Oroville daily Butte record., 1856-11-18
Otuuille DaiIg 4utte Returh.
THE ARKANSAS COWARD.
A WESTERN SKETCH.
CONTINU ED.

airs. He snatched his revolver from
his pocket, and pointing it at War
hawks breast, sternly ordered him to
leave the house.
eff that's what your arter," shouted
Jack, unsheathing his big bowie-kniie
and springing over the counter. Here's
"hat'Il give you ladIe full "
Meyers still kept the pistol present
Cd, but his hand shook like leaf in
the tempest, and his feet involuntarily
retreated backwards by short quick
steps. The two feelings, physical tear
and courage, were struggling for the
mastery. He was endeavoring to act
bravely, but his nerves refused their
concurrence and be remained, so to
speak, in his equipoisc, totally lncapa-
bic of acting at ALL He was impotent
to fight, and as powerless as a fly.
There was no such hesitation on the
part OF Jack Warhawk Brandishing
dis knife in his right hand, he seized
the flowing locks of Meyers in his left,
and roared at the top OF his lungs:
"Down, cowardly hound, on your
marrow bones, or, by the blazes, lll
cut your throat"
Incredible as it may seem, Meyers,
still holding his deadly revolver loaded
with six rounds, covered to the floor
like beaten dog, and begged most
piteously for his life, prayer which
the mocking half-brecd granted, on
condition that he would treat the whole
crowd for a week.
From this time the unfortunate Mey-
ers wa subject to every species of in
suit and outrage. The loafers would
pull his nose for mere amusement, the
half-brceds would spit III his face just
to made him treat, and Gen. Cole,
when Intoxicated, would strike him
with his cane to cure him Of his cow
ardice, as lie said. The miserable gro
cery-keeper brookcd all these gross in
digntios with the patience of mar
tyr, and would sometimes meekly re-
monstrate
"Gentlemen it is ungenerous to abuse
me thus, for | confess | have no cour-
age, I cannot fight"
This continued for whole year, when
change occurred that caused the in
suffers to rue their ignoble pelsecu-
tons. He had a beautiful wife, whom
he loved with the tendercst passion.
One day, when the husband was absent,
the hideous hal-breed Jack Warhawk,
instigated to the dauning deed by Gen.
Cole, went to the grocery-kecper's pri-
vate residence and maItreated his lady
in the most shameful manner.
Meyers returned home TO find his
beloved one drowned, as it were, in
tears. He heard the narrowing tale
without external manifestations Of an
GER. or emotion. His face, it is true,
became somewhat pale, bis lip quivered
an instant, and settled to an express
sion rigid as mouth of iron, and his
wild, black eye, it may be, shot forth
few more beams Of penetrating fire
but he did not mutter curses. lie ut
tered no; u whisper. or menace, he did
not even deign to condole or sympa-
thise with his afflicted wife. He only
armed himsefwith bowie knife, four.
teen inches in the blade, from hilt to
point, and started for the village.
He came in sight of his enemy. pro-
menading the public square, and boast
inc of his villalnous achievement. At
this vision, Meyers lip curled into
horrid smile, and his dark eye melted
into a stream of tears. He approach
ed. till he stood nearly touching the
balf>brced, and then said, in a hurried
whisper:
"Wrctch, be quick, draw for, by
St Paul, one of us must die"
And he waited until the other should
be ready for strife on equal torms. lie
did not have to wait long, for Jack.
understanding that cold, glittering,
snaky smile, and those hot gushing
tears, as the certain tokens of murder
Gus madness, Immediately unsheathed
Mt the same moment with his adversary;
and then began the dreadful combat,
which was soon decided
Meyers parried three furious blows
of the hateful half-breed, and then
grasping his foes clothing with his left
5ap5 with the other plunged the knife