The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-12-18

There was, however, difficulty, ire
movable for the time, in the way of Of
fecting his purpose. He could not
"call him out" 1t was generally con-
coded that my grandfather had fairly
won his bride, and deserved to enjoy
his happiness without molestation on
that account. A cartel, therefore,
would have evoked universal reproba-
ton against the sender, and was not to
be thought of. Mr.. Gregg determined
then, to bide his time. He felt that his
vengeful purpose would lose nothing
by little keeping and he was conf
dent that the usages OF the day would
soon provide him with fair opportunl-
ly of meeting his foe sword to sword.
as became a mau of honor. Nor was he
disappointed.
In that old time fair was the chosen
scene of Irish revelry and riot. About
three months after the elopement came
the fair of NJ. 1t was the resort of
all classes for miles round, and never
had it been kno wn to close without one
or more murderous ARRAYS, some of
which occasionally attained the dimen-
sions of serious combat. My grand
father determined to attend the fair,
and 80 did his foe. There was no COM
munication between them on this point.
Each was assured of meeting the other
there, longed indeed to do so, and
made his arrangements accordingly.
No secret was made OF the purpose on
either side for weeks before it was
generally anticipated that this particu-
lar fair would be enlivened by a
| La@k1a tho tranfo nd
the Greggs.
The day came and the fair was
crowded, many attracted thither by the
hope of "seeing the fun" About
noon the rivals, each with formidable
band at his back, met in the middle of
the High street, and instantly assailed
one another. Their partisans initiated
their example with equal good will /;
the gentlemen among them drawing
their swords, and the plebeians handling
their cudgels. Nor was the fray con-
fined to the factions. The very few
peace lovers present in the crowded
town vanished on the first indication of
a riot. OF the multitude that remained,
every one loved row for its own sake,
and most of them nourished
private grievances, for the graf
ifcation of which the occasion Of
fered irresistible temptations. Those
who had weapons at hand plunged at
once into the fray, and those who had
not these indispensables fastened to
improvise them. Some did so by
smashing the chairs in the tap-rooms
appropriating their legs. Others fitted
themselves for combat by breaking the
poles of tent and stall into handy
lengths. Both proceedings Of course
begot series of by-quarrels, which
added much TO the uproar. The last
was tremendous. 1t was scene of
widest confusion. The air vibrated
with one incessant, ear-piercing yell.
There were solid masses of men surg
ing to and fro. A sea of heads and a
forest of sticks, with here and there a
flashing blade, was all that could be
seen from the windows. Sometimes a
vigorous charge of the Grants rolled
the conflict to the southern extremity
of the long High street, while the foe
went down before them by dozens. to
be trampled upon by the roaring tide of
combatants. Here the Grants would
scatter some rushing eagerly forward
in pursuit and others spent, pausing to
take breath. Then the Greggs would
rally, close their ranks, and, charging
again in one dense mass, sweep the
town in precisely similar fashion.
At times the main conflict would
subside in order that ample space and
verge enough" might be given to the
struggle between two redoubtable
champions. This being decided, the
mobs would close again with redoubled
fury, and so the fight rolled on.
My grandfather and his antagonist
had exchanged but a few passes ere
they were hurled asunder by the tor
rent of their partisans. Nor was it
until near an hour had passed that they
encountered again. By this time the
majority of the rioters was nearly worn
out, and the chiefs, therefore, were
allowed to fight out their particular
quarrel to the end. Their adherents
gathered round them in a ring, en-
couraging them by their cheers of ap-
proval at every dexterous parry, home
thrust, or skillful cut / have already
described my grandfather. His anita
gonist was much taller, over six feet,
and large, heavy man to boot. Both
were sklllful swordsmen, and both as
brave as men could be. The contest
was an obstinate one; but Gregg was
overmatched from the first. He carried
more flesh than man should do who
has to battle for his life, while constant
exercise had rendered my grandfather
as tough as steel in every muscle. The
latter, too, was renowned for immense
length of arm. The fight, however,
did not go altogether i'll his favor. By
some means slash reached the little
finger of his sword-hand and divided
the bone. 1t hung not only useless,
but seriously impeded the management
of his weapon. Taking advantage of a
rush that interrupted the struggle for
a moment, he wrung the finger off and
turned again on his foe. The latter
stood up TO his man with determined
hardihood, until he was literally slash
ed to pieces. He fell at last through
sheer exhaustion.
The general fight was then resumed,
but the Greggs were dispirited by the
fall of their chief, and, after q short
struggle, were driven from the town.
Then took place a tolerable amount of
what the natives of the Green Island
used to term "rim-wrackin'." That is