The Florence daily tribune., 1899-01-13
The Divorce of a Feud
By J. Noel Johnson
ftI EMME say it to ye in big letters.

II YOU steal my bttis oA 1855 -
marry her, I'll fill your hide as fun OF
holes as musical sieNel
Thus spoke old Ben Pitchford 20
Young Fred Peterson as the two stood
in the road, on Kinniconnick creek,
XIV, one May morning three years ago.
The Young man. tall and broad. grace
full as the pine that. on the hili ABOVE
them. swayed TO and fro at the touch
of the winds. met the blazing eyes OF old
Rem with "a look of fearless mirthful-
ness. There was no defiance or inn
rudence in his face. 1t was sunshine
confronting black cloud-hght not
afraid to meet the blackness.
"oh, shucksl Maj Pitchford. know
YOU are a bad man with gun. l know
you've got quick temper. cool nerve,
aauick eye and perfect tmarksmanfhip.
I know you have got a skillful hand ana
a long bowie. You've got an icy heart
in front of foe, but 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-ln-laW! er ma, ma ha!
You cant laugh me down. sub I've
swore il, and nobody ever hearn OF old
Ben Pitchford ever tellin' lie, much
less sweariu' one. I'll kill you II you
steal my gall"
The lines of decision we're 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. Il d
like to know, Mai. Pitchford, what
you've got against me? In what way
have ever offended you? | won't say
| am good enough for your daughter.
| don't think any man is. But | think
| can say, without being egotistical.
that am as good, in any light you want
TO look at me, as any other young mai
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 tellip' 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 Pitchford-Peterson feud for 90
years or more2" returned the old fel-
low, with grin of mockery.
Yes" said Fred, Il knew of the
ieud, but that is not an intelligent rea-
son for your opposition"
"It 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 benst?"
'"Not altogether, by any means. sir:
but you show the traits of one, II you
are erernally disposed TO keep alive
savage, beastly practices"
"Your father. what OF him?"
Hes in the same boat with you. IL he
wants to continue this abominable
your wayEbut 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 secret fang
eager to get into my flesh, and tina,
your likin' for my gal alone keeps ii
out? Answer that,"
THE answer is easy, sir; am grad
uate OF the Pennsylvania university" +"
"Edication only wraps the fang with
silk"
at plucks out the fang"
Your great-grandfathrr 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."
Yes, 90"
Now. what do you think of that ."
Il think it's high time 10 stop it.
Yes. | think it's time to cut down the
old tree that borne so much fruit of
blood and death and make a wedding
bonfire of the branches, That's Just
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"
II 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 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.
Il will have her. / will have her be-
fore another month" he calculated