Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-08-23
The Honor of the Lashleys.

~
We were known for generations be-
fore 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 for
ty years ago.
| remember, when l was child of
seven, overhearing the innkeeper Of our
town, as passed down the village street
point me out as "One of the Lashleys,
Granddaughter of Dead-Shot' Lashley.
No better blood in Kentucky, sir. The
men always were ready to uphold their
word with their lives. No back-down
in Lashley. 1t was touch and 60 with
them"
l 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 and grandfather ("Dead-Shot
Lashley') were dead.
| remembered the last only as mild
rheumatic old gentleman, who pattered
about the sheep-folds and rabbit-hutches
and was very particular about his toast
and tea for breakfast. Mother humored
and INDUCED him for years in his harm
less little fancies.
Her gentleness, patience and sweet
temper were so inexhaustlble, and so
filled our home, that the ill-humor and
conceit of other people faded out of
sight in it like bad fogs in the sun
shine.
l wish the reader could see my moth
er as | remember her, in her black
gown and widows cap, with her deli
cate, high-bred face, low voice and soft
manner, controlling great plantation
and many slaves.
She was fair type of one class of
Southern women. She was so gentle
and playful and childlike 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 frmer will in mat
ters that pertained to the products of
our plantation.
When Logan and were fourteen, she
found that we were too old for gov
ernness to manage. and joining with
the neighboring planters, she sent to
New York for teacher.
The little school-house in the woods
was fitted up for him. There were a
dozen children in all with whom the ex-
pertinent was to be tried. "If it sue
ceeds," said my mother, "no doubt some
of the gentlemen will build an acad-
emy."
l knew very we'll it was she who
would build the academy, but she new
er said "I' will do anything
r The teacher, Master March, proved
to be pale young man with STOPPING
t shoulders and delicate frame. 1t hat
been arranged that he should board a
the village inn; but after mother hat
seen him, she brought him to the plan
tatlon and gave him the chamber tha
n overlooks the mountains, and ordered
old Manner Addy to make beef-tea am
: wine-broth for him without stint.
h "The poor lad needs mothering. H
+ has never had any, suspect" she said
: Logan oppressed Master March will
his hospitality. He put horse at hi
disposal; offered to introduce him t.
! all the bellies in the county; took hin
e to the Louisville races, and explaine,
d the novel scene with an air of lordl,
1t patronage. had no patience with I.s
, gan's absurd mannishness and conce5t
But mother only laughed.
/ In the opinion of the neighbors, Mas
ter March was the best teacher eve
u known in that county; was not sur
If prised, therefore, when about six month
F." later, mother met me one evening il
the avenue, her face flushed and pleas
IS ed, and said, "The academy is to b
It built, Margaret, and Mr.. March is I
le take charge of it."
. why do you take such an intere:
: in him, mamma ?" L asked.
il "The poor lad has had such har
. struggle" she said, sitting down on
Of fallen log.
II Logan came up at the moment, an
= = stood listening, brushing his fore-fngt
ID over his upper lip. where the mustact
. would be some day.
~ "He was left at twelve" she continue,
r "homeless and penniless, with lit
I'd sister to support. He kept her fro