Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1891-01-29
INTENTIONAL DAYS.

"Do you see those TWO hllic
mounds covered with grass aad
scarcely distinguishable?' said one
to the other.
"Yes; what are they, graves?
"They are, and thereby hangs q
history of the territorial days o.
Nebraska"
"The Tolmy and Richardson fam
lilies lived in this noighborhood ana
owned adjoining farms or ranches
and were on terms of themostneigL
borly character. When their chill
dren grew up the young people OF
the two families were dependent up
on each other for society. they
varied the dull routine OF rural lie
withdances and picnics and such inno-
cent sports as suggested themselves
to their rustic fancy, and though the
boys and girls lacked the accomplish
ments which adorn the young
people of the present generation,
they had their full share-the girls
of beauty and the boys OF that dash
which makes even rustics acceptable
in female society.
Julia Richardson, now in her 18th
year, was a sparkling brunette, and
could round up herd of cattle with
any one of the boys. jim Tolmy
was a dashing cowboy of %, who
could Jump his horse over four rail
fence and picl. up II silver dollar off
the grass while his steed was going at
the rate OF fifteen miles an hour.
The two, James and Julia, had
been equestrian rivals since child
hood, Julia insisting that she was
the better horse-man, so to say, OF
the two.
Thus the children grew to a GER
tain age when their manner to each
other changed, when Julia no longer
talked defiantly to James and chal-
lenged him to daring deeds OF horse
manship, and when James felt shorn
of all his dash and bravery and was
awkward, absent and timid in the
presence of Julia. Together and
alone they were silent and uncom-
orta bic. 1t was only in company
that James seemed to rally, and
when Julia, thinking nobody was
watching, would lift her dark eyes
from under theirsweeping lashes and
look with glowing admiration on her
old playmate. But there is no use
to dwell on the ardent though flick
oring omens of love.
1t is sufficient to say that james
and Julia loved. Love is IA passion
which, however much and long it
smolders, finds expression at last,
and the longer it smolders the more
abrupt and palmer will be the avow-
nj. The avowal came. James was
accepted and the young couple were
happy. Their parents consented,
but thought it better to defer the
union Tor a year. When they were
told OF this determination james
said; "Do you know | think my sis
ter Belle and your brother Tom will
get ahead ofusif we don't hurry up?'
Toni" she exclaimed; why, the
gawk is ashamed to look at u girl!'
Never you mind, see them often
together" Thus the lovers contid-
ed in each other, and the young and
old of both families we're happy
in expectancy. But though year
would not be long in passing, as
Julia said, still a year often brings
many changes especially in affairs of
the heart. Twenty miles away lived
the Castleton family, where James in
hunting for stray stock had often
called. Mable Castleton was o beau
tiful girl, well born, accomplishment
ai1able-a different type OF beauty
from Julia Richardson. She was tair
and tall. The mustangs had been
away very much of late in
that direction from the Tolmy ranch.
Oicourse James would go in pursuit
ofthem and call to inquire about the
fair Mabel. In those frequent visits
he and Mabel became attached to
each other, when, faithless to his en-
and forgetful of the pref
ty Julia, he induced her to elope with
him, and the first heard OF the affair
WIS OldU llleN were illuFFleu.
Julia Richardson's feelings may be
better imagined than described. She
was sighted, she was betrayed and
Jealous rage fired her. The whole
Richardson family ielt outraged,
and the Tolmys, to do them Justice,
were scarcely less painfully shocked.
The false lover, knowing that such
would be the result, kept discreetly
out of the way for weeks, when, sup
posing both families to have cooled
down, he visited his parents. When
Tom Richardson heard OF his ar
rival he rode over quietly toward
the Tolmy residence with a rife Mt
his saddle horn. As he approached
he observed James and his sister to-
gether, and he hesitated how to net.
Tolmy reiterated inside, but soon
rcappeared, also with a rifle. The
net was repeated by Tolmy. Both
fired simultaneously and Belle drop
ped dead pierced with n bullet intend
ed for her brother. Frantic and ap
palled at having killed his fianceed
Richardson galloped away, file
with remorse and despair. TIL
Tolmys now, from being apologists
Tor their relative, became aggressors
and avengers, and the Castletons,
though Mabel's marriage was none
of their contriving, took sides with
their brother-inIaw. The feud was
now begun.
Returning from the interment of
Belle the Tolmys and Castletons
had, or pretended to have, occasion
TO pass the Richardson residence.
They apprehending some such course
had barricaded the house and watch.
ed Tor the approach ofthe eayalcade.
A desperate fight ensued, and among
the first to fall was old Mr.. Tolmy
and two OF the Castleton bows. The
Richardson resid ence was set on fire
and the desperate fight grew fiercer
and fiercer until the night mercifuIly
came down and stopped it.
Many on both sides were wounded
and killed, but.singularly enough the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Tolmy and Tom
Riehardson-escaped without D
scratch.