The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1835-08-01

'Dy Hed'cH, ooy S'ieu ''N"'~ "'"'N
and more surprised, thou art in haste to
sup in hell " and the rufian lowered ms
. voice. sArt thou mad
) Gore that MY chance, answered Ar
mold Il shall not be likely to meet, even
J in hell, companion so brutal as thou
unless, which mean shall be the case,
thou bear me company
".To-night then be it, said Mentz ;
though tonight my hand is not steady
for wine and anger are no friend to the
nerves
"sDos, thou refuse me then p demand
ed the youth with IA sncer
"sBy the m.ass, no but tonight is
dark : the moon is down the stars are
clouded, and the wind goes by IN heavJ
nufIs and gusts. Hear 1t even now
".Therciorc,' said the youth, apparent
" more coldly composed as his fierce RI
val grew more Perc"publy agltatrd-
therefore wiIl+ye lay down our lives here
in this hall on tins instant even as
thou slandest now
~rrhere j. NJ one here who will be my
friend said Meutz so evidently s"bered
and subdued by the singular cop'posure
and self possession OF his antagonist, that
all present held him in contempt aud no
one stirred
".No mauer,' cried Arnold; Il will
myself forego the same privilege:
"sAnd your weapons ? SAID Nlcntz
".Are here,' cried Arnold, drawing
them from his bosom "A surer pair never
drew blood. The choice is yours
"sThe company began to fancy that
Arnold hui equiyocaled in dsclaiming
skill rs dueIist and from his invlncbIe
composure, thought him Il more fatal mas
ter of the weapon thau the bully himself.
The latter partook OF this opinion.
"Young man. he cried, IN voice
clouded and low but stopped, and SAID
no farther.
"sYour choice = said Arnold, present
ing the pistols. :,
IsMentz seized one desperately, and
said
"Now name your distance
.Blood-,hirsy wolf said Arnold, there
shall be no distance ! lie then turned
and addressed the company.
"sGentlemen, said he, deem me not
either savage or insane, that l sacrifice
mvself and this brutal wretch thus before
YOUR eyes, and to certain and instant de-
struc,ion. For me, confess l have no
value in life. Her whom | loved | have
sworn to forget and if l exist thousand
wears, should probably never see her IA
gain. This ruflian is a coward, and fears
to die; though he does not fear daily to
merit death. Ihave long heard of his
baseness, and regard him us an assassin
the enemy OF the human race and OF
Coda dangerous beast-,whom 1t will
be mercy and virtue to destroy. MY
own life | would we'll be rid of, but would
+ not fling it away idly when its loss may
, tbe made subservient to the destruction o
vice and the relief of humanity. Here,
then, l yield my breath and here too,
this trembling and shrinking craven shall
itclose his course of debauchery and MUIR
der. NV companions, farewell should
any one Of you hereafter chance TO meet
Gertrude de Saale, tell her l noby flung
away a life which her falsehood made me
: despise. And now, recreant,' he said, in
a fierce tone, turning suddenly towards
Mentz, 'plant thy pistol to my bosom, as
, will plant mine to thine. Let one OF the
company cry three, and the third number
S be the signal to fire.
"Wnh an increased paleness in hi.
j countcnance, but with even more lerosit,
and firmness, Arnold threw of his cap
displaying his high brow and glossy ring
lets. His lips were closed and firm anC
his eyes, which glstened with deadly
glare, were fixed on Mcntz. He ther
placed himself in an attitude Of firing
broadened his exposed chest tull before
his foe aud with stamp OF fury and i'm
patience, raised the weapon. The brow
} beaten bully attempted to do the same
but the pistol, held loosely in his grasp
, whether by accident or intention, w'n
off before the signal. Its contents pass
ed through. the garments of Arnold, who
levcllng the muzzlc of his own, crir'
{ calmly your knees, base slave viii
dog Down or you die !
"Unable any longer to support hi
frame, the unmasked coward sunk on hi
knees and prayed for life with right car
=, nest vehemence. Again wild shouts O
" applause and delight, and pcals of riotou
laughter, stunned his ears. As he aros
), from his Stimulating posture, Arnol
touchedtlim ntemptuously with his foot
, Croans and Kisses now began to be min
pled with several missiles. Mcntz GOV
!, cred his face with his hands and rushe,
from the room. He was never subse
4 quenily seen among US"
The body Of coloreG man was picke'
/, up in our Bay, near the mouth Of Lee
7, | Ill..-- 4 l...L 1 ..lLnr L.,