The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-12-03


When the first paroxysn Of grief wa
over. the young man raised himself from
the corpse. Then, in voice half ehokst
by emotion, be uttered solemn vow t
take speedy revenge uDon his brother,
slayer. With this object in view be re
tired from the apartment, and in
stantly dispatched challenge 10 Captain
] Fenton. The officers ende2yored to dis
suAde him fran such a rash step, point,
ing ont that instead Of avenging the slain
be was himself sure TO fall victim "a
his opponents skill Bat remonstrsncs
was in vain. To one and ell he replied
simply
I" My brother is sdead do not care Il
i've
Under these circumstances it seemed
hopeless to prevent this second dael
Some, indeed, thought of appealing t.
Captain Fenton in order to persuade him
if possible. into refusing the challenge
But none were very eager to undertake
such an unpleasant duty, especially q:
there appeared little likelihood Of theil
efforts being crowned with success.
Nevertheless, there was one who ven.
tnred upon the disagreesble task, Mr.
Martin, who resided in the neighbor-
hood. The greater part of his life had
been spent in Australia, where he hsd
worked an extensive sheep station Bat
want of success, or some other unknown
reason, made him sell out and return tc
his native country. Here he rented large
tracts Of land for grazing purposes. His
sheep runs extended upwards Of s
dozen miles, and he had also several
magnificent herdsof cattle.
He was generally looked upon as g
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 tie welfare OF
his focks and herbs. But, in the pres
ent instance. having iearnt some partieu-
lars regarding the late tragedy. be deter
mined, if possible, to prevent repeti-
ton of the sad event. With this object
in view, he called upon Ozptsin Fenton.
Though he had turned three-score
years. Mr.. Martin was still hale and
hearty. Like the patriarch Of old, " his
eve wss not dim nor natural force a5at-
ed A beard Of snowy whiteness- de-
scended from his veather-beaten coun-
tenance. His venerable appearance
would, in ali probability, have gisen con-
siderable weight 70 his arguments lad he
70 deal with one who respscted gray
hairs. But as it was, Captain Fenton
listened With iIl-eoncealed contempt In
answer TO the old mans remonstrances
regarding the result Of the recent duel,
his reply invariably was that . it served
the young cub right"
Mr.. Martin enire2ted him to relinquish
MS intention of fighting the Surviving
brother. The intercession was 50 per
sistent that, ssmight have been antici-
psted, the captain lost his temper, and
turning upon his visitor, be abruptly or
dered him TO leave the house-adding an
offensive expression to the effect that
he would not allow an old bullock
driver to inierfere..in any Of his affairs of
honor" ss ~
"Sir," returned Mr.. Martin, quietly,
you have insulted me r
Is seems So replied the captain,
tauntingIy.
And, continued the old man, in the
same calm tones. demand immediate
satisfaction" e
With all my heart responded Cap
tain Fenton, laughing loudly at the alb
surdity Of the idea.
Moreover" as you have been guilty
Of such ungentIemznly conduct" said
Mr. Martin, insist tia, my claim shall
have preference over all other engage
ments."
@0h, certainly" replied the Captain,
with mock gravity. :, To-morreE morn
ing, if yOu wish il | an engaged to meet
the young fellow in whom You take
such vast amount Of interest in the cor
ner Of the big meadow at eight o'clock.
Be there little before that hour. But
don't be late. for l want 70 dispose Of
both aHAirs and return here in time for
breakfast"
| shall be punctual," returned theOld
gentleman and without saying more be
isft the house.
He was as good as his word Az half
past seven in the morning he was OF the
ground, attended by his second. Captain
Fenton soon arrived, and later on the
party Was joined By the brother Of the
deceased subalterB. with whom was one
Of the officers from the barracksi
It was fearful 70 behold the wild look
which the young man fixed upon Captain
rentOn. Not once during the prepars-
tons did bis eyes wander from his
brothers slayer. While the pistols were
being loaded, Mr.. Martins second whis-
pered to him
Don't lose a moment when the signal
Is given. Ain low; it is your only
chance,
No. replied the old man. loudly 81
shall strike him full in the head"
It Is not known whether this speech
reached bis opponents ears and in some
measure disconcerted hin- 1t Is beliey-
ed that the steady gars Of the Young
man, who thirsted to ayenge his broth /
er's death, was not wifhoat effect. Ger
tain is ii that Captain Fenton did not
take his place With his customary assur-
znce.
The men we're posted. The rest re-
tired to suitable distance, leaving the
combatants steadily gazing al each other.
A inmate Of terrible suspense followed,
during which brief space the silence Of
death reigned over the spot. Then the ]
signal was gwen. and almost iDstantans-
ously the tso reports were hezsd. Fer
few seconds the smoke prevented the
spectators from sscertGining the result,
but as il slowly rose, they saw old Mr.
Mortin standing erect and gsim. while
Captain Fenton was stretched fun length
upon the ground.
Both me seconds FASTENED towards
their principals. The two men from the