The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-01-05
BILL AND NAN.

he feud that existed between the bal mons and the Graysons was as deadly as the bite of a rattlesnake. Succeeding generations did not cool the hot -blooded hate, and not unfrequently did adheren,s to the two family flags draw the crimson tide from each other. When the war of the rebellion came up. the two houses. for wonder, espoused the same cause. their enmity toward each other. The WAT had not been long in progress the second battle oi Manassas had just about allowed its oannons 10 cool, when George Balmon met Henry Grayson in d duel. Both fell dead. When the news of this encounter and its fatal result reached hsme, the old Bilmons and Graysons met Tn a fresh outbreak Several of them were killed, the slain being so equally di- sided that the comparative strength of the warlike families remained practically unchanged. When peace was declared and the ragged fragments of the oonfed eracy sought settlement in civil, or osten- sibly civil, pursuits to await the coming Graysons "fell out anew. summoned their forces. fought. slaus shtered liberally and finally wound up the sanguinary ball. without showing to the community tha, either side had gained victory that would be likely 10 be emblatoned on shield and handed down as coat-of- arms. By this time, mind you. the Bal mons and Graysons were getting to be pretty Scace.e In fact, Ned Balmon and lobe Grayson were the only heads of families. Bllmon had a son rus, en- iering the plowboy age, and Grayson had a daughter who was walking gracefully Tn tha, time of fawn-like springiness when gir. can begin To make spinning wheel sing Old hundred These two chil- dren, Bill and Nan. me, one day and fought. Nan clawed Bill woefully. and B,ll. either from gallant impulses. or a tender feeling which he cherished for himself, took to his heels. The next time they met, Bill gave her two-thlrds of the road, m deference 10 her right oi con quest After this, when Bill and Nan passed each other the distance was grad. ualiy reduced until they at length me, face 10 face
 Nha, do you want to crowd me fer .' Bill asked in tone bespeaking grea, in lury.
 Amt orowdin you" Nan replied Needn't think I'm going to climb the fence every time see you
 Don, think nuthin' of the kind. bu, look here. Nan, whu,'s the Use of us tear Tn each others elothes:"
 None. fur ain't got no clothes to spare, myself"
 Nu;her have | These teens bri,ches $ the bes, I've got, an these am, no grea, sh lakes
 should say not. See this dress Only every day one I've got. and my sunday coat wouldn', SC, the creek afre, le, me tell you
 Nan, we understand each other prett, we'll, an 10 tell you the truth, blamed if don't sorter love you, any how"
 Well, now. I'm not slouehy in m, feelings toward you, let me tell you" ana refusing to yield any more of the road B.ll put his arm around her. An, how they improved their chances of meeting now. How they stole away and wen fishing together, and how, when hickon nuts were ripe. they roamed through ,hs woods They s~~e,ly ler, he secre, O their love from their parents. but at las they were discovered. Bill was sevcrel, ,hrashed, and Nan was sentenced to long term al carding bats, which all wo men who understand this kind of worl will agree, was quite severe enough pun ishmeht for any one convicted of witch craft.
 The fathers of the youthful and maid enful couple were so incensed that the, were determined to bring about an ef fectual end to the unholy affair, as the, termed 1t. Neither of them had eve been ardent advocates of education ye they individually decided to send thei degenerated offspring to college. Ol. Balmon sold piece of land with a yiev of defraying Bills expenses at a distan institution of learning, and old Graysor acted pretty much in the same way Each thought tha; ignorance was tn, cause of the affection which had sprung up between Bill and Nan, and neither