Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1837-10-07
but indifferently,' answered the 11uth.
'And how art thou with pistol! tenand-


= have no skill in Shedding human 81 3d.
g Fore God! then, rash boy, Mat has
tempted thee to this fatal extremity!
Hatred of oppression,' replied ttbyouth,
I'm all its forms; and willingness 10 lie rath-
or than submit TO insult.
sDle then thou shalt! and that err to-mor-
rows sun shall setn Numbered MerIE, start
ing up In phrensy, and with hotse and
broken voice that made the hearts Of lie hear
ers shudder as If at the howl Of dogbr de-
mon. i challenge thee to mortal colbat.'
q accept the challenger
III IS for thee to name time and place, and
weaPon; but, as thou lowest me, let it no. be
longer than Tomorrow night, or l shall bust
with rage and impatience.'
Il love thee not, base dog!' replied Arnold;
but thou shalt not die so inglorious death.
will fight with thee, therefore, tonight.
by the mother of Heaven, boyn replied
Mentz, more and more surprised, sthou art in
haste to sup in hell! and the ruffian lowered
his voice. art thou mad?'
'.Be that my chance answered Arnold; i
shall not be likely to meet, even in hell,
companion so brutal as thou---unless, which
mean shall be the case, thou bear me compa-
n.y.
Tonight then be it, said Mentz; though
tonight my hand is not steady; for wine and
anger are no friends 10 the nerves.
''Dost thou refuse me, then!' demanded
the youth, with sneer.
Shy the mass, no! but tonight is dark;
the moon is down; the stars are clouded; and
the wind goes by in heavy puffs and gusts.
Hear it even now.'
Therefore said the youth, apparently
more coldly composed as his fierce rival grew
more perceptibly Observation-Disclosures will we
lay down our lives herein this hall---on this
spot---on this instant---eyen as thou stands
now
There is no one here who will be my
FRIEND said Mentz; so evidently sobered and
subduea by the singular composure and self
possession of his antagonist, that all present
held him in contempt, and no one stirred.
s'No NATTER cried Arnold; i will myself
forego the same privilege
s'And your weaponsF said Mentz.
s'Are here cried Arnold, drawing them
from his bosom, "a surer pair never drew blood.
The choice is yours
THE company began now to fancy that Ar
mold had equivocated in disclaiminl kill as a
duellest; and from his invinciblc 6Omposure
thought him a more fatal master ofShe wea-
pom than the bully himself. The latter also
partook of this opinion.
..Young man. he cried, in a voice cloud
ed and low; but stopped, and said no further.
..Your choice!' said Arnold, presenting the
pistols.
'Mentz seized one desperately, and said---
''Now name your distance
sBlood-thirsty wolff said Arnold, 'there
shall be no distance!!' He then turned aud ad-
dressed the company.
s.Gentlemen,' he said, deem me not either
savage or insane, that sacrifice myself and
this brutal wretch thus before your eyes, and
to certain and instant destruction. For me,
confess have no value in life. Her whom
loved have sworn to forget; and if lexisted
a thousand years, should probably never see
again. The rufTian is a coward, and fears to
die; though he does not fear daily to merit
death. have long heard Of his baseness, and
regard him as an assassin---the enemy of the
human race and Of CODA dangerous BEAST
whom it will be a mercy and virtue TO de-
stroy. My own life would well be rid of,
but would not fling it away idly when its loss
may be made subservient to the deSiruction OF
vice and the relief of humanity. Re, then
i yield my breath; and here too this 4 ifbline
and shrinking craven shall close his course o.
debauchcry and murder. My companions
fare: should any one of you hereafter chance
to meet Gertrude de Saale, tell her nobl,
flung away life which her falsehood had made
me despise. And now, recreant,' he said, il
a fierce tone, turning suddenly towards Mentz
splant thy pistol to my bosom, as will plan
mine to thine. Let one Of the company CT,
three, and the third number be the signal t
fire.
with an increased paleness in his counter
ance, but with even more ferocity and firm
ness, Arnold threw off his cap, displayed his
high brow and glossy ringlets. His.lips were
closed and firm; and his eyes, which glisten
cd with deadly glare, were fixed on Mentz
He then placed himself in an attitude offring
broadened his exposed chest full before his
foe; and with stamp Of fury and Impotence
raised the weapon. The brow-beaten bully
attempted to do the same; but the pistol, held
loosely in his grasp, whether by accident o.
Intention, went off before the signal. Its con
tents passed through the garments OF Arnold
who, levelling the muzzle Of his own, criee
lcalmly---sOn your knees, base slave! vile dog
|---down! or you die!'
unable any longer to support his frame, tn
unmasked coward sunk on both knees, ant
PRAYED for life with right earnest vehemence
i Again wild shouts of applause and delight
and peals Of riotous laughter, stunned his ear
4 Az he rose from hts humiliating posture, Al
mold touched him contcmptuously with hi
foot. Groans and hissess now began 10 b
mingled with several missives. Mentz cove
ed his face with his hands and rushed ffol
!. the room. He was never subsequently, see
among u.s.
4. .And Arnold!' inquired Norman:
Had been Tilted, like many good fello
before him, and az most men are who have
do with women. He was but a poor arti.
after all, and though my pretty mistress Q
couraged him at first, taken by his person al
manners, yet he was not high enough for 4
daughter even Of baron 3te
sAnd what became Of Mentz4'
! THAI know not. He, too, soon afterwal
lvanquished. Thus we meet and part in th