Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-05-12

tion by some withering sarcasm against his no
cuilar vices, he calculated one word of inyolun
tary retort- This brought down upon his devoted
mead rebuke, the most terrible ever fulminateC
rom Did the pulplt-at least in a Protestant land
The infuriate duellist instantly left the as
sembly, and waiting at the door till the ministe,
came out, he attempted to yindicate his homo,
Dy lnf1icting personal chastisement on the other
But the bystanders interfered and prevented
any serious combat at that time
On the next day, which happened to be Christ
mas, SeabOrn Ellis had an appointment to hold
forth at place in the county, about six mile.
from the town of Franklin, and directly on the
road to the county seat. The exercises com.
menced at four o'clock in the afternoon, and did
not close till nearly sunset As soon as the ser.
wee was ended the preacher left the house, with
the intention OF riding on to Fayette that night
III: surprise and astonishment. then, may well
be imagined, when, on passing through the door
he found Major Sneed, and about one hundred
OF his friends, waiting to receive him in most
ungracious manner.
" demand full apology" said the major,
In stern, overbearing tone, 4" for all the in.
suits that you have offered me-"
Ellis answered without changing countenance
or showing any external symptoms of unusual
emotion-''If have really insulted Won. T will
apOiogise IN the most satisfactory manner"
" Did you not on yesterday, proclaim me n
gamble and murderer, even from the pulpit
And do you not term that an insult of the
grosSest character?' asked Sneed, in accents
tremulous with suppressed rage.
" do not call the truth an insult" exclaimed
Ellis, with flashing eyes, and slight nervous
motion OF the right hand, as if he too was be.
coming excited.
" Then you will not apologize ~ shouted
Sneed, almost deranged with passion.
have nothing to apologize for" answered
the preacher, as his right hand was raised
nUi " nd To oil
and glided under his vest
4" Then L will take an apology ont of vour
hide ~ thundered the major, as he drew q
horsewhip from his boot, and began the brutal
work of fagellation.
But the duellist had only time to strike one
blow; for, before he could accomplish the Sec
ond, Ellis drew from his bosom long donble.
edged dagger, and plunged it up to the handle
in his enemy's heart. The latter fell and ex-
plred without uttering groan.
seize the rascal. Shoot the hypocrite ~
with various other menacing exclamations. cried
the friends of Sneed. And dozen knives few
from their scabbards, and the young minister
heard the clicking OF score of pistol locks
nearly all around him.
Not an instant was to be lost With tbe
speed Of the wind he fed in an oblioue direc-
tion to where his horse was fastened, Seized the
bride, and springing into the saddle at bound.
spurred the noble animal to his utmost speed
and. although several shots were fred after
him, he escaped without injury.
Ihe perlls that envirOned him, however had
only just commenced for his foes also on horse
back, set off in hot pursuit, and the chase con-
unued without lntermiss1On for four miles alone
the road which led to the Missouri river. There
as Ellis found that his enemies were about IA
Overtake him, he plunged into the woods. and
making considerable circuit. at length struck
the river at point higher up than he had first
Infa lad 10 a.
nately was open, and his pursuers coming in
sight, although it was growing dark, deserted
him, and, giving murderOus shout. hurried
forward to satiate their vengeance in his blood
lie had but one alternative-to stand and be
shot down like a wolf. or take to the water !;
but even this latter choice was horrible, on ac-
count Of the tremendous rapidly Of that fierce
ly ungovernable stream which, in addition to
Its ordinary terrors, at that time was thick with
floating ice, so that after dark even boats dared
not venture across.
However, as he had no other resort he goad-
ed his horse to the desperate leap, and in a mo-
ment the latter was struggling with the power
full wintry current. His disappointed enemies
came up the instant afterward, and watched
him moving forward slowly, but floating down
wards by the violence of the stream, with fatal
rapidity. until man and animal dwndled to a
mere black speck, hardly visible on the water.
and soon were swallowed up and totally disap-
peared In the darkenlng night. Not q behold
or, not one person who subsequently heard the
occurrence related, doubted that SeabOrn ELLIS
had gone to the bottom Of the Swift-rolling Mis-
souri,.
Nothing more was said concerning him for
years, and when his fame again began TO fill
mems mouths, it was not as preacher, but as
q most influential member of the Texan Con-
gress, and an especial friend of General Hous-
toms; and he is now, and has been for several
years, in the Senate Of the State. He is almost
universally admired and esteemed for many ex-
cellent qualities; and the only fault which can
be alleged in his character is that his wrath.
when aroused, is terrible as tornado. Ii is
commonly 30 with persons who have once shed
human blood. Their hands wander involunta-
rily to their knives ON the instant, and they can
never endure to their beloved weapons re-
moved beyond their reach. They sleep with
the cold steel under their heads, wear it in
their bosOms. Can il be possible then that there
is intoxication, mental witchery more power
ful than wine, in the crimson cup of murder p?
Oh, what fell infatuation is that which blinds
the eyes Of the bravest to the agonies of the torn
and bleeding heart that quivers beneath their
dagger points for the last time, and which shuts
up their ears against the mOurnful cries and
wild wailing lamentations Of fathers and moth
ers, OF wives and children, the bereaved rels-
tives Of the vanquiShed foe.-Nen York SIM
day Times.