Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1904-12-29
CHAPTER VIII.

One day in the carly fall, Henry came
home accompanied 10y II young man.
apparently twenty-five years old who
had fascinated him by fiery speech II,
q political gathering. lie was a tall.
dark. handsome fellow, with something
of the corsair in his appearance. Rich
ard l.anvalc by name. II graduate of
West Point. After serving four years OH
the frontier he had thrown up his com
mission. and few months prior to this
time had settled in ncighboring
county and opened an Office for thu
practice of law. He was rabid So.
cessionist, eager for excitement. a flu
ent speaker, ready to drink or play nj
all hours, OF ready wit and utterly with
out fear. These qualities at that time.
in that community, had speedily
brought him into prominence, and he
was already recognized as the leader Of
the younger firc-catint element.
John cane In II few minutes after the
young man. and was duly introduced.
AS he shook hands with him John fen
i'm every fiber of his body sense of re-
pulsion that he had never before expo
rienced, and, to Judge from the expires
sion of Lanvale's face, the feeling was
reciprocal.
When Janet came into the room and
met the newcomer John knew in Il mo-
ment the depth of his trouble and the
cause of his aversion. Here was the
most MISUNDERSTANDING man of hia
acquaintance brought in contact with
the woman he loved, and, by II certain
keen insight which the young man pos.
sesscd, hvlnew that there was trouble
ahead.
Lanvale had no backwardness about
him, and showed very plainly his ao
miration for Miss Gregory, while the
young lady was evidently fiattered by
his marked attention.
At the supper table the conversation
naturally turned on the one absorbing
topic of interest. and Lanvale who, rs
usual, took the lead, wanted to know
what the colonel thought Texas wouid
do in the event of Lincoln's election,
The colonel said he very muck feared
secession would follow. :.
Why don't you hope s9S"
mo, do not want tsS|see the union
dissolve and Il bloodysNar precipitatcd."
"Wcll, that is just what wish to see,
but there will be no such luck; the Yam
KEGS won't fyht, and, even if they
would, we .,an whip them ten to one
Just Mhat think, too, ''cried Henry.
jobs had been silent, but Lanvalc
determined he should not escape,
s, he turned to him and asked, quite
significantly:
''What does our silent friend think?,
81 agree with Col Gregory" said
John.
"You do not want to fight, then?''
with scarcely perceptible sneer.
II certainly do not"
do you think we could whip the
Yanlsees?''
81 do not
"And pray why?'
Because they have got the number
and the resources; it might be a long
and bloody struggle, h,'t numbers and
resources would finally prevail
II am surprised that with your views
you should remain IN the south"
IL presume that one can remain in
the south and yet retain his honest con
victions.''
''Oh, then the rest of us are not hon
est"
III did not say anything like that"
Il have always noticed.' said Ian
vale. that your peaccablc men have Il
strong lot of reasons ON their side; a.
for me, Iprefcr to strike first and argue
afterwards
Col. Gregory had been listening at
tentively to the colloquy between tn,
young men. and seeing the trend of the
conversation gave the, signal for with
drawing to the parlor by rising from
the table.
Late that night as John was sitting
out under IL spreading oak smoking
Lanvalc sauntered down and opened ur
with:
so, my young friend, you do not pro
pose to fight?'
~ am not your young friend, and
will fight ut my own time, in my own
way"
Henry Gregory came up in time tc
hear thi, speech and Lanvale turned t.
him airily and said:
'You see have str0ck spark Of fir.
on this flint
''Oh. John is just out of sorts. Let.
go away and let him alone" sai,-
Henry.
Not so fast said Lanvalc. II mus,
see more of this cold-blooded citizer
who cares, 50 little FOR his country that
he would see it ins;lted without lifting
a hand in its defense
'At least i will lift one in my own
said John. and without any ado as Ii,
rose to his feet he la,nche,l out with his
left fist, and catching Lanvale unde,
the jaw sent him flying like a can.
nonball several feat For moment
Lanvale was stunned: then he rushet
towards John, but Henry Gregory, whs
had been thun,.crstruch by Johns
action. rushed in and restrained him
John did not move Lanvale's face
showed the passions of devil, as h,
fairly hissed out: Nothing but youl
blood will wipe out this insult"
Perhaps. said John, and thereupolt
coolly walked of 10 his room and went
to bed.
Iro BE ooNr1Sussjrf sj;f