The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-07-13

6 EMME say it to we in big letters,

Fred peterson, 81 JS~
+o see the whole meanin' at one peep.
~ Won steal my Betty, an run on ana
marry her. I'll fill your hide as 1uli u
holes as a musical sieve!
Thus spoke old Ben P1tcn1oro "
vounr Fred Peterson as the TWO s'oou
~ the road. on Kinniconnick CREEK
Nv one MAY morning three years ago.
The Young man, tall and broad, grace
full as the pine that, on the NH aooNe
them, swayed to and fro at the 'ou.n
of the winds, met the blazing eyes OF GU
non with n look of fearless mirth1uI-
,ess There was no defiance or I'm
rudence in his face. 1t was SUNSHINE
confronting a black cloud-light not
afraid to meet the blackness.
"Oh, shucks! Maj. Pitchford, l know
Won are a bad man with gun. l Know
you've got quick temper a cool nerve
quick yeand a perfect marksmanshlp.
know you have got skillful hand ana
n 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 woulo
never. never shoot your son!-your
son-in-law! err ha, ha, hal"
"You can't laugh me down, sub. I've
swore it, and nobody ever hearn OF ola
Ben Pitchford ever tellin' lie, Inucn
less swearin' one. I'll kill you II 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 1 ever offended you? l 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 man
in these hills. Now, you know what l
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 PitchfordPeterson feud for so
years or more?" returned the old fell
low, with q grin of mockery.
"Yes," said Fred, II knew of the
| I, & 10 .,,<
Son for your opposition"
ut hain't, eh?"
mo, sir; it might be good enough
for savages or beasts, but-beg your
pardon-not for civilized people"
"Then am savage-a beast?"
mot altogether, by any means, sir;
but you show the traits of one, il 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.
son, that you haven't secret fang
eager to get into my flesh, and that
= your lkin' for my gal alone keeps il
. out? Answer that!"
1.-The answer is easy, sir; l am a grad
uate of the Pennsylvania university.
Education only wraps the fang will
silk"
1T plucks out the fang"
Your great-grandfather kille,
mine"
Your grandfather killed mine"
!. AN uncle of yours killed m,
brother"
"A brother of yours killed my uncle.
|, Forty corpses lay along the tract
of that feud."
Eyes, 49,"
: Now. what do you think of that 2"
think it's high time to stop II
les, think it's time to cut down tn
It old tree that's borne so much fruit n
# blood and death, and make a weddin
l. bonfire of the branches. That's ms
: what Betty and Ipropose to do. We dc
I cided, long ago. before we graduated
= that we'd close the book at the blood
- chapter forever"
,e You can't get my consent, suh."
Of II shan't ask it,
al And II you steal her. by heaven-re
ID member my oath-I will kill you!"
n The two men instantly separatee
es each going his opposite way.
ae Fred Peterson was moving alo, ~,
=, = road with long, graceful stride. III
- o'rds strove to catch him with lox
q songs; the brook leaped up and shoute
le with merriment; the butterflies II,
al sprinkled the brown road ahead wit
many vivid colors, but he heard notl
On ing, saw nothing. His vision w,
turned inward, where great confi;,
= was raging.
Il will have her, I will have her II
T. lore another MONTH" he circulated.
> "Of course you Wilt" cried swee
merry voice from the side of the ron
7 of course you will, or I'll sue Won :,