The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1855-03-23


dresse;; and bound, up, and the stranger re-.
turned to the social hail. The gambler. who
WAS ciafiipg with rage, eyed him with de-
mouiac look, aiil shaking his fist at him, cx-
claimcd-' T. -
81 allow no man to call me thief, and
you must give me satisfaction ~
"l'l give you any satisfaction You want,
yon cowarlly cu;-throat" was the reply.
"A"d if you can't, I'm the chap that
Will y exclaimed George, throwing of his
coat and hat. * -,.s, o..
p. stop, my tr.ersl, this is my quarrel, AMI
I'll allow no one to take my place in irm
Good, my Young Davy but that fellow
is biz cnough to swallow you"
"feS but may be he can't digest me-
at wouldn't be a fare fight" interposel
several by-standers
"Well; there's something that nullifies
brute force and places I'll on equal footing"
"That's the talk, Davv. You are my man.
"Xc!Iimcd Oeorg", sl"ppimg the stranger on
the back.
"iIc's right?" said one of the by-stanlcrs,
n man about forty years old stepping for
ward.
"Thc, young man IS right, and I'm his
h'NiiNt III tiIc IiIilLcI. II > US CIplf us ulN
am! the affair can soon hc settled"
This speaker had been Major in the
Texts Revolution, and led the stranger down
the cabin towards the state-room, telling the
gambler to have mattcrS arranged within
fifteen minutes. When they reached the
state-room, the Major sail-
. "llow Is it that person Of Your age un-
dc'stands so much about-cartls as to beat
these old gamblers ~
'CuioSity led nc to study them; but
never play but for amusement Most, if not
ali the TICKS, learned of fellow-boarder
WHO had spent great part of his time at
the gaming table. noticed that these hon
est countrymcn had been swindlcd, and
thought it would be IN act of charity 10 beat
gamblers with their own weapons, and re-
cover tho money for my partner and his
friend. Every time noticed the gamblers
secret cards, called for another pack Of
cards of n different color; and watched them
too closely to give them Il chance to cheat
in deal. They did not suspect until near
the finish Of our play. You know the rest"
"pretty good but do you think that
YOU could face that fellows fire ? lie is an
Old haul at the business"
but he's coward, or he would not have
drawn knife on me- Yet, ifit can be avoid
cd, would rather not meet him. / would
not like to have him meet his death at my
hands, nor would like to sacrifice my life
for so unworthy q purpose"
"lt is too late to back out nuw."
"Can't it be settled -
NO! ifyou refuse to. meet him every ono
will pronounce you coward"
"WeIl, if it.must be, suppose it must
but have no wcapons.'
"Novcr mind that; have 4. pair of duel
ling pistols, and so il you have any arrange
mcnts to make, be about it, for the time Is
short, and the affair should be settled before
it gels noiscd about the boat. III see to the
other matters"
'S;iay make the distance short"
"O"ly the breadth of the boat"
Only saying the young man went to his
own stale room, but SoonrcturncI and seated
himself by table in the cabin and com
mcnced writing. His face was pale-dead-
ly pllc-but there was tixedness of features
which at once told that bis mind was made
up. a tear coursel down lis check as he
wrote--but probably that tear WAS for those
far away, Yet to memory dear. Strange
Thoughts fitted through his mind-so Young,
and yet to stand OH tie brink of death--to
make one fearful plunge into that dark, un,
known river, and to be carried by its current
out into the ocean ofetcrnity to return home
no more. A lfrtimo passedin review in
moment. Yet the gcni said, $50 on-too
late !" To die or klI--either was dreadful
reflection. Yet the proud passions ofyouth
would not submit to reflection. 1t must be
done, and the sooner ii is over the be" -
so reasoned passion and passion triumphoI.
WhenL had finished his writing, he gave
it to the Major requesting him to follow the
directions which ho would find in Il noteld-
rected to himself in case he should fall. Al
SO to give his winnings to George tomake up.
for the loss he had sustained. 4|
Then they went upon the upper deck Of
the boat. 1t was calm, stillnight, the moon
shone forth in all It's pale splendor. As far
as the eye could reach nothing brt frosts and
water met the gaze. The boat had Just
rounded to SDr thopurpose ofwooding and
when she was again under way, the young
stranger, his second and three other persons,
anxiously awaited the approach Of the gam
bier. Scarcely n word was spoken -;none
felt disposed to disturb the silence that reign
ed. Half an hour passed, the gambler came
not. 1t was now suggested thatssome one
sOul1 oo in search of him The yaesser o,or