The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-12-14
Molly Burnes' Method
(Original.1

lOriginal1
In colonial days group Of planters
in the vicinity of Williamsburg, Va,
lived on terms of intimacy. They made
long visits to one another's houses.
hunted, feasted, danced, gambled and
drank rum together. Old Colonel Rod
erick Burnes, who had come over to
escape Cromwelrs rule, had a very
pretty daughter. South of him on the
James lived young Harry Swift, who
inherited his domain when lie came of
age, and northward on the York was
a middle aged bachelor, Albert Mar
shall, who was considered the best
swordsman on the peninsula.
Harry Swift was madly In love with
Molly Burnes. In her heart Molly ia
vored her suitor, but it was not to be
supposed that one who sat horse bet
ter and followed the hounds more reck-
lessly that any girl in Virginia would
surrender without being chased. She
told Swift that she would only marry
man who had proved his bravery
under the code duello The young fell
low had seen Marshall cast longing
eyes on her, and Marshall had defend
ed his honor oftener, 1t was considered,
than was necessary. 1t was plain to
Harry that Molly meant that she pre-
ferred the duelist planter to himself
One day hunting party stopped at
the Kings Arms tavern at Marshall's
invitation, and while drinking Marshall
proposed the health of Charlie over
the water" referring to the future
Charles II. Harry Swift, who was
present, affecting a sympathy with a
cause he had no interest in, protested
against the toast, using abusive Ian
guage. This put damper on the par
ty, for they all knew the insult would
lead to duel and that Marshall could,
under the code, kill any man there
about.
How Molly Burnes got wind of the
result Of her coqucttish words to Swift
does not appear, but when the insult
was given one of her favorite negro
boys was present at the door of the
tavern holding her fathers horse, and
it is supposed she got it from him. At
any rate, the prospect Of her lover be-
ing put out of the way by Marshall,
and that by her own connivance, was
by no means agreeable to her; indeed,
she was surprised at her concern in the
matter. Unfortunately she was with
out power to break up an affair with
which she had no direct connection,
SO she proceeded to make matters
worse by becoming directly, though Sc
cretly, party to the trouble. As
luck would have 1t, gentleman from
Maryland, Mr.. Ashley, was visiting
in the vicinity, who had the reputation
of being the best swordsman in the
southern colonies. On the evening Of
Swift's insult an anonymous note was
received through the post by Mr.. Mar
shall stating that the Marylander had
been maligning him.
Since Swift had no reputation what
ever as swordsman, and Ashley was
| the best in the south, it was not only
becoming of him to fight Ashley first.
DuI SUCH WAS Ills OWN ucSiEe.
Harry Swift, having arranged to be
killed by Mr.. Marshall, spent the even
/ ing before the meeting with Molly
Burnes. He did not tell her that he
had come to say what would doubtless
be lasting farewell, nor did she tell
him that she knew what wns expected
OH the morrow. He appeared very I'M
easy till a servant entered and handed
him a note She watched him while
he read it, noting his expression. and
it appeared to relieve her She inferred
from 1t that the Marshall-Swift affair
had been postponed to make way for
the Marshall-Ashley affair. Harry
made no comment on the note. but at
once took his leave.
1t was not necessary then as it Is
| now to keep an affair of this kind Sc
cret. Indeed. when an insult was pass
! ed meeting was in order. The Mar
ail-Swift-Ashley affair was talked
of all over the peninsula. In the coffee
houses at Williamsburg men discussed
Mr. Marshall's obligations in the mat
I
to what those obligations were. II
took some time to settle matters be-
tween Marshall and Ashley. Marshall
demanded that Ashley should retrac'
what he had said and acknowledge
that he had lied. Ashley, who wished
to fight, did not deny that he had sian
dered Marshall He had heard Of Mar
shalrs reputation with the sword ant
was not ayerse to trial of skill witt
him A meeting was arranged for tht
third day after the receipt of thu
anonymous note. The hour was sun
rise. The place was grove not fal
from Colonel Burnes' plantation.
On the appointed morning the prin
!. cipals and their seconds were on th'
. ground, and in waiting was youn,
Swift, who was to be attended to b.
Mr.. Marshall after the first meeting
should Marshall survive it. The rsin;
sun was flashing on the swords of th
disputants when clatter of hoofs wa
heard, and Molly Burnes dashed on t
the ground
, Gentlemen" she said, put up You
swords. wrote the letter chargin
Mr.. Ashley with slandering Mr.. Maj
shall. The charge was false"
A thunderbolt from heaven could nc
have created more surprise.
What did you do it for, Miss Mo
: lyi" asked Mr.. Marshall.
II piqued Harry Swift unintentior
5 ally, and the result was that he cha
lenged you. Knowing you to be til
) better swordsman, drew upon you
5 Her tongue refused to proceed.
"A better swordsman still. Good!
: woman's way; good way for won
5 an, and a good woman"
Staining To Molly he kissed hl