The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-04-20
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esIal on such occasions, addressed the
uouth, " no stood cool and erect, with fold.
I'D arms, awaiting the course Of events.
.sBfave Arnold, noble Arnold 4 gallant
deed The blood ef true gentleman is in
his veins.'
"Dut canst thou fight? 2" cried one.
slam only simple student, and sn artist
BY profession. have devoted myself TO
the pencil sad not the sword"
'sBai thou caust use ii little, cans' thou
not.'
"But indilltrcntly."
.And how art thou with pistol" de. /
maaded another.
.My hand is unpractised,' replied Arnold,
81 have no skin ia shedding human blood
s.For heavens sake, then rash boy, what
has tempted thee to this fatal extremity :"
"IIaired of oppression, in all its FORMS"
replied the youth. ''and Willingness 10 die
rather than sibmi, tuiusult-"
SDie then thou shalt, ADD that ere TO-
morrow,s sun has seti' thundcrod Mcn'2,
s'artiug Mp in phrcnzy, and in a hoarse aud
broken voice that made the hearts Of his
hearers shuiler, as If at the howl Of a dog
or a demon, 81 challenge thee Tomorrow
TO mortal combat"
"And accept the challenge"
'It is for thee to name time, place, and
weapons; but as thou lowest me, les it not
be longer than Tomorrow night, or shall
burst with race aud impotence.
"l love thee not, base dog" replied Ar
mold, shut thou shall, not die SO ingloriuns
death. will fight thee, therefore, 10
nght.'
"By Heaven, boz !" cried Mentz, more
and more surprised, ''thon art in haste to
sup in hell" anl the rn'lian lowered his
voice. Gar, ihcn mad?"
'Be that my chance answered Arnold:
] should not be likely tn meet, even IN hell.
a companion so brutal As thpu-uulr>s which
1nean shall be the case, thou bear me com
pany,"
"To tieh', then, be H." said Mentz,
"'hongh my hauh is no: steady; FIR wine
and anger are no fricnc> ~ nerveS'
"DlSt thou refuse me, them" demanded
the youth with sneer.
"By the mass, no; but to night is dark,
the moon is down. the stars are clouhed, The
wind goes by in heavy puts and gusts, hear
il even now.'
"Therefore; said the youth, apparently
more coldy composed rs his ierce rival
grew more perceptibiliiy agita'ed, "ihere-
tore we will lay down cur lives in this hall,
on this spot, on this Instant. even as thou
standes, now.'
"Therc is so one here who will be my
f.iend,' said Msntz, so evidently soberea
and snbduod by the singular composurc and
self possession Of his antagonist, that all
presen; held him in contempt, and no one
stirred.
''No matter, said Arnold, 81 will myself
forego tina, privilege"
"And your weapons -
care here" replied Arnold, drawing from
his bosom ga surer pair never drew blood.
The choice is yours"
The company began now TO fancy that
Arnold had eQuivoca,td in disclaiming skill
as duelist, and from his invincible oompo
sure, thought him more fatal master ofthe !
weapon than the bully himself
The latter also partook of this opinion.
"Younc man." said Mentz. in voice
clouded and low, but he stopped aud said no
more.
"Yonr choice" said Arnold, presenting
the pistols.
Mentz seized one desperately, and said; I
Shame your distance"
"Blood thirsty wolf" said Arnold. "we
will have no distance" lie then turned
and addressed the company:
"Geutlemen, deem me neither savage or
insane that sacrifice both myself and this
brutal wretch thus before yOnr ewes, 10 GER .
tain apI instant destruction. For one, ]
confess, Ihave no value in life. Her whom
] loved, | have sworn to forget. and If ex |
listed thousand years, should probably new
ersee her again. This ruiIian is coward,
aud fears 10 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 aud of God;
n dangerous beast whom il will be virtue
10 destroy Ny own life would be rid Of,
but would not fling it away idly. but when
I IS loss may be made subservient TO the de-
struciiOn Of vice aud the relief of humanity.
Here then, Weld my breath and here,
too this trembling and shrinking craven
Shnll close his course OF debauchcry and
murder. NY companions farewell; should
my OF You hereafter chance TO meet Ger.
trnde de Saale, tell her nobly flung away
lie, which her falSehood has made me de-
spise. Aud now, recreant," he said. in
herce tone, turning suddenly towards MenR
'plant thy pistol in my bosom rs will plant
mine in thine. Let one Of the company cry
one, two, three. and the third number will
be the signal 10 fire."
With increased paleness IN his coun,c-
nance, but with even more ferociiy and firm
ness. Arnold threw Off his cap. displaying
his high brow aud glossy ringlets. His lips
were closed and firm; aud his eyes which
clistened with deadly glare. were fixed on
Men'z. lie then placed himself in the at
tiiulc oliirng, broadcned his exposed chest
fnll before his foe, anl with q stamp Of fl-
~ andimpa'iencc. raised his weapon. The
brow beating bully attempted to do the same
but the pistol. held loosely IN his hand.
whether hy accident or intention. went or
before the signal. It's contents passed
through the garments Of Arno,', who. lev.
cling the muz2'e his own. cried calmly,
"On your knees base slave! down or You
die!"
Unable any longer 10 surpor, his frame
the unmaSked coward sunk on both knees.
md PRAYED with right earnest vehemcncc.
Again Wild Shonis Of applause and delight
and pccls Of rio'ous laughter stunned his
ears. AS hc rose from his humilia.iur TO.
si'ion. Arnold touched him contemp,uously
with his foot. Groans and Kisses began
now to minsle with several missiles
Men'z covered his face with his hands and
rushed from the ropm. He never was seen
subsequently among ne.
a fpNv unrls ,,,;n 49,. 49,.