The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-25
behind his chair. In trice he raises
o.l .fr;lyas Won stun

behind his chair. In trice ne raises
his heavy cane and strikes Lyon stun
ming blows on the head A Wild cry
goes up over the House. 1t IS cry OF
CONSERVATION, mingled with surprise
Lyon, dazed, dsshes to his feet. In a
fash the situation dawns upon hlm.
Coward he shrieks, lifting his
noe ful frame to its fullest height:
'rhe y. with The ferocity OF wounded
te~st he lurees, desperately at his
s'or,'ed ageressor. A throng OF ex'
ci'c.i mempers hedge around the
sbameles7 scene. Some are roaring
with delieht, some shrieking in terro :,
s,me LAUGHING with derision! Cha: s
: owe, :Jrned. Spectators are caught
the mad swirl aud are dashed t7 the
f. or ia the widest confusion. Lyon
s irgs at his adversary with terrific
blopS. The Demeeess> >.ts ~Ssfes.s- -Iato
cheer
Hurrah for Lyonl One member
sGapcs on a chair a nd frantically wavcT
his hat. The Rev. Ashbel Green crows
in delight and squats down on his
trees II reer through the legs OF the
"iny Of members Juclosiug he pit:
CIR * Condy throws down his pm and
io;rs in the melee. The speaker ls
"newhat startled now, aud moves a
) I'D nearer his official seat. His ey, )
bulge with curiosity. Speaker Dayton
takes another pinch of snuff. With
a wild, barbarlc yell of triumph, Gri>
void hurls himself upon his infuriated
rival, a tremendous effort. Lyon lies
PROSTATE on the floor. Up again,
Lyon braks through the ring. He
reels headlong toward the firepls :e.
Tnen his livid eyes catch sight of a
long pair of iron fire tongs standing 10
the chimney corner. With an cath
and an exultant shrek of victory Lyon
seizes this murJerous weapon snd
turns fendishly upon his riva!.
Griswold lupges terrific kick at
Lyon's stomach! The combatants
close ur each other in the grapple
of life and DEATH Caue and tongs a .
flung high in theair
The Rev. Ashbel Green is fsirly be-
side himself. He crows exultantly.
He even echoes The re ar that s|el!s
from The corners of the room. Speak.
er Dayton takes another pinch of snuff.
In a twinkle he resumes his official
seat. He raps order.
Order! Order! Order!" cries the
speaker, frantically.
"Seizs him by the legs!" shrek tbs
Republicans
"Give him the tongs!" howl the
Demo ;rats.
"Order, gentlemen order" says the
SPEAKER taking another pinch OF snuH.
Some geatle spirit seizes Griswold by
the silk stockings and drags him out of
the each of harm. The cohorts of
Lyon held their hero to his feet. A
PAIRING oath. Members close round
IN all sides. Rivals are borne apart
tableaux.
And was there any retributive JUS
tice9 No. There is no 1oquel. Neither
memb,r lost his seat. Both were well
coined back again with open arms.
Greater heroes than ever. Snch were
the goc ] old times
M Mlti heW Lyon, Inc hre'eat'ng ultra
Democrat, live / for forty years after
the incident that has made him secure
in his Congressional honors. But
,me dark and avenging fate seemed
t, pursue him. Made the victim OF
the odsous alien and sedition laws, he
was compelled to rsy heavy fine.
What little remnant of his fortune re-
maiued was soon after swept away in
commercial adversities.
Matthew Lyon died q broken and a
ruined man.
On the other hand, Griswold rose to
much distinction, was elected COVER
nor OF his native State and finally
passed away, universally esteemed and
respected by all who had come within
the circle of his influence.
So 60 the fates of men.