The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-11-25

therefore, to-Di5Ht'
by the mother of heaven, boy,''
cried Mcntz, more and more surprised,
thou art in T. aste 20 sup in hell )" and
the ruffian lowered his voice, g. art thou
mad i''
" Tonight, then, be it," replied
Mcntz, though to o-night my hand is not
steady, for wine aDl anger are no friends
to the nerves.
" Dost thou refuse me, then I" de-
manded the youth with a snccr
f" Bt the mass, no but tonight is
dark, the moon is down, the stars are
clouled, and the wind goes by in heavy
puff, aud gusts. Hear it even now"
The efore," said the youth, appa-
rently more coldly as his fierce rival grew
more prrceptibly agiated-" therefore
will We lay down our lives here in this
hall, on this spot, on this instant, even
as thou standest now"
4 There is no one here who will be
my friend" said Mentz, 50 evidently
sobcrcd aud sublued by the singula
: compo urc and seli-possession OF hls an
tagonisl that all present held him ii
contempt, and no one stirred. "a
- No matter" cried Arm Id Il will
myself forgo the privilege"
"And your weapons" said Mcntz.
"Arc here" cried Arnold, drawing
them from his bosom, "a surer pair
never drew blood. The choice is yours"
The company now began to fancy tina,
Arnold had cquivocated in disclaiming
skill as Il duellst, and from his invinci
ble comrosurc thought him more fatal
master of the weapon than the bully
himself. The latter himself also par
tool, of this opinion,
Young man, he cried, in voice
clouded and broken, but stopped and
said no further.
Your choice," exclaimed Arnold
presenting the pistols. Mentz s2iz2d
one desperately, and said, 4" Now name
your distance
{" Blood-thirsty wolf" cried Arnold
there shall be no distance"
lie then turned aud addressed the
company
Gentleman, he said, deem me no,
savage or insane, that sacrifice myself
and this brutal wretch thus before your
eyes, and certain and instant destruc-
ton. For me. confess, l have no
value in life. She whom | haze loved
have sworn to forget aud if | existed
a thousand years, would probably never
See again. This rutiian is coward and
fears to die, though he does not fear
daily to merit death. have long heard
of his business, and regard him as an
assassin the enemy Of the human race
and of God dangerous beast, whom
it Will be mercy and virtue to destroy
My own life would be well rid of, but
would not fling it away idly when its
loss may be made subservient to the dcs-
truc,ion of vice, and the relief of human
| ity. Here then, yield my breath, and
here too, this trembling and shrinking
craven shall close his course Of dcbauch-
cry and murder. My companions fare
well; and should any one hereafter
! chance to meet Gertrude de Saale, tell
her have flung away life, which her
falschJod made me dtspise and now,
recrtant," he said, in a f,rce tone,
turning towards Mentz, "plant thy pis-
tol to my bosom-I will plant mine to
thine. Let one of the company tell
three, and the third number be the sig
nal to fire " ...
With an increased palencss in lis,
countenanc,, but with even more faroc
lty and firmness, Arnold threw off his
cap, displaying his high brow and glossy
linglcts--hIs lips Were closed and trm-I
aud his eyes which glisten ID with a dead
y glare, were fix d on Mentz. He then
places himself in an attitude of firing,
Droadencd his exposed chest full before
his face, and with stamp OF fury anu
mpalience raised his weapon. The
browbeatcn bully attempted to do the
same but the pistol held loosely In his
grasp, and whether by accident o in
tenlion went off before the signal. ltsl
con ,ents passed through the garments off
Arnold, who leveled the muzzle OF his
own, and said calmly" On your knees
base savo-vilc dog, or you die "
Unable any longer to support his
frame, the unmasked coward sunk on
both knees, aud prayed ioi life IN right
earnest vehem nee Again wild shouts
Of applause and peals of riotous laughterl
stunucd his ears. As he Sc from hisl
humiliating posture, Arnold touched
hlm cont mptuously with his foot
Groans aud bisses now began to be min
yl,.d with divers missiycs. Mentz COW