The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-17
sPARTANBURG, s. c. THURSDAY, JULY II, 1856.

ing. Finally, however, as there must be
an end to all things, and even to the most
delectable of affrays, tue tumult subsided
but not until two mon were slain, and three
others fearfally wounded. But, strange TO
tell, neither of those who originated the
trouble were materially injured. Thornton
had escaped entirely unhurt, aud his op.
ponent had only received some ugly but
not dangerous bruises about the face.
Nevertheless the latter was far from be-
ing satisfied with the result as it then stood:
but rs soon rs tho noise had abated. he
cried out, literally foaming with rage-.I
demand the satisfaction of d gentleman.
Young man, you owe mo for blow, aud l
will lake nothing but blood in paymen,r'
"Do not accept his challenge" whisper.
ed a lawyer from st. Louis. "He is dead
shot, and can bring down the widest bird
on the wing, or pierce the eye Of squirrel
at the height of the tallest tree. To fight
with him is equivalent to suicide!
"Is he a gentleman?' asked Thornton, in
the same low tone.
"He is generally regarded rs such," re.
piled the lawer; land he certainly possess
es the education, means, and social status of
one; UT few persons can be found so fool.
hardy rs TO throw their lives away in n
combat with him, whose aim is always
death"
Turnor in the meantime became inpa-
tent and exclaimed, scornfully-"I hone
that you and your friend will be AS quick
as you can conveniently in deciding what
seems 10 be difficult question in your
own mind, as to whether you will, or will
not, risk your cowardIy carcass on the field
Of honor"
81 only desired to know if you were
gentleman answered Thornton, calmly.
"And what is the conclusion at which
you have arrived on subject SO interesting
TO both Of us" snecrsd the duellst.
THAT will give you the interview you
ask"
"Whenl"
Whenever You please"
"Let it be now, within the present hour"
cried Turner, with eager impatience for tho
coming revenge.
81 am con,ept,n was ihsabrase response.
What weapons do you cboosol9 inquir-
ed Turner.
"Pistols," was the answer.
"ThenSwe can settle the matter at once"
cried the duellist, joyfully; "for we can
tight on the urpor deck of the boat, MS it
is not probable that the captain will land
here III the woods and wait till we have
finished our s.ortn
Very well" replied the other, in accents
rs careless rs if he were not at all interest
cd IN tho matter; ard accordingly, they
made immediate preparations for the dead.
ly contest. Doctor French, of the hawks
profile, was he second of Captain Turner,
aud tho St. Louis lawyer consented to act
rs the fricnd of Thornton.
When, however, they were all ready 10
proceed TO that part of the vessel selected
rs the place for the encounter, sudden ex.
Prcssicn Of incifable tenderness came over
tho countcnance of fThornton-someth
like tremulous drops Of dew gathered about
his eyes and he said. in mournful, nj
most sobbing voice: await five minutes.
aud suffer me to pay, perhaps, my last atlieu
to the wife tina: | welded this morninp.n
The request WAS ofcourse conceded. Tur.
or mt first smiled Scornfully ut the supposed
weakness of his adversary, and then con.
trtry and unaccustomed emotion seemed al
SO to arise from the lowest depth of his soul,
aud he mnrmured in a low, sad tone, which
resembled a.sigh ofnfnita asorrow-"And /.
alas!-l have no ono TO bid farewell! |
have no; friend on earth to shed n tear
1t faIl' There was something indescri-
badly thonching in the utterance of such
words by the hardened duellist-the mur
derous man, whose character was stained
all over with blood, and who had rivalled
in ruthless barbarity the very savages of
the wilderness. Whence emanatel this
strange ray Of feeling! What profound
cavity OF the heart had hitherto concealed
this lone pearl of heavenly dew from the
paradise of lie's golden dawn! Was the
solemn thought aroused 10y the flashing
rominisccnco o: some angel, with dove's
eyes and sunny hair, that lie had once call
ell mother, in the radiant years when he
TOO had a home, and drank the living wa
ter Of sweet aiiections.-or was it mo-
mentary glimpse into the future rather
than the pasta prescienoe more than a
memoryi Did n ghost from the other
world, one that his violence had formerly
hurled from its house of clay, whisper in
his ear the warning of doom which was
drawing near: But whatever may have
been the cause OF that mournfuI shadow
which darkcned his brow, it lasted only ar
instant, aud was replaced by his old ha.
bilual look Of fierce, sneering ferociiy.
1t is impossible to paint the parting scene
between Thornton and his beautiful bride.
There are many agonies in the history Of
human hearts, which no pen or pencil ever
welded by mortal hands should presume
TO approach. They are too deep for even
tears, unless the brain itself could turn to
liquid fire and weep itself away, like drops
OF molten lava. They are too intense for
ntteramce by any arliculate sounds, unless
the soul might speak in thunder. And no
co.ors ever brcwcd or mixed by chemists
att can represent the more than midnight
gloom OF such lorturing hours, in which a
whole eternity of WOO is compressed into n
moment, that would kill even thought itself,