Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-02-12
CIRCUMSTANTIAL.

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treme ideas, he was called idiosyncratic
by many, but nevertheless was jolly,
good natured companion at the clubs.
By his friends he was looked upon as
being at times erratic, but his hberality
and good nature more than counterbal-
anced his undesirable qualities. The king
of good fellows on occasions. he was
equally disagreeable when he was ex-
pected most of all to be cheerful and
good humored. About three miles from
the quiet little village of Vernon he had
spent the greater portion of his days.
From early boyhood he had lived at the
old homestead; but, strange to say, he
had never married. In the blessed state
of bachelorhood he had passed his life,
and now at themature age of threescore
and ten he had no idea of taking unto
himself a helpmeet. He was satisfied
with his portion, and content, smiling
and chuckling over human events, had
never complained Of his lot. So much
for Major McLain.
Just to the right Of the McLain man
sion lived Colonel Mashburn. It was an
ordinary farm cottage that had given
shelter to the colonel and his family for
many years. The luxury of the McLain
home was not to be found in the hum
bier dwelling of his neighbor, but it
was home to the Mashburn family, and
they looked with disdain and contempt
upon the abiding place of their bachelor
neighbor. Though the dwellings were
separated only short distance, there
was but little love lost between the
two families. 1t is true that their lands
adjoined and only few blazed trees told
the story of the boundary, yet that dis
tance that is said to lend enchantment
unfortunately was not great enough to
bind the families in the bonds of neigh
borly love-
Years previous to the time this story
is written bitter dispute as to the To-
cation of the line had caused breach to
occur between the major and his neigh
bor. As time passed, the chasm widened
and the quarrel became more bitter. The
county surveyor had been called in in
the interest of peace and harmony, but
his decision, which was in favor Of Major
McLain, failed to pour oil on the waters
of discomfort, and hostilities were again
resumed with greater zest than ever be-
fore. It looked at times as if there
would be war and the inhabitants of the
little settlement frequently discussed the
final outcome Of the feud.
AS both men are now dead, have de-
cided to tell the story of the manner in
which the dispute was finally settled.
The story may or may not be true, but
I will relate it just as it was told to me
by one who lived in the neighborhood
and was friend to both Major McLain
and Colonel Mashburn.
Early one morning in May, many
years ago, Colonel Mashburn left his
home and walked down to the contested
line boundary. He was in an unusually
bad humor that morning and had taken
the walk with the hope that it would
benefit him and aid his bad digestion.
He had spent a restless night and was
feeling the bad results. When he reach
ed the line of blazed trees that had been
long regarded as the boundary to his
possessions, he looked long and wistfully
at the surroundings of his prosperous
neighbor. He conscientiously believed
that he had been imposed upon and his
blood boiled madly and he was in rage
Of passion. Finally his feelings over
came him, and with an oath he sought
the path that led to the doorsteps of Ma
jor McLain's s palatial home.
Colonel Mashburn walked rapidly up
the long hill. He was angry and it was
his intention to have another talk with
the major and see if he could not either
by threats or pleadings bring him to
terms and secure possession Of what he
thought was his own. A farmland at
work in the field looked up from his
plow, paused, and then continued to the
end of his furrow. At the door Colonel
Mashburn was met by Major McLain.
The two men glared at each other and
then retired from view. The old negro
cook heard several oaths, closed the door
and went out into the cabin, telling one
of the men employed about the place
that there was going to be trouble.
Mr.. SUttles, passing by on his horse,
stopped at the gate which was near the
house and listened to the quarrel. The
story of the feud was old and he paused
only long enough to satisfy himself that
the major and Colonel Mashbnrn were
quarreling, and then spurred his horse
to catch the morning train to Abondale.
Late in the afternoon Mr.. Suttles return
ed. As he passed the McLain home he
saw an immense crowd in the yard. The
sheriff told him that Major McLain had
been killed. A coroner's inquest was be-
ing held. That was all, and Suttles hur-
r1ed on to his home, thinking-of the
quarrel he had overheard as he passed
the house in the morning. At the door
he was met by his wife, who told him
how that Major McLain had been found
dead in his chair. The old coachman
madesthe discovery, and the alarm was
given and the crowd assembled.
Il believe Colonel Mashburn killed
him." said Mrs. Suttles.
Leaning close down, Mr.. Suttles whis-
pered into the ear of his wife:
II know it.
There was peculiar emphasis to the
words as they fell from the lips of her
husband and she looked up into his face
lnquiringly. The hot words of passion
heard in the morning by Suttles were
told.
Mr.. Suttles went Immediately to the
home of Major McLain He elbowed his
way through curious crowd and went
into the room where the inanest was be-
ing held. The sheriff was clnsely ques-
tioning all who came into The room.
Suttles was nervous, but be hied to con-
ceal his true feelings Reckoning the
sheriff to the outside, he told what he
had heard.
Colonel Mashburn is not at home,'
said the sheriff.
"Here am 1. :" And the colonel, pale
and trembling, looked into the face of
the officer
"You are my prisoner, said the sher.
If, placing his hand on the arm Of the
colonel.
IT thought Co." coolly remarked the
colonel
Several weeks later the courtroom Of
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