New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-06-14
sketch--The Arkansas Coward
BY CHARLES sUM21ERFIELp.

The beautiful little town of Van Buren, on the
Arkansas river, near the Cherokee line during its
early history, famous for the number and erocty
OF its desperadoes, being the principal meridian and
locus OF rendezvous for gamblers Indian traders and
all sorts OF adventures who had found necessary TO
change their domicie from lands governed by rigid
criminal code. The halfbreed braves from the
Cherokee nation all focked to the same site to drink
carouse, take hand at cards, and exhibit their pow
ers IN sangulnary set tos' with pistols and long
knives Such state of society may be imagined
it cannot be described. Not sun performed its cir.
cut that did not witness dreadful single combat
Win Or without murderous weapons, while now and
then dozens at time and by mutual agreement from
mortal strife. 5s5i5 - -
At this period Thomas A. Myers emiprated II Ar.
kansas, and opened large grocery store al Van
Buren, acting himself as keeper and retailer Such
an occupation at that time required man of the
M most determined courage as the store had always
back room or shed attached specially appropriated
to gambling, both by day and night, and where the
players were supplied with the choicest liquors at the
bar and would be sure to bully the grocer out of his
reasonable charges, unless restrained by fear.
For while, however, Myers succeeded admirably
The haltbreeds, loaers, and chartered fighters as
they called themselves, held caucus and unan
mously voted that the new arrival was q dangerous
subject and had better be left alone This verdict
altogether owing to the strangers personal an
pearance, as military as might well be conceived.
Tall, manly, and symmetrical in shape, with great
endowments both of strength and agility, he would
have had few equals in the arms Of naked nature
But by the cunning inventions of art, ron steel and
lead, and the thunder and lightning of grln-powder
are made to fight for the feeblest bosom, and thus
dwarts and giants, provided both alike the heirs
OF true courage, now stand on the same dead level
1t believed also that Myers possessed the resolute
will to handle those awful engines of destruction
where life and death hung on the touch of trigger
His countenance betokened the perfection of bravery
His face wore generally stern expression, and when
that melted into smile, the smiles seemed sterner
hloPl- wild
trating, and restless, and had that cold cleaning
metallic look which may be regarded as the surest
sign Of desperation Besides he carried appalling
supply OF pistols, and bowe-knfe fourteen inches
in the blade. Hence everybody was respectful and
obgng to the ostensble hero for period of several
weeks, during which an unusual calm regned through
out the village. aa Eay@i-5. IN
At length terrible affray occurred at Myers gro
Gerry. Halt dozen firearms exploded in quick sue
cesson and the deafenng so frightened the keep
er that he took to his heels and fed from his own es
tablishment. The fact settled public opinion as to
his character.
"What chicken-hearted coward to run from his
own castle" exclaimed General Cole, the Napoleon
of frontier dueists and gamblers
''Why, he hasn't the spunk of dead possum II
sped Bill Green the dandy loafer, combing his soap
| locks'' with his long rosy nails.
| '' Let's drink his liquor and smoke his cigars and
not pay him for them, because as how he's coward
said Jack Warhawk, huge halEbreed, and having
enuncated this anatlema OF genuine Cherokee
glasses and hand out cigars, crying" Toast to the
brave, my boys! Well never want while the world
has chickens of the white feather.n
The firing in the grocery having ceased for more
| than an hour, being replaced by din Of the most
boisterous mirth, Myers, by great effort, mustered
the spirit to return He found the customers helping
themselves with vengeance, and thought to over
| come them by the assumption Of heroic airs. He
snatched revolver from his pocket, and pointing il
at Warhawks breast, ,semly ordered him to leave the
house. ,,,. TM
If that's what you're arter,' shouted Jack, un-
sheathng his big bowle and springing back the
counter, here's what will give you lade full. U
| Myers still kept the revolver presented, but his
hand shook like leaf in the tempest and his very
lips grew white with terror and his very feet nvo
unfairly retreated backwards by short, quiverins
| steps. The two feelings, physical fear and moral
| courage were struggling for the mastery. He was
endeavoring to act brayely, but his nerves refused
their concurrence and he remained SO to speak, il
enthusiastically incapable of acting at all. Hewas
| impotent to fight, and as poWerless to fly.
There was no hesitation in the conduct of JacE
Warhawk. Blandishng his big knife with his righ
hand he seized the locks of Myers in his left roaring
at the top of his lungs:
| ''Down, coward; down on your narroN-houes o
by the blue blazes I'll cut your throat!"
Incredible as it may seem, still holding his dead,
revolver, loaded with six rounds covered to the foo
like beaten hound, and begged most piteonslyf hi
| litea prayer which the mocking halfbreed granted
| on condition that he would treat the crowd for
| whole week.
From that time the unfortunate Myers was subject
to every species Of insult and outrage The ioaerS
would pull his nose for mere amusement, the half
breeds would spit in his face TO make him treat ant
Gen. Cole, when intoxicated would strike him witt
his cane, to cure him of his cowardice. as he said
The poor grocery Keeper brooked all these gross in
dgnities with the patience Of martyr; and woult
sometimes meeky remonstrate with them thus
Gentlemen it is ungenerous to abuse me thus, fo
I confess Ihave no courage-l cannot fight"
This continued for whole year, when chang
occurred that caused tine insulters to their gnobl
persecution. He had beautiful wife, whom he love-
with the tenderest passion. One day, when the hus
band was absent the hideous halfbreed, Jack Wal
hawk instigated to the danning deed by the persus
sion of Gen Cole went to the grocery keepers prvat
residence and matreated his lady in the most shame
full manner.
| Myers returned home to find his beloved one
tears, He heard the narrowing tale without extern