The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-12-04


A stretcher was fetched from the bar.
racks and the corpse was conveyed
thither without delay. The affair
would doubtless have created pro
found sensation, but for obvious
reasons, those engaged in It were care
full TO let As few particulars as possible
leak out The friends Of the deceased
were communicated with. There seemed
little likelihood Of any unpleasant con-
sequences ensuing. Captain Fenton
dined alone that evening, and after
dinner sat for over an hour slipping his
claret with evident enjoyment One
more or less to the list Of his victims
was q matter OF little account to him;
1t was certainly not Of SUFFICIENT impor-
tance to disturb his cquanimity.
But on the third day a startling
change took place in the. aspect ~oi
affairs A young man, travclsstained,
pale and haggard, arrived in the town.
He proceeded at once to the barracks
and announced himself as brother OF
the deceased. He was conducted to the
room in which the body was laid. They
say the scene which followed was Of the
most extraordinary description. The
stranger flung himself upon the corpse,
and, as he lay there, his whole frame
was shaken by conyulsive sobs.
tquickly transpired that the brothers
had been left orphans when mere lads.
They were the only children of the
family, and through boyhood had clung
to each other, feeling that they were
alone in the world Their love was
like that which bound David and iona
than together 1t can, therefore, be
scarcely conceived with what feelings
OF dismay the elder heard OF the death
of the younger. ------------
When the first paroxysm Of grief was
over, the young man raised himself
from the corpse Then, in voice half
choked by emotion. he uttered a
solemn vow TO take speedy revenge
upon his brothers slayer With this
object in view he retired from the
apartment. and Instantly dispatched a
challenge to Captain Fenton. The
| officers @endeavored to dissuade him
from such rash step, pointing out that
instead OF avenging the slai he was
himself sure to fall Victim to his op-
ponents skill. But remonstrance was
in vain. To ono and all he replied
simply: my brother Is dead; do not
care to live"
Under these circumstan ces 1t seemed
hopeless to prevent this second duel.
Some indeed thought OF appealing to
Captain Fenton in order to persuade
him, II possible, into refusing the
challenge. But none were very eager
| to undertake such an unpleasant duty,
especially as there appeared little like
lihood of their efforts being crowned
with success.
Nevertheless, there was one who vent.
| ured upon the disagreeable task, Mr..
Martin, who resided in the neighbor-
hood. The greater part of his life had
been spent in Australia, where he had
worked an extensive sheep station.
But want Of success or some other un-
known reason, made him sell out and
| return to his native country. Here, he
rented large tracts OF land for grazing
purposes. His sheep ''runs" extended
| upwards OF dozen miles, and he had
also several magnificent herds of cat
tic.
He was generally looked upon as a
| quiet unassuming old gentleman, who
had never interfered in other peoples
business In fact, his one aim and OBJ
ject in life seemed to be the welfare of
his flocks and herds. Bat. in the pres
emit instance, having learnt some partic-
ulars regarding the late tragedy, he
| determined. If possible, to prevent a
repetition of the sad event. With this
object in view he called upon Captain
Fenton.
Though he had turned three-score
years, Mr.. Martin was still hale and
hearty. Like the patriarch OF old, ''his
eye was not dim nor natural force
| abated. - beard of snowy whiteness
descended from his beaten
countenance. His venerable appearance
would, in all probability, have given con-
| siderable weight to his arguments had
| he to deal with one who respected gray
hairs. But as it was, Captain Fenton
listened with ill-concealed contempt.
| In answer to the old mans remon-
strances regarding the result of the re-
cent duel, his reply invariably was that
| 'it served the young cub right.
Mr.. Martin entreated him to relin-
quish his intention of fighting the sur
viving brother The intercession was
| so persistent that, as might have been
anticipated, the captain lost his temper.
Turning Upon his visitor, he abruptly
ordered him to leave the house-adding
an offensive expression to the effect
that "he would not allowan old bullock
driver to interfere in his affairs OF
honor" q
| Sir" returned Mr.. Martin, quietly,
''you have insulted mel"
at seems SOL replied the captain,
tauntingly.
| aAnd," continued the old man, in the
same calm tones II demand immediate
satisfaction"
"With all my heart" responded Cap
tain Fcnton, laughing loudly at the
absurdity of the idea. =
Moreover, as you have been guilty Of
such ungentlemanly conduct" said Mr..
Martin, Il insist that my claim shall
have preference over all other engage.
ments."
. ',Oh, certainly replied the captain,
with mock gravity. Tomorrow morn
ing, if you wish it am engaged to
meet the young fellow in whom you
| take such a vast amount of interest in
the corner of the big meadow at eight
o'clock. Be there little before that
hour. But don't be late, for l want to
dispose of both affairs and return here
in time for breakfast"
81 shall be punctual, u returned the
old gentleman; and without saying
more he left the house.
He was as good as his word. At half.
past seven in the morning he was on
the ground, attended by his second.
Captain Fenton soon arrived, and later
on the party was joined by the brother
OF the deceased subaltern, with whom
was one OF the officers from the bar