the youth was no brag
gart-that he would risk his own LII
!, to, save anather's.g But the Squire
u last words were too much. His blu
eyes flashed, he threw down his knit
left his dinner unfinished, and h
G mother and sister in tears.
she odidGnet show himself all .th'
: evening. Late at night a asmessengt
d came from Wrettel. bearing the til
!, ings of the sudden and dangerous il
ness of an old friend of the Squire
E The man who brought the letter wei
{, on with another to a more distal
i, neighbor. aa .f.1sHsa .Hooi3l ssH .Esii
o. -a"I shall 60 at once" said Il
. Squire to Emma and her mother.
? must see him again in life.n -tog-
:. si"Thsn Rogers will attend you
ID suggested the widow, timidly. ,,5.m.
81 ~ No. Latymer Coran was no cou
hO popinjay, who could not take care
e. himself; he was not afraid of t
nd dark--cowards were unknown in
'' young days, saa ..iia.7a aai'iii ai'l ,1a'
Squire Coran went to his room
Al prepare for his journey. Boasti
never strengthens ones own coura.
" and he took great care that his pis
II ,wasrin good order. At another tin
o1 Notwithstanding the reality of |
&c. danger, he would not have taken
u