Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-12-19
ISLAND POND VERMONT FRIDAY DECEMBER IT,

seeing his brother once more, aud she
replied with sigh: "He would be wei
come to it.
Christmas came cold and sharp but
the sun shone bravely, and all nature
seemed to smile welcome. During the
forenoon Herbert and John started oil
down the road, Herbert straight as a
young sapling, John somewhat delicate in
appearance and trifle bent. Their
father, watching them out of sight, was
reminded of that Christmas morning
when he and John walked off together.
Something in their manner toward each
other suggested the occasion most
wildly. Mr. T alton impulsively started
for his hat and coat, but the absurdity
of the action struck him Immediately,
and he laughed at himself for an old fool.
"The idea," he said. "John and /
quarrelcd about Elizabeth. Those boys
have no love affair or l should have
known it." So he occupied himself with
piling great logs in the open fireplace OF
the sitting ard oh, haunting
thought, what had become of his brotheri
In the meantime the young men had
walked off rapidly and without speaking
for mile or morel Then they halted
suddenly and surveyed each othOr. Her
bert was the first to speak,
SIS there any use in asking you to
postpone your decision9" he said.
"You talk like fool!" John an
swered, with quivering lip. 81 decided
long ago to marry the girl you have been
trying to get away from me for over a
year, and never will give her up"
''Can it be possible that you want to
marry q girl who has confessed her love
for another man9" Herbert inquired, with
a sneer.
'It is lie She has done no such
thing" John replied "But, ON, my-if
she has it is because you have lied to her,
you contemplate sneak, you dastardly
coward, you thief"
Herbert stepped back pace, and with
face as pale as death, drew two pistols
from his pocket, and handed one to his
companion.
"We will settle this affair here and
now,n he sad. "You are as good shot
as I am, and these pistols shall determine
which is the favored one. If you survive
me, win her if you can, but | tell you
she will despisc you in exact proportion
as she has loved me-" With this the
young man measured off a few PAGES,
and then added: "You shall do the
counting. swear to you l will wait for
three You do the same
They took their places. Johns hand
was trembling and his whole body seemed
in cold perspiration. Herbert was as
cool as when adding up column OF
figures in his fathers counting room.
One-two-thrce! Just as the fatal
number was about to drop from John
Trafton's lips an old tramp suddenly
appeared upon the scene. With sharp
cry he rushed between the young men,
and Just in time to receive the bullet
from Johns pistol square in the shoulder.
He had meant to lower his weapon, but
in the added excitement of the new
arrival he had lost the remaining vestige
of his self-possession and the poor tramp
was his victim. Herbert stepped up
coolly to see what damage had been
done.
"Nevcr mind me-" said the stranger;
'tI am thankful to God that the bullet
found no worse lodging place." and then
looking pityingly at the young man who
had wounded him, he said: "Poor John
Just such another unfortunate as your
miserable uncle. Boys, your father and
l separated on a Christmas Day, after
some such an exploit as this, and
we have never met since / am on my
way to him, for my heart yearns for my
kindred. have no doubt your quarrel
was about a woman. Let the fellow
have the girl whom the girl loves best.
That's the way to fix it. Don't be life
long enemies on account of woman,
boys. Come, take me home"
"Uncle John!" said his namesake, and
then the poor fellow burst into tears.
"Uncle John!" Herbert repeated, and
though his face was shade paler there
was no sign of emotion. But they took
him home and in no house was there
greater Christmas rejoicing. Herbert,
senior, manifested all the affection that
had been so long pent up in his heart,
and after the doctor had been sent for
and the wound attended to the festivi-
ties proceeded Uncle John had knocked
around the world too long to be dis
quieted by bullet No. the boys never
attempted a duel again, but Herbert got
the girl, of course.