The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-11-24
The Divorce of a Feud
By ]. Noel Johnson.


marry her, I'll fill your hide as full OF
holes as musical sieve!"
Thus spoke old Ben Fltchford to
Young Fred Peterson as the two stood
in the road. on Kinniconnick 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 to and fro at the touch
of the winds, met the blazing eyes OF old
Ben with a look of fearless mirthtul-
ness. There was no defiance or i'm
pudence in his face. 1t was sunshine
confronting a black cloud-hght not
afraid to meet the blackness.
"Oh, shucks Maj. Pitchford, l know
YOU are a bad man with gun. know
you've got quick temper, cool nerve,
aquick eye and perfect craftsmanship
know you have got skillful hand and
a long bowie. 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. I'll 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, Maj. Pitchford, what
you've got against me? In what way
have l ever offended you? | won't say
I am good enough for your daughter.
/ don't think any man is. But think
1 can say, without being egotistical,
that | am as good, in any light you want
to look at me, as any other young man
in these hills. Now, you know what !
say is true. Now, tell me-give 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, l do not!" protested the
young man.
"You don't know, eh, that there has
been a Pitchford-P 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"
at hain't, eh?"
''No, sir; it might be good enough
for savages or beasts, but-beg your
pardon-not for civilized people,"
Then am 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 to continue this abominable
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
SOC, that you haven't a secret fang,
eager to get into my flesh, and that
your likin' for my gal alone keeps it
out? Answer that!"
"The answer is easy, sir; am grad
uate of the Pennsylvania university"
"Edication only wraps the fang with
silk"
ut plucks out the fang"
"1our great-grandfathcr killed
mine"
"Your grandfather killed mine"
"An uncle of yours killed my
brother"
"a brother of yours killed my uncle"
"Forty corpses lay along the track
of that feud."
eyes, 40"
snow, what do you think of that?"
81 think it's high time to stop it.
Yes, l 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. We de-
cided, long ago, before we graduated.
that we'd close the book at the bloody
chapter forever"
"You can't get my consent. sub"
81 shan't ask it."
"And if you steal her, by heaven-re-
member my OATH will kill you!"
The two men instantly separated,
each going his opposite way.
Fred Peterson was moving along the
road with a long, graceful stride The
birds strove to catch him with love
songs: the brook leaped up and shouted
with merriment; the butterflies be-
sprinkied the brown road ahead with
many vivid colors. but he heard moth
ing, saw nothing. His vision was
turned inward. where great conflict
was raging.
81 will have her, will have her be-
fore another MONTH" he calculated.
"Of course you Will" cried sweet,
merry voice from the side of the road.
"Of course you will, or I'll sue you for
breach Of promised"
The young man started from his
reVerie as if aroused from sIpeD nv n