Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-12-29
Tie Divorce Of a FCud


I'll ENlME say it TO We in big letters.
Fred Peterson, SOS you can't fail
10 see the whole meanin' at one peep.
IF you steal my Betty, an run off and
marry her, I'll fill your hide as full of
holes as = musical sieye!"
Thus spoke old Ben Pitchford 70
young Fred Peterson as the two stood
in the road, on Kinnieonnick creek,
Ky, one May morning three years ago.
The young man, tall and broad, grace
full as the pine that, on the hill above
them, swayed 10 and fro at the touch
of the winds, met the blazing eyes OF old
Ben with a look of fearless mirthful-
ness. There was no defiance or inn
pudence in his face. 1t was sunshine
confronting black cloud-light not
afraid to meet the biackness.
.Oh, shucks! Maj. Pitchford, l know
you are a bad man with a gun. know
you've got a quick temper, a cool nerve,
aquick eyeand a perfect craftsmanship.
know you have got skillful hand and
a long bcwie. You've got an icy heart
in front of foe, but a mighty warm
one to those that have claims on your
affection, and in short--ha, ha.-you
would split the brain box of an enemy
with great suddenness, but you would
never, never shoot your son!-your
son-in-law! er ha, ha, hal
You can't laugh me down, sub. I've
swore it, and nobody ever hearn of old
Ben Pitchford ever tellin' a lie, much
less swearin' one. III kill you if you
steal my gall"
The lines of decision were stretched
tightly in that grim old face. His
black eyes glittered like new dirks.
I'D like to know returned the
young man, seriously now, but with
no resentment in his look or tone, I'D
like to know, Mai. Pitchford what
you've got against me? In what way
have l ever offended you? won't say
/ am good enough for your daughter.
[ don't think any man is. But l think
l can say, without being egotistieal,
that I am as good, in any light you want
to look at me, as any other young man
in these hills. Now, you know what I
say is true. Now, tell me-giye me one
intelligent reason for your opposition
to me-
"You know without me tellin' YOU
spake the old fellow, in low tones, en-
phasizing with his eyes.
Indeed, DO not!" protested the
young man.
you don't know, eh, that there has
been Pitchford-Peterson feud for so
years or more?" returned the old fell
low, with grin of mockery.
YES" said Fred, Il knew of the
feud, but that is not an intelligent rea-
son for your opposition"
1T hain't, eh?"
no, sir; it might be good enough
for sayages or beasts, but-beg your
pardon-not for civilized people"
Then l am a savage-a beast?"
Not altogether, by any means, sir;
but you show the traits of one, if you
are eternally disposed to keep alive
savage, beastly practices"
Your father, what of him.
Hes in the same boat with you, if he
wants 10 continue this abominabIe
feud Both of you are good enough, in
Your way-but YOU have some ways
that fit you more for the Black Forest
than for the sun plains of the nine
teenth century. There is TOO much of
the claw and fang about both of YOU
The next generation Will find the claw
and fang extinct in both families
DO you mean to tell me, Fred Peter
son, that you haven't a secret fang.
eager to get into my flesh, and that
your lkin' for my gal alone keeps it
out? Answer that"
The answer is easy, sir; am a grad
uate of the Pennsylvania university,
silk"
1T plucks out the fang
'Your great-grandfathcr killed
mine"
Your grandfather killed mine"
IAN uncle of yours killed my
brother"
- brother Of yours killed my uncle"
Forty corpses lay along the track
of that feud"
Eyes, &C"
"Now. what do you think or thato'
Il think it's high time to stop it.
Yes. think it's time to cut down The
old tree that's borne so much fruit of
blood and death, and make a wedding
bonfire Of the branches That's lust
what Betty and propose to do Wede-
cided, long ago, before we graduated,
that we'd close the book at the bloody
chapter forever"
You can't get my consent. sub
u shan't ask it,"
"And if YOU steal her by heaven re
member my oath-I win kiil you."
The two men instantly separated.
each going his opposite way.
Fred Peterson was moving along the
road with long. graceful stride The
birds stroFe t. catch him with love
songs: the brook caped up AMI shouted
with merrimcnt; tie butterflies be-