Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-01-15

pan. 4uSy Hei0 StIIl uulueIOuS
thoroughly armed, and despera.
does to a man, and determined at
the first court to muster all their
! strength, SO as to control and
overawe the proceedings.
At nine o'clock in the morning
of the second Monday in Septem
ber, 1912, the new judge took his
seat on the bench. lie was a
stranger from he West, whose
name alone had transpired, and
whose appearance, at first, inspir-
ed the ,desperadoes with hope. and
the friends of order with doubt
and painful apprehensions. =
Charles Evans was young man
of thirty-tw0--tall, slender, ex-
tremely handsome. and dressed
with the most finIcaI taste-his
fingers flashed with rings, and
his person adorned in the most
| gaudy manner. His long hair. of
bright golden color, waving in
curls around his shoulders. and
the sweet smile of complacent
vanity beaming on his features,
gave him an aspect almost ludi-
crously feminine.
Colonel Bill Borlin gazed on
this apparition with ineifable
contempt, aud whispered to his
comrades-"We will have it all
our own way, as Houston has
kindly sent US a Mss Ndnciep p;
If the Co onel had paid more
attention to the man, and less to
the clothing, he would. perhaps.
have been led to different con-
clusion; for there was a strange
light in the vivid blue eyes of the
stranger--a light that went and
came at irregular intervals, like
the play of lightning in a summer
cloud, while the corners Of his
mouth wore a wild, resolute, sneer-
ing expression, betokening the
opposite of pliancy and fear.
The Grand Jury being called
and sworn, the judge commen.
ced his charge, and at the sound
of his voice everybody started; for
the tones were shrill as q trumpet
--stern, ringing, imperious, like
the accents of a commander Gil
parade. Having glanced rapidly
over the definitions and penalties
of crime, he proceeded to descant
on the responsibility of juries to
aid in its ppression. His soul
appeared to catch electric fire at
the theme--his voice borrowed
the rich roll of thunder--bis vivid
blue eyes literally blazed with
that strange light--the wild ex-
preston grew terrible on his
writhing lips--and his words flew
like volleys of burning arrows.
he painted the horrors of lawless
anarchy till the very heart sick
ened; he described the beauty of
regular government as vision of
heaven realized on earth; and he
finally closed with the bold an
nouncement-"I will perform my
duty. l will put down lynching
wherever | have fhe honor of
presiding, or will myself be put
in the gravel"
"Then, Mass Nancy, take care
of your eyes!' cried hoarse voice,
louder and more menacing than
that of the judge.
Every heart save one shuddered.
The sentence seemed like a warn
ing from eternity--a revelation,
as it were, from the depths of hell.
"Who are you that thus dares to
interrupt the business of the
court!" exclaimed Judge Evans,
with the grave majesty of king.
"My true name Is Colonel Bill
Borlin; but most persons call me
Death in the eye! was the au-
swer.
"But in law you have another
name, rejoined Evans smiling.
"Tell me what it is; but take
good care of your eyes!" retorted
Borlin with unspeakable fury.
at is MURDERER!" said Evans;
and the smile or his lips, before
pale sunshine, was now q wreath
of lurid fire.
"You shall pay dearly for that
word within the week." fairly
shouted the duellist, gritting bis
teeth, like raging wild beast.
"There is no time like the pres
ent," was the calm reply.
"Now?" interrogated Borlin, as
if doubling the evidence OF his
ears. 41z ,8s .sl..
"Yes, now! if you have the cour.
age to challenge me" said Evans.
81 DO challenge you!" thundered
Berlin,
"And l accept" answered E.
vans.
Name your seconds"