Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-09-12

| found to tread the falling floor ant
while with one hand clingirg to tn
blackened ratters, with the other to sez
in succession three children, and hanC
them safely to those outside? Mr.
Fooks, in short, was that, grieve to say
anomalous character in Ireland, brave
good man, who would not fight
The estate which bounded mis- hac
lain, have said, for some time unoccu
pied; but at length q tenant for it ap
peared in the person of professed duel
ist from Tipperary, who having made
even that fiery locality too hot to bolo
him, and possessing as much money as
impudence, resolved to settle at Barna
gore, and break fresh ground among its
quiet inhabitants. Tom Magennis, fol
such was his name, had not long been
settled in his new residence ere he man
aged to establish several "very pretty
quarrels'' with his neighbors. He was
an unerring shot, seldom failing to kill
his man at any number of PAGES, and
was as prone to take offeDse as the fa-
nous Fighting, Fitzgerald. He challenged
one young gentleman for accidentally
touching him with his whip, as they
were leaping together across q stream,
while following the hounds. All at
tempts at reconciliation were rejected
by the scornful bully. They met, and
an hour afterwards a fine lad, the hope
of his house, was carried home lifeless
corpse.
The neighboring gentlemen tried to
send Magennis to Coventry" but it
would not do; he was man of
good family, and tried to maintain his
position in society literally at the
point of the sword. Every one wished
him away, but who was to bell the
cat7"
1t happened that small field, be-
longing to Mr.. Fooks, lay near the up
per corner of Mr.. Magennis' lawn, to
which the latter wished to have it an
nexed. He wrote letter, couched in
very high and mighty style, requiring
his pacific neighbor to sell him the
piece of ground in question. A polite
reply in the negative was returned, and
Magennis, boiling with rage at having
his will opposed, fastened to seek an
interview Yith Mr.. Fooks. He found
that gentleman seated in his pleasant
parlor, surrounded by his books and
after the first salutations had passed,
Magepnis began abruptly,
"Mr. Fooks, am l to understand,
from yonr letter, that you refuse to let
ME have the lawn feld?'
Certainly, sir; 1 have no intention
whatever of parting with it,
g. But 1 tell you that want it, and
have it l will ~
"I should be sorry" said Mr.. Fooks,
mildly, to disoblige neighbor; but
am sure Mr.. Magennis will see the i'm
propriety of pressing the matter fur
ther when 1 repeat that 4 am quite de-
termined not to sell the field"
You won't sell it,
"No, SIR"
"Then," said Magennis, with q fear
full imprecation, if you don't give me
the field yon shall give me satisfaction
and maybe I'll find your heirs, execu-
tors, administrators, and assigns easier
to deal WITH
A quiet smile passed over the coun-
tenance of Mr.. Fooks.
"Do you mean, Mr.. Magepnis, that
you wish me to 6ght duelI''
"Certainly name your friend, and
I'll send mine to meet him"
81 am not much versed in these mat
ters," said Fooks, "but l believe, as
a challenged party, have right to
select the weapons and the place of
~
"Oh, certainly; nothing can be fairer.
Choose what you like, my boy; the
sooner the better" And the bully rub
bed his hands with delight, at the pros
pect of staying another man.
Then," said Mr.. Fooks, " wish to
dispense entirely with seconds, to fight
on horseback, and to arrange that each
of US can come armed with whatever
weapons we moy choose. Let the place
of meeting be the wide common be-
tween the school house and the mill
the time twelve o'clock tomorrow and
let him who is first driven off the field
be declared the vanquished.h
"Queer arrangements as ever
heard" said Magennis. Why, my
good fellow, don't you know that if |
come armed with a long sword, and
mounted on my hunter Highflyer, I'll
ride you down, and split you like a
lark before you can say Jack Robin
son? However, that's your lookout,
not mine; so of course l agree to what
you propose, and have the honor to
wish you very good morning"
He then walked away, marVeling
much at the 'coolness of his antagonist,
and thinking what fun he would have
on the morrow. Every one he met was
told of the jest. and invited to witness
the combat. Great was the consterna-
ton caused by the news through Barna-
gore.
I" To think" said Mr.. Penrose, one of
the chief land proprietors, !" that our
own honest Holy Fooks, who would not
willingly offend worm, is to be slaugh-
tered by a scoundrel; it mustn't be. I'll
go to him and offer to fight him in his
stead"
Accordingly he repaired to the
dwelling OF Mr.. Fooks, and found that
gentleman as TRANQUILITY occupied with
his books as when he was visited by Ma
gennis in the morning.
"A bad business this, Tooks,'' said
Mr.. Penrose; "a very bad business.
Why, man, rather than you should
meet Magennis, Pn fight the rascal my
self"
"Thank you, my friend" replied
Mr.. Fooks. Il feel most grateful for
your kindness ; but since Mr.. Magennis
has chosen to take causeless offense,
am resolved to give him the meeting
he desires. Perhaps" he added, smil-
ing, the result may be better than you
expect"
"Oh, my dear Fooks," said his friend,
" "don't, l beseech you, build on that.
The fellow is regular assassin, and if
he had his deserts wodld long since
have gained promotion at the hang
mans hands. However, there will be a
score or two OF your friends on the