Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-05-21

signs of Indignation, If such they were,
lasted but moment, and as the pale
features settled back into their wontoned
repose, there was almost smile, though
some would have called it meaning
one, upon Lieutenant Newcome's face,
who, nevertheless, appeared subdued,
for he rose to his feet, as if 10 comply
with this very pressing invitation.
"Mr. Chowler," said our Lieutenant,
as they approached the filthy pen of the
liquor, stained boards, which enclosed
the, if possible, sill dirtier "bar," "Mr.
Chowler, l know your character! l am
entirely unarmed; have told you that
[ did not wish to drink, and 1 should not
do so now; except on compulsion; at the
same time, 1 prefer drinking egen aUith
yOu, to being shot down in cold blood. :"
To this the bully made no verbal reply,
but laughed insultingly; ordered "drinks
for two" laid his pistol upon the counter,
and at the same time, turned his head
slightly round, TO exchange telegraphic
congratulations with a companion, upon
the ease with which he, the accomplish
ed Pine Knot Chowler, had "backed
down one of Uncle Sans high falutin
pets"
But Mr.. Chowler's moment of triumph
was d, stined to be short-lived-indeed
its end was already at lland-for young
Newcome, who had an eye like hawk,
had been watching his unceremonious
acquaintance's movements keenly. He
saw the pistol laid down; thought flash
ed across his mind; to execute it was the
work of an instant. He edged quietly
towards the bar, and extended his right
arm as if 10 take up the tumbler, in VIII ;ch
the whiskey, brown sugar, etc, had al
ready been mingled for his benefit, in
stead of doing so, he leant forward,
showed his prosecutor aside with one
vigorous push of his left hand, and, at
the same time, grasped the weapon,
which fcrtunatel ly for him, was still cock
ed, and with one spring, placed his back
against the wall, and as they say OUT
West, drew bead upon Mr.. Jake Chow
ler's left breast, who, in utter amazement
at this most unexpected change in the
position of affairs, was, at the moment
regarding him with distended eyes, and
open mouth, not to dwell upon indica-
tions of bodily trepidation, which had
suddenly appeared upon the crest-fallen
bully's now anxious face.
"Mr. Chowler," said our young
Lieutenant, whose voice was even calm
er than it was when he declined the first
invitation TO step up and drink. "Mr.
Chowler, you had, or thought you had,
matters all your own way, but moment
ago; then, you were armed, and 1 was
not, now however, the tables are turned.
So as 1 have the superiority at present,
you will very much oblige me, as there
is fiddler present, by stepping out upon
the floor and favoring this good company
with specimen of your dancing"
Mr.. Chowler-But l don't feel like
dancin', stranger.
Lieutenant-Exactly what 1 said to
you, Mr.. Chowler, a short time since,
when you requested me 10 drink! but
though you do look as if You didn't feel
like dancing, l must really insist upon
your favoring US, the more so as your
friends seem 10 be anxious for you to be-
gin.
Mr.. Chowler.-But 1 don't rant to
dance stranger.
Lieutenant.-My own words, again
sir; but you must permit me 10 answer
your objection in the same manner that
you replied to mine: don't care wheth
er you do or not; l wish you to dance
for me: my name is Harry Newcome,
and when at my post, they call me, al
though not considered easy to whip, a
person who wont be imposed upon. Now,
Sir, will you dance for me, or shall 1 be |
under the painful necessity of carrying
out this parallel to our recent conversa-
ton, by promising to shoot you in case
of refusal?
Mr.. Pine-knot Chowler, looked into
Lieutenant's eye, which was fixed in
tently upon his own, and, for a moment
there was something in the almost fiend
like expression of the baffled ruffiar's face,
which bespoke tiger foiled, bus nerv-
ing himself for some desperate leap:
second glance, however, at the steady
hand whose forefnger rested upon the
trigger of weapon, which as nobody
knew better than Mr.. Jake Chowler had
never yet missed fire, had its restraining
effect: So with something that sounded
like smothered growl, Mr..
Chowler, stepped out upon the floor, and
made sign TO the terrified darkey, who
had, since the bully's discontinue, sat
staring with protruding eyes at the brass
Outtoned stranger, "to strike up some
thing about right" and began shuf1ing
away, like bean oPon hot iron plate!
but though his movements were awk- !
ward enough at first, there was some
thing either in the time or in the neces- [
sity of making the best of bad matter,
which seemed to operate soothingly up
'n the BOrderer, for as the negro bent !