Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-01-31


and then it was silent. But above
this human breathlessness the rs OF
rushed and sang, and the wind rus
tied above the tree-tops with an in
difference that seemed obtrusive.
Col. Starbottle felt it, and in a mo-
ment Of sublime pre-occupation, with.
out looking around, waved his cane
behind him, warningly to all nature,
and said, 'Shu'
The men were now within a few
feet of each other. A hen ran across
the road before one of them. a
teathery seed vessel, waited from a
way-side tree fell at the feet of the
other. And, unheeding this irony
of nature, the two opponents came
nearer. erect and rigid, looked in
each others eyes, and-passed
Col Starbottle had to be lifted
from the cart. "This yer camp is
played out" he said gloomily, as he
affected to be supported into the
Magnolia. With what further ex-
preston he might have indicated his
feeling it was impossible to say, for
at that moment, Scott Joined the
group. did you speak to me ?" he
asked OF the Colonel, dropping his
hand, as if with accidental tamiliari-
ty on that gentleman's shoulder
The Colonel, recognizing some oc-
cult quality in the touch, and some
unknown quantity in the glance Of
his questiopcr, cOntented himself by
replying mo sir" with dignity.
A few rods away, York's conduct
was as characteristic and peculiar.
"You had a mighty fine chance-why
didn't you plump him ?" said Jack
Hamlin, as York drew near the bug
gy Because ! hate him." was the
reply, heard only by Jack. Contra
ry to popular belief, this reply was
not Kissed between the lips of the
speaker, but was said in an ordinary
tone. But Jack HamIin, who was
an observer of mankind, noticed that
the speakers hands were cold, and
his lips dry, a he helped him into
the buggy, and accepted this SEEM
ing paradox with smile
When Sandy Bar became convinc-
ed that the quarrel between York
and Scott could not be settled after
the usual local methods, it gave no
further concern thereto. But pres
emily it was rumored that the Am
ity" claim was in litigation, and that
its possession would be expensively
by each of the partners. AS
it was well known that the claim in
question was worked out and worth
less, and the partners, whom it had
enriched, had talked of aban-
doning it but day or two before the
quarrel, this proceeding could only
be accounted for as gratuitous spite.
Later, two San Francisco lawyers
made their appearance in this guile
less Arcadia, and were eventually
taken into the saloons, and-what
was pretty much the same thing
the condolences of the inhabitants.
The results Of this unhallowed init
macy were many subpenss and, in
deed, when the "Amity" claim came
to trial, all of Sandy Bar that was
not in compulsory attendance at the
county seat came there from curiosi-
ty. The gulches and bitches for
miles around were deserted. | do
not propose to describe that already
famous trial. Enough. that, in the
language Of the plaintiffs counsel,
lit was one OF no ordinary sigaii
canoe, involving the Inherent rights
of that untiring industry which had
developed the Pactoian resources of
this golden land "-and, in the home
lier phrase Of Col. Starbottle, "a fuss
that gentlemen might hev settled in
ten minutes over a social glass eff
they meant business or in ten Sec
onds with revolver eff they meant
fun" Scott got a verdict from which
York Instantly appealed. 1t wa
said that be had sworn to spend his
last dollar ia the struggle.
In this way Sandy Bar began to
accept the enmity Of the former part
ners a. life long teud, and the fact
that they had ever been friends wac
The few who expected
TO learn from the trial the origin of
the quarrel, were disappointed.
the various coniectures, that
which ascribed some occult feminine
influence as the cause, was naturally
popular in a camp given to dubious
compliment of the sex. my word
for it, gentlemen" said Col Starbot-
tle-gentleman of the old school
there's some lovely creature at the
bottom of this" The gallant Colonel
then proceeded to illustrate his theo-
~ by divers sprightly stories, such
as gentlemen Of the old school are in
the habit of repeating, but which
from Difference to the prejudices Of
gentlemen of more recent school, |
refrain from transcribing here. But
it would appear that even the Col
onePs theory was fallaciOus. The
only woman who personally might
have exercised any influence over
the partners was the pretty daughter
, "old man Folinsbeo," of Poverty
Flat, at whose hospitable house
which exhibited some comforts rare
in that crude civiization-both York
and Scott were frequent visitors.
Yet into this charming retreat York
strobe one evening, q month after
the quarrel, and, beholding Scott sit
ting there, turned to the fair hostess
with the abrupt inquiry: "Do you
love this man ?" The young woman
thus addressed returned that answer,
at once spirited and evasive, which
would occur to most of my readers
in such an exigency. Without an
other word York left the house.
Miss 10" heaved the least possible
sigh as the door closed on York's
curls and square shoulders, and then
like o good girl turned to her insult
ed'guest. But would you believe it,
dear" she afterwards related to an
intimate friend, 1.-THE other creature,
after giowering at me for moment,