The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-11-11


hesitated how to act.
Tolmy retreated inside, but soon re-
appeared, also with rifle. Seeing this,
Richardson raised his rifle. The act was
repeated by Tolmy. Both fred stimuli
taneously and Belle dropped dead,
pierced with the bullet intended for her
brother. Frantic and appalled, at hay
ing killed his fiancee, Richardson gal
loped away, filled with remorse and
despair. The Tolmys now, from being
apologists for their relative, became ag-
gressors and avengers, and the Castle
tons, though Mabels marriage was none
of their contriving, took sides with their
brother-in-law. The feud was now be-
gun.
Returning from the interment Of Belle
the Tolmys and Castletons had, or pre-
tended to have, occasion to pass the
Richardson residence. They apprehend-
ing some such course had barricaded the
house and watched for the approach of
the cavalcade. A desperate fight ensued,
and among the first to fall was old Mr..
Tolmy and two of the Castleton boys.
The Richardson residence was set on
fire. and the desperate fight grew fiercer
and fiercer until the night mercifully
came down aud stopped it.
Many on both sides were wounded and
killed, but singularly enough the princi-
pals-James Tolmy and Tom Richard
son-escaped without scratch.
After this the feud was quiet for some
little time.
just at this stage of the conflict James
Tohny had occasion with his wife to
visit the Castletons. He arose early and
went for his horse; but an unusual thing
had happened. The horse had broken
the fence and strayed away. He tracked
the animal a long distance, when, tired
with his long morning walk, he seated
himself to rest. He heard cracking
leaves at his back, and thinking it was
his horse turned round. He found him
self face to face with his mortal enemy,
Tom Richardson, carrying in his hand a
rifle. No alarm, no anger, was exhib-
tied by either. ''Are you heeled, Jimg'
asked Richardson in a quiet sort of way.
''Well, no, Tom, " answered james Just
as quietly. 81 forgot the shooter this
morning"
"Then I've got the dead wood on you"
$50 you have, Tom.
"Do you take water, Jim?"
ooh, yes, Tom, take water"
"By-by, Jim"
$50 long, Tom" and they parted.
A month later James Tolmy was again
up early in the morning and strolled off
i'll the direction of the Richardson's, but
this time didn't forget his shooter"
Tom Richardson was milking his last
COW.
You're slow mixer, Tom, he said,
looking quietly over the fence at his en-
envy.
Tom looked up. eyes" he replied
calmly, II am very slow this morning"
Are you 'heeled,' Tom?' softly asked
the other.
"Well, no. You see the milking
"Then I've got the dead wood on you"
ITO be sure, jim" he answered lazily.
"Do you take water, Tom?"
"Oh, yes, Jim; take water some
times, like yourself"
Good morning, Tom"
$50 long, jim" And the relentless foes
once more separated. The feud had mar
rowed down to the two A third time they
both met, now on the banks of the Mis-
souri,, so there was water for both. This
time they were both heeled; each had
his loaded rifle. With hearts of lions,
but stealthily as tigers, they approached
each other SLOW r and cautiously
"Is there any water about" asked
TOlmV in a bitfn1. i1sopv
mot drop, JIM" was the easy re-
ply, and they advanced little closer.
Quick as lightning Richardson raised his
rifle and fired Tolmy dropped, but ere
death sealed his eyes forever he raised
his weapon and lodged its contents in
his enemys heart. Both were found
dead next day within fifteen yards of
each other. This was the end of the
last act in the domestic tragedy.
But now word of poor Julia. Pas
sionate in love she was inconsolable in
grief, and after the slaughter Of the
brother she had loved and of the lover
she still adored died broken hearted.
She was buried beside the grave of Belle,
the intended of her brother And these
are the two little graves which are the
indices Of the story.-Cecil Hastings in
Omaha World-Herald.
AT N,