The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-04-18
END OF A FAMILY, FEUD.

END OF A FAMILY, FEUD.
a few years ago, shortly after I OBJ
tanned the position which now hold,
my employer had real estate. deal on in
little town in North Carolina-we will
call it X-and as they knew my home
was in the South they sent me down
there, thinking that perhaps might be
able to deal better with my own people.
Well, suffice to say that I rolled into X
Oh the Southern limited one afternoon
m the latter part of September, with mp
grip stuffed with legal documents and .:ly.
heart beating with joy at the prospect of
few quiet days in the old Southland
with it's interesting, tender-hearted, hos
pitable people.
as it was too late to see any one that
afternoon, L. could think Of nothing NOR
enjoyable than walk up one of thu
quiet, oak-shaded trees which led from
the hotel. l had not gone more thar
seven or eight blocks squares they cal
them down there) when my attention was
attracted by an old darby who hurried
would allow, down the steps of an old
colonial mansion just few yards ahead
of me, and OH down the wide garden|
path. L came up just as he reached the(
gate, and could see that he was breath
ing heavily and that his eyes had an ex1
cited look in them. had involuntarily
now, prompted by something in his
glance, l came to halt.
Excuse me, boss; excuse me, sub"
he began; II knows I amt got no privi-
lege to approach you. sub. when you
don't know who I is, but dis huh is
matter Of Lite an death, sub, an Cord
| knows what's gwinter happen" He
paused here for breath, and | asked him
what l could do for him, in the hope that
ne would give me clue to what he was
driving at.
It's jes' dis way, sub. Mars John
! done sot his mind on it that Miss Nancy
amt a-gwine marry Mr.. Frank, an Miss
| Nancy jes' as much sot on it dat she is.
Ole marster done say as how eff Mr..
Frank come huh he's gwinter shoot him,
an from de way he look I speck he
gwine do it. Miss Nancy she up in her
room eryin' her eyes; out, an de whole
spoons bility done res on me.'
1t was evident that the old darby was
very much in earnest. but | thought that
lie had exaggerated the state of affairs,
and | could see no way in which could
aid him, although I must confess that
my curiosity was very much aroused.
| WHO is Mr.. Frank:'' I asked.
| Mr.: Frank? Why he Cunt Braxton' s
son: De cun1 an de ole marster was
de bes' of friends up twel gwipe on two
years ago, den Cun'l Braxton don win
out on a lawsuit wild ole marster, an
day amt speak sence; leastwise nobody
amt hear 'em. Den de cun'l he tell Mr..
Frank he mustn't come over huh to see
Miss Nancy no mo-; an just think. sub.
dem chin ben KNOWN one :nuther sence
they was babies: Mr.. Frank ben off to
de wan, an. he gifts back today. He done
writ Miss Nancy note an tell her he
comm up dis ebenin' cause he's tired
foolin' round dis way. an he know they
love one nuther, and OATS all dey is
bout it. Ole marster got hor of de note
by mistake, an dar you is. I done prom
is ole missus jes TO- she die dat I gwin-
ter look arter her chile de bes' I could;
an dat l gwinter look arter her happiness,
an now she done crowd pale an thin
a-worryin', an l don know what to do,
Ebery time l look at her big blue eyes,
jes like ole missus' was, 'cept they 50
! erwin"
Here the OLD fellow glanced over my
shoulder down the street, and I saw him
start and hold up both hands.
! "Oh, Lordy; hubs Mr.. Frank a-comin'
up de street now. l don know what !
gwine do cause he arus was head
strong"
He started down the street toward a
tall, rather good-looking young fellow
| dressed IN fatigue uniform and with q
sergeant.s stripes on his sleeves, who was
| strldlng In our direction. l stepped back
from the gate as they approached, as !
| did not wish the man to think me stand.
ing there in an apparently prying manner
l could see the old darby holding out his
hand with an appealing gesture, and his
gray head was bobbing up and down in
his excitement; but Oh they came, and as
IN very determined way, and a pair OF
| brown eyes that gazed straight ahead
| with look that seemed to reflect a
made-up mind. This strange pair passed
! through the gate and up the biz white
! steps.
| l stood leaning against the fence, great.
Moved by curiosity, but restrained by
IN these peoples affairs. Just then a
pistol shot rang out, and without fur
Their hesitation turned into the wide
| path and went up the big steps four at a
| time.
The front door opened at my touch,
and found myself in one Of those old
the left aud the wide stairs winding un
before me-: To my right door, evi-
IDENTIFY leading to the parlor, was aiar.
and through it I heard the sound OF
voices. went over and pushed it gently
open, and the scene which met my ewes
was strange one indeed. On the floor
lay the old darby. and on his left side
the old brown coat was already colored
with blood. I could see that he was
badly hurt: His head rested on the lap
Of beautiful girl. To one side stood
the young man, and leaning over the
darby. holding his hand, was ine-
looking old Southern gentleman with
| white hair and 'nlustache. A pistol Law
on the floor near the door,
They did not seem to observe my en-
trance, so absorbed were they in the
parts they were playing in this little
drama of life-we might say tragedy.
The cid negro was talking in a low and
weak but perfectly audible voice.
Zone minute, Mr.. Frank he was saw
ing, ut amt 40 use fer you to fetch no
doctor: | knows l gwinter die, an dar's
Sumpin l wants ter say to you all befo'
l 60. knows, marster, dat you never
mean to shoot ole Dick. 1 knows dat.
An 1 step in front of Mr.. Frank 'canse
| thought dat Was what I onohtor ID +