Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-09-24
A PUT UP JOB.

One of our men, Harry Blanton, was a
vain fellow and very credulous. Passing
farmhouse near by, he made eyes to girl
on the veranda, and her father, seeing it
all, ordered his daughter into the house.
Harry came on into camp aglow with
excitement and was soon telling us what
had happened. He admitted he had be-
come smitten with tho lady's charms and
was satisfied she was desperately in love
with him.
We all deeply sympathized with him,
and one of us suggested to him that If he
wished to write to the girl he would con-
trive in some way to deliver the letter and
get q reply if possible. Harry jumped at
this at once, and off he went to write the
letter. with which he returned in couple
of hours. We begged h be allowed to read
it, but no, no, he could not do that He
wanted the messenger to start at once, so
impatient was he, but was told great eau
ton had to be exercised and n favorable
opportunity present itself, so Ne had to be
content.
In day or two another letter was writ
ten by Harry and soon as possible deliv-
cred and a reply received. In the course OF
ten days some four or five letters were sent
and replied to. In his last he insisted on
meeting, if only for a few minutes-begged
her to arrange one Immediately. In her
reply the lady said she was willing
eager, in fact-but her father and brothers
were suspicious and watched her very
closely. However, for his sake she would
take great risks. At o'clock that night,
she said, she would try to slip away from
the house and go to certain peach tree
that was in the field back Of tho house and
for him to meet her there.
To say that Blanton was happy docs
not describe it, In the meantime we had
induced a young soldier who was small,
slim and beardlcss to help us. He was a
great wag and full of fun and eagerly
went into the scheme. The country was
secured, and q wOman's dress and sun
bonnet secured and all preparations made.
A short time after dark BlantOn was no.
ticed to slip out of camp and move toward
the field The night was dark, and he
went slowly, though finally reached the
designated tree, and sure enough after
few minutes waiting his beloved came
tripping to the trysting spot They were
so glad to meet, and Harry was disposed
to be very loving and affcctionate, but his
ladylove was coy. The conversation was
carried on in whispers, and they were hav-
ing a sweet time when n gun was sudden
" fired near them from the direction Of n
house. and mans voice angrily OK
claimed: "Oh, you scoundrel! l intend to
kill your
The pair were terrified, and the girl fell
to sobbng, telling Harry her father would
nearly kill her, and it would be torment
for her to live at home after that, and, oh,
she was so miserable Blanton broke out
in cold perspiration. What was to be
done? He had an idea! And after whis-
pering few words to the girl clinging to
him the pair turned and sped across tho
field toward the camp, the brother follow
ing as best he could in the dark and swear
ing loudly what he meant to do when he
caught them. Harry and his girl reached
the fence, cleared it in a second and hur-
ried on to camp. just before reaching
there they ran upon several of us taking a
walk, Just by accident of course, in that
direction. An explanation followed. Harry
asked us to help him and what was best to
be done.
After talking it over hurriedly it was
decided that the only course left was for
Blanton to marry the girl, and at once, to
which the pair agreed. A proper soldier
was hunted up to act as the minister, and
Blanton and the girl, who had been car
ricd into tent, were now brought out,
told to join hands and stand in front of
tho minister, and by the dim light Of tho
campfire the marriage ceremony proceed
ed. 1t proceeded so far as to secure Harry's
affirmative response, but no further, for at
that point o shout was heard, and up
rushed the brother of the girl, shouting
and swearing, hunting for Harry Blanton,
whom he meant to kill on sight.
The half married couple were hurried
into tent by some of the boys, while tho
rest of them gathered around the half
brother-in-l Flaw, explained matters to him
and tried to pacify him. But nothing
would do. His feelings had been too much
outraged, and have satisfaction he would
He meant to kill Blanton. He consented,
however, after much argument with him,
to give Blanton chance by fighting n
duel with him then and there. Blanton
was not spelling for fight, but we told
him it was better to fight the duel than to
be shot down like dog without chance.
With great reluctance he consented. He
was brought out, placed near the camp
fire and pistol put in his hand. His op-
ponent stood opposite him with pistol
ready also.
The word Ready" was called, and then
" FireW There were two reports, and the
half brother-in-law fell to the ground, and
some one told BlantOn he was shot through
the breast and was dying. Blanton was
mortified. At his query of what to do he
was told to leave for the upper country,
otherwise he would probably be court
martialed and shot The heartbroken
wife bade him a sOrrowful goodby, and he
lit out horribly bewildered. There, only
in a few hours, he had been hurried
through a marriage, a duel and murder.
Now, his only and direct way out was to
cross Johnson's bayou at o bridge about IA
miles distant. At this bridge was sta
toned a guard-a fact Blanton was not
aware of-for the purpose of OBTAINING de-
serters, spies, etc. About daylight the
guards discovered a man approaching
whom they promptly arrested. 1t proved
to be Harry Blanton, and forlorn look
ing captive they had-tired out, wet and
half frozen. AS the guard knew nothing
of the affair and as Blanton would give no
answer concerning his appear
ance he was at once sent with a small d.
tail back to the fort, where he was taken
before the colonel and report made.
Then he realized that his position was
moro serious than ever He had been