The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-03-11

fercely.
Now. felt that / was a match for the
latter, but as to the other one, j didn't
doubt but what he might work me up
into shoe strings in less than three min
utes
"Will you explain yourselves, gen.
uemenP" l asked, trying to smile.
"Yes, l will, answered the big one,
putting great stress on the will"
Certainly" growled the corpulent
gentleman, with grim smile.
Come this way, you rascal" said the
tall one, drawing me along with him.
His companion followed us out back
OF the station, where we were out OF
sight and hearing of the rest of u
Now" said the tall gentleman, turn
ing and confronting me, "I'll introduce
myself. l am Captain Augustus Boy
ton. This gentleman is my father, John
Boyton. Do you know us nowP"
"Well, really replied, wondering
in my own mind what the deuce was
toming; "really, l don't know any
hing more about you than what you've
just told"
"Hush!" said the captain; and he
bent down and hissed in my ear, I" / am
Carrie Boyton's brother"
"And am her father" growled John
Boyton.
"Ah, really, do you say sol" l could
not help smiling, the whole affair
seemed so ludicrous. "Give my re-
CARDS to Carrie"
Ha! you laugh at us, do you, viii
lain P" cried the captain. Look 'ere,"
said he, lowering his voice to a horrid
whisper. "Look at these"
l did look; forjust then be drew from
the pocket of his brown overcoAt
handsome case, and openiDgit, Displayed
pair of splendid silver-mounted duel
ing pistols.
"Take your choice"
A cold tremor ran through my frame.
Was to be murderedP
"Chcose quick, urged the captain.
"Sir," said l, in tremulous voice,
while the cold drops of perspiration
stood out upon my brow, "there mu-
must be some mistake I'm book
keeper for Brown & Co., dealers in hides
and talow. My father was Norton
McDougal, my mother was Mary Nc
Dougal, my grandfather was"
"Confound your grandfather! Either
marry my sister as you promised to do
month ago, or take one Of these pistols
and"
"Oh! helpr
"Dry up, you whelp," and the cap
tain clapped his broad hand over my
mouth.
"Choose quick, youngster," said the
Older Boynton.
al won't fight" cried.
"Then marry my sister, or we'll drag
you through the mill pond"
1t was hopeless for me 10 demonstrate.
could not convince the enraged father
and son that was not the villain Nc
Dolan. dared not cry for help.
What should | dcP Marry woman
whom | never saw before, whom | knew
nothing about? l had little time to
consider. Life was sweet TO me,
ducking was disagreeable, and as to a
duel ] should have been dead man at
the first shot.
Choose" said the captain, giving me
n kick with bis boot.
"I'll mar marry her."
CAL right"
And the captain smiled grimly as be
returned the pistol TO the case.
The elder Mr.. Boyton went after the
carriage; but before l had ceased to
tremble he returned.
he captain helped me in, and then |
seated between the chivalric father and
son, rode away. There we're plenty |
of people on the street; but | was
warned not to shout, if l knew what |
was healthy for me.
We rode at smart trot for about two |
miles / sb ould think; and then the cap
tain drew rein before large tHo-stGry |
whit @ house, that stood near the road,
surrounded by a high white fence. There
was a gravel walk up to the front door,
andseveral large cherry trees stood in
the front yard.
Here we are" said the captain, get
ting down, and motioning me to
follow.
The door opened just as we reached
it, and who should fall into my arms
but the identical young lady who had
made such n strong impression upon my |
heart the night OF the lecture in W..
"Oh, Johnl knew you would be |
true" she cried; and the captain snick.
ered rs he led the way into the parlor.
But once there | succeeded in convinc-
ing Miss Boyton that ! was not Nc
Dolan Her father apologized, and 30
did the captain and the upshot ofall was
that consented to stop over night with |
them, and am happy to state that
passed a very pleasant evening indeed.
learned, too, that this John McDo-
Ian, for whom ] had been taken, was a
gentleman of wealth and leisure, with |
only one fault, and that was promising |
to marry every pretty woman that he
became acquainted with Then ! told
my story, and both Mr.. Boyton and the |
captain seemed pleased, and so did Car
ria, especially when | offered to stand
in McDolan's shoes. And-well, my |
dear reader, did about month after
ward. We had great wedding, and
Clara Segard was one of the bride
mazda and Hpnrv ROyvpr yVas grOOms-