Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-06-05

the spectators, 81 have'every reason to
suppose them, you would not have taken
upon yourselfto give me the lie,in their
presence. Pray, sir. what may be your
'Insoleut fellow Z cried Frank in con-
centrared rage. tl adi be
q Very well, if that name pleases you,
replied the banker with imperturable
calmness. Ishave the choice of wea
pons, sir. Perhaps it is well ycu should
know that never vet missed my man.
sYou try hard to. frighten somebody,
don't you ?'1said Frank, impatiently.
'I!-not in the least replied the
banker, with indifference. and with the
same cold sneer and smile of duplicitY.
But cannot find it in my conscience to
assassinate YOU 'a'1sas 5lI
And SO saying. he drew long rifle
pistol from his pocket. laid it onthe table
before him. H. s.
A death like silence pervaded the
room. .r-.- -.. la. I=.s .a.. ...
There, sir, he continued. this is the
best thing l have to propose-indeed, it
is all that l can possibly do to accommo-
date you. Bring the dice,' he contin.
ued. in the same tone of voice, turning
half around in his chair, and shut that
door, .... .....
The door of the play room was
closed, and the dice-laid upon the table.
The music of the orchestra and the hum
OF voices only y reached the room in sup
pressed and distant murmur.
Now then,' said the banker, here we
have dice and pistol, the highest throw
kills the otherl'
The young sailor approached the table,
seized the dice box in mere desperation,
shook it with Il convulsve energy, cast
one furtive glance towards the ball room,
and threw.
AS if bowed ny an electric shock, ev>
cry head was bent upon the cloth. The
action of this terrific drama had passed so
raPidly-snd the end was so near at
hand-that one could not believe in the
reality of this atrocious scene enacting
without noise or interruption, and hun.
dreds Of people within call.
The banker in loud voice, reckoned
up the points.
Six and six are twelve, and one makes
thirteen-a good throw, a very good
throw-upon my word, young gentle
man very good throw I
He took the dice. and replaced them in
the box with an air of the coolest indif-
ference. addressing the spectators
'Thirteen,' he exclaimed, very good
point, but it is always an unlucky num-
ber. Come. gentlemen. who bets q cou-
pie Of hundred on the life Of that young
gentleman yonder?' he continued fixing
his eye with malignant and deadly glare
on the young man, who quailed beneath
it.
The players turned pale, and remained
silent.
well, then,' said he with smile, 'as
there seems to be none to bet, here's for
myself" and the dice rolled out on the
table. ta
Fifteen You've lost, sir !! It's pity
too, with so good point. The affair
was we'll contested, at all events. So,
then, sir, your life belongs to me. Are
you ready?
All present drew back in terror. The
banker still stretched out in his chair.
was quietly engaged in adjusting the
lock, and carefully examining the prim-
ing OF MS pistol.
Il am ready replied the young man,
standing motionless before him.
"A little more room, if you please, gen
tlemen,' said the banker, at the same
time bowing to the spectators, and mo.
Lioning with his arm for them to stand on
one side.
Fire = said Frank, uncovering his
breast, his countenance beaming with in
trepidity and unshriuking resignation.
The banker withdrew his hand and
raised his head.
The spectators breathed once more
The unnatural scene had been protracted
too long, and for an instant there was
hope. "
we have not chosen our seconds he
remarked. But as for that he added,
after moments silence, these gentle.
men here may serve as Witnesses in case
Of need '0'aF ".
He levelled again and fired. The
young lieutenant lay gasping upon the
floor in the last agonies Of death.
The cards pass. gentlemen, cried the
banker, as he laid. the pistol, still smo-
king upon the table. ,..--. Eta
AT the noise made by the report OF the
pistol. the folding doors of the saloon
were burst open, and the crowd rushed
in. There was a piercing shriek-a
young girl fell senseless upon the bleed
ing corpse of Frank Vincent. It was Es,
telle, ..-..., 49, 49,.
The banker is now in California.
ARE We FAST People ?-One of the
most striking evidences that we are fast
people is furnished by the New York
Times. That paper says "When John