Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-09-27

fian, starting up
why, 60 away-only for few days"
What for?"
On account of the young mamie swears
he will kill you.'
Kill mel ha, ha, ha," contemptuously
sneered Ned. Why, he is only child"
You should have heard him speak; there
was something in his voice which was more
than the words You had better leave"
Ned gazed at him in astonshment, and ap-
peared puzzled at his comrades conduct and
intention.
WHAT away from a boy? I leave
ueverW he shouted, with his blood aroused
"Talk to me of leaving-by hi | will kill
him on sightp and he stood glaring around
like tiger watching for his prey; "and if
You don't leave here, I'll move you too
The man straightened himself; an angry
fash passed across his face, and he assumed
threatening attitude; but, suddenly relax
ing, he walked slowly away. Not so with
Ned; his bad passions were aroused; he had
been foiled in his revenge, and determined to
seek satisfaction. His face was illuminated
with fiendsh smile, which struck horror
into those who witnessed it, for it proclaimed
death. He drew a large bowie-kmfe, and
started up the steps to Harton's room
Those around dared not to interfere with his
actions; fear restrained, and certain death
would have followed intercession.
The youth lay in high fever; his parehed
lips were compressed into each other, aEd his
large flashing eyes seemed starting from
their sockets. His pale face was almost livid,
and two bright spots glowed upon each
cheek He raved of his unsuccessful attempt
at revenge, and cursed the despoilcr of his
happy home. The blood trickled from the
gaping wound upon his forehead, and added
to his gastly appearance.
Bloody Ned entered the room: Harton
grew frantic at his sight, and leaped ma
way, as the truth flashed upon his mind-he
was to contend with a madman. There was
no time for thought; Harton sprang upon
him at bound, with cry of exultation.-
The rulfian was prepared, and made a fiendish
sweeping thrust, but aimed too high. The
maniac seized the arm which held the wea-
pom, and there commenced a struggle, such
as none had ever before witnessed The hot,
scalding breath of crazy Harton famed his
cheek; the froth flew in flakes from his burn
ing lips; and those eyes seemed sinking into
the desperado's soul. He exerted bis utmost
strength, but it availed nothing. The fever
was raging in Harton's veins, and his brain
was on FIRE. 1t seemed to-iBvest him with
superhuman power, and his fingers hung to
his opponents arm with the tenacty OF a
vice. They felt as if they were entering the
flesh, and Ned gave groan of anguish
His strength was failing; that grasp it was
impossible to shake off, and he determined to
place all on one single effort. Dropping the
knife, he wound his loose arm around Har-
toms form, and, drawing him closely to him,
endeavored to wrench his other arm from the
yice.like grasp.
The maniac gave yell of delight as the
weapon fell upon the floor, and quick as light
ming loosened his hold, and seized the now al
most exhausted ruffian by the throat. The
fingers grew tighter and closer; instead of re-
laxing, they seemed to increase i'll strength.
Ned wildly struck at him, but the blows were
harmless. They gradually grew less, and
finally ceased. His eyes started from their
sockets; his face grew black, and his tongue
protruded from his mouth. A few gurgllng
sounds came from his throat, and he sank
back utterly exhausted The maniac, grin
ming with fendish delight retained his hold,
and he fell with him. His face was lit up
with maniacai expression Of exultation, and
he sank his fingers deeper into the already
stiaed throat One gasp, heaving Of the
chest, and gurglng sound, proclaimed the
death of the desperado.
About ten minutes afterwards, crowd,
which the landlady had collected by her
shrieks, came pouring into the room. The
maniac was still over the prostrate form, his
fingers sunk deep into the Aeshy part Of his
victims throat and cunning, malignant
smile Illuminating his ghastly countenauce.-
They gently raised him, without his making
the slightest resistance, and placed him Oh a
couch Every effort was made to resuscitate
the form of Bloody Ned, but it was too late; /;
his spirit had fled.
Harton sunk into profound slumber, from
which he was not aroused for hours. When
he awoke, he regained his faculties. but still
labored under high fever. 1t was some
time before he entirely recovered, and the
dreadful conflict appeared to him as a dream.
Years have elapsed, but many still remember
the Single Combat" and death of Bloody
philadelphia Mercury.
An ignorant but well-meaning man, having
been placed on the commission of the peace
in rural district in England, declared on
taking his seat as a magistrate, that it
would indeed be his most anxious endeavor
to do justice without fear, favor, or affection.
In short said he, emphaticaly, II would take
care that on this bench | will be neither par
tal nor impartial"