Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-02-16
BILL AND NAN.


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BILL AND NAN.
The feud that existed between the bal-
mons and the Grayson5 was rs deadly rs
the bite of a rattiesnake. Succeeding
generations did not cool the hOt-blOOded
hate, and not unfrequently did adherentS
to the two family flags draw he crimson
tide from each other. When the civil war
came up, the two houses, for 3 wonder,
espoused the same cause, but this in no
wise tcndedi 20 mitigate their cnmity to-
ward each other. The war had not been
long in progress-Ihc second battle OF Ma
nassas had just about allowed its cannons
10 cool-when George BalmOn met Henry
Grayson in duel. Both fell dead. When
the news of this encounter and its fatal
results reached home the old Balmons and
GTavsOns met in fresh outbreak. Sew
eral of them were killed, the slain being
so equally divided that the comparative
strength of the warlike families remained
practically unchanged. When peace was
declared and the ragged fragments Of the
Confcderacy sought settlement in civil
pursuits to await the coming OF recon-
structiOn, the Balmons and the Graysons
"fell out" anew, summoned their forces,
fought, slaughtered literally and finally
wound up the sanguinary ball without
showing to the community that either
side had gained a victory that would be
likely to be emblazoned on 4 shield and
handed down as q coat of arms. BY this
time, mind you, the Balmons and Gray
sons were getting to DC "pretty scarce
In fact, Ned Balmon and Topc Grayson
were the only heads of families. Balmon
had 4 son just entering the plow-boy age,
and Grayson had 4 daughter who was
walking gracefully in that time of fawn-
like springiness when girl can begin 10
make a spinning-wheel sing cold Hun
dred." These two children, Bill and
Nan, met one day and fought. Nan claw
ed Bill wocfuiiy, aud Bill, either from
gallant impulses or tender feeling which
he cherished for himself, TOOK to his heels.
The next time they met, Bill gave her
two-thirds of the road, i'm Difference TO her
right of conquest. After this, when Bill
and Nan passed cath other, the distance
was gradually reduced until they at last
met face 10 face.
"What do you want to crowd me for?'
Bill asked, in tone bcspcaking great in
jury.
"Ain't crowdin' you," Nan replied.
"Ncedn't think Pm going to climb the
fence every time ! see you"
"Don't think nuthin' of the kind; but
look here, Nan, what's tire Use Of us tear
in each others clothcs?"
"None, fur l amt got no clothes to
spare myself"
s'Nuther have I. These jeen brtches
is the best I've got, an these amt no
great shakes
81 should say not. Soc this dress Only
every day one I've got, and my sunday
coat wouldn't set the creek afirc, let me
tell you"
"Nan, We understand each other pretty
well, an to tell you the truth, blamed il
don't sortcr love you, anyhow"
"Well, now, I'm not slouchy in my
feelings towards you, let me tell YOU"
and refusing to yield any more of the
road, Bill put his arm around her. All,
how they improved their chances Of meet
ing now. How they stole away and went
fishing together, and how, when hickory
nuts were ripe, they roamcd through the
woods. They sweetly kept the secret of
their love from their parents, but at last
they were discovered. Bill was severely
thrashed, and Nan was sentenced TO 4
long term at carding bats, which all wO-
men who understand this kind Of work
will agree was quite severe enough pun
ishment for any one convicted of witch
craft.
The fathers of the youthful couple were
so incensed that they were determined to
bring about an effectual end to the unholy
affair, rs they termed it. Neither Of them
had ever been ardent advocates oC cJuca-
ton, yet they individually decided to send
their degencrated offspring to college.
Old Balmon sold piece of land with 4
view of dcfrayng Bill's expense at a dis
tant institution of learning, and old Gray
son acted pretty much in the same way.
Each thought that ignorance was the
cause of the affection which had sprung
up between Bill and Nan, and neither of
them doubted that education would re-
move the cause.
At separate schools, the whereabouts Of
which was unknown to each other, they
improved each glittcring hour, and at the
end Of five years Nan returned home an
accomplished young lady. She did not
speak of Bill, and the heart OF her aged
father beat high with thaakfulness. Two
years afterwards Bill returned. lie did
not refer to Nan, and bis father congratu-
lated himself. and thought well Of bis
deep schemes result.
One day Bill and Nan met in the woods.
Their greetings were dignifed.
"And now said Bill. "after such 4
long separation, we find ourselves in the
old woods. II does not seem, Miss Gray
son, that leaf has changed"