The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-09-04
THE HONOR OF THE LAsHLEYs.

THE HONOR OF THE LASHLEfS.
We were known for generations be-
fore l was born as " a fighting family
throughout the locality in Kentucky in
which we lived. Young people of the
present day cannot understand the re-
spect and Difference paid to duelists
forty years ago.
remember, when l was child OF
seven, overhearing the inn-keeper of our
town, as / passed down the village
street, point me out to the passengers
in the stage-coach as ''One Of the Lash
leys. Granddaughter of 'Dead-Shot'
Lashley. No better blood in Kentuck.
sir. The men always were ready to up
hold their word with their lives. No
back-down in a Lashley. 1t was touch
and go with them"
hurried on, feeling as if my little
hands were blood-stained. But Logan,
my twin brother, was pleased and proud
when such comments reached his ears.
He marched slowly on, cycling the star
ing strangers as If he were prince
among beggars.
Logan also heard good deal of this
sort OF talk in the village as he grew
older. There was nothing else to re-
mind him that he belonged to race
of duelists. The family consisted now
only OF mother, Logan and myself.
Both my father andgrandfather {" Dead
Shot Lashley'') were dead.
/ remembered the last only as mild,
rheumatic old gentleman, who battered
about the sheep folds and rabbit
hutches, and was very particular about
his toast and tea for breakfast. Mother
hundred and INDUCED him for years in
his harmless little fancies.
Her gentleness, patience and sweet
temper were SO inexhaustible, and so
filed our home, that the ill-humor and
conceit of other people faded out of
sight in it like bad fogs in the sunshine.
/ wish the readers Of the Companion
could see my mother as l remember
her. in her black gown and widows
cap. with her delicate, high-bred face,
low voice and soft manner, controlling
a great plantation and many slaves.
She was fair type of one class of
Southern women. She was so gentle
and playful and child-like' that Logan
enjoyed her society more than he en-
joyed that of his young companions.
But there was no more skillful stock
raiser in the county than Madam Lash
ley, nor any one in our town who had
keener insight or a firmer will in mat
tiers that pertained to the products of
our plantation.
When Logan and l were fourteen,
she found that we were too old for q
goyerness to manage, and joining with
the neighboring planters, she sent to
New York for a teacher.
The little school house in the woods
was fitted up for him. There were q
dozen children in all with whom the ex-
pertinent was to be tried. IF it sue
ceeds,'' said my mother, mo doubt
some of the gentlemen will build an
academy"
knew very well it was she who
would build the academy; but she never
said II" will do anything.
The teacher, Master March, proved
to be pale young man with STOPPING
shoulders and delicate frame. 1t had
been arranged that he should board at
the village inn; but after mother had
seen him she brought him to the plan
tation and gave him the chamber that
overlooks the mountains, and ordered
old Manner Addy to make beef-tea and
wine broth for him without stint.
"The poor lad needs mothering. He
has never had any. Suspect" she said.
Logan oppressed Master March with
his hospitality. He put horse at his
disposal; offered to introduce him to all
the bellies in the county; took him to
the Louisville races, and explained the
novel scene with an air of lordly pa
tronage. had no patience with Lo-
gan's absurd mannishness and conceit.
But mother only laughed.
In the opinion of the neighbors, Mas
ter March was tho best teacher ever
known in tSat county. was not sur
prised, therefore, when about six
months later, mother met me one even
ing in the avenue, her face flushed and
pleased and said: 1.-The academy is to
be built, Margaret, and Mr.. March is to
take charge Of it,"
"Why do you take such an interest
in him, mammaP" i asked.
1.-THE poor lad has had such . hard
struggle" she said, sitting down on a
lallen log.
Logan came up at the moment and
stood listening. brushing his fore-finger
over his upper lip where the mustache
would be some day.
He was left at twelve" she con-
tinued. "homeless and penniless. with
q little sister to support. He kept her
from starving for whole year by shov-
cling coal and selling newspapers.
Logan forgot his upperlip and leaned
forward eager and attentive.
"Yes, it seems Incredible to u.s."
mother said, "but he soon got . situa-
ton at . trade and then placed the girl
with farmer and paid trine of board
for her. After two or three years, he
determined to 60 to college and BY his
indomitable viii and energy he pushed
his way through school ands college,