The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-27

thai you call your wife Is Stare, anc was
actually born in my kitchen. Here is the
bill Of sale, containing the names Of her
father and mother, for whose bodies l paid
down three thousand dollars. There you
behold the seal Of The recorders court :"
The other reeled, as ifhs had been struck
q terrible blow with an iron hammer, and
gasped-' Merciful God it cannot be 90.
This man must be:insane, or am dream
ing!'
fyou doub, my word, said the colonel,
whirling his watch.seal ansrily, 'yonder
comes old Judge Rice, who is familiar with
all the circumstances, and can prove every
item in my assertions a..-
The individual alluded 10, who had been
member Of the New Orleans bar for many
years, confirmed the strangers, story 10 all
its particulars. .-.
It would be impossible TO give the faint
es, idea Of the indescribable agony depicted
in the counienancs Of Mr.. Parks, as the as
touishing truth, with ali its horrible conse-
quences, broke upon his soul, like flash
of lurid lightning. He turned as pale as
death, and staggered as il about to fall to
the earth but by mighty effort he wresl-
led for minute or more with his grief,
and conquering, became suddenly calm, Blu,
still pallid as piece Of white paper.
'Why has this matter been kept secret
so longr the gardiner demanded, in tones
OF terrible meaning. WAS it a cunning de-
vice to win gold out OF human tears and the
blood Of innocen, hearisp
The colonel, laughing with delight q, the
remembrance Of his craft, boldly avowed
his own infamy. YES he said, ] wa.
smart noted how beautiful the slaves
were. and determined 10 make il pay Il
the highest figure. ! had them we'll edu'
Gated, and made the fools think that they
were really free. Under this impression
they removed 10 the Rio Grande. gave
them money, which they have increased
with more than compound interest, and
now have come 10 get pay for oil my
,rouble.' And the unblushing villain iwirl
ed his waich-chain joyously.
How much do you expec, me to pay fo'
my wife and children = inquired Parks,
with an awful smile.
Il must have ten thousand dollars, be
sides the return OF her fortune, amounting
to as much more y answered the colonel
with the most business-like GOODNESS.
Sounded, coward, thief, assassin! yot
shall never own one cen, from the earnings
OF my years Of toll y exclaimed Parks, in I
voice OF uncomfortable fury.
Mind what you say, for | will have
bloody satisfaction for every insulting wore
you employ" cried the colonel, growing
while with rage.
Then take II now y shouted Parks strik.
ing the other with such force in the face
tina, he rolled on the ground.
But Powers suddenly regained his feet
and wipins crimson streams from hi
mouth and nose, yociieraied-'I claim NOR
tai satisfaction on the spo, y
You shall have it-now-here " replied
The gardiner, in a voice which resembled
the wrathlul yell Of demon.
Some accommodating bystanders, who
had collected around the scene, proHsret
their services as seconds, and the terms o
the duel were Immediately arranged. ]
was settled tina, the two principals shoult
each be armed with pistol, aud assuming
their stations twenty yards apart, at The sig
nal might stand or advance, and fire when
they pleased.
At the word, Parks moved calmly ant
steadily, with moderate steps, towards his
enemy. The latter remained US fixed Jas a
marble statue in his position, with his am
elevated firmly, aud his dark eye cleaning
through the sights with deadly aim at its
mortal mark. When the other arrived at
the distances OF ten PAGES, the pistol, point
ed a, his heart, exploded with a loud roar
but he fal,ered not, paused moi, changed
not his march. The bullet had hit silver
coin which happened TO be in the pocket Of
his vest, and that alone had saved his life.
He never stopped until he was within three
feet Of his foe, when, for the fins, time rais.
ing the fatal weapon, he blew out the col
onel's brains.
Parks with his family, and all the Gar
cias, the next day removed Into Mexico,
where they ye, reside.