Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-06-23
which no stretch of art might re-

combination which no stretch of art might re. create
 Finally the signal was given. Fearless of hls boyish foe, Davis seemed resolved to have deliberate aim, as he raised his weapon slowly on the deadly line; but the muzzle neve, reached the intended level, to be sure. as usual, of the victims heart. For with the last echo of the word |" fire" the pistol of vouno Thompson pealed the death knel of his hated rlvai. The report roared like thunder on the s'lli night ar, waking up ten thousand slum- oerlis ecnoes Tn the tall rocks beyond the river, as II the vlewless speetres of the mountain had also caught the rage of combat
 he victor bounded to bis promised bride. and graspng her icy hand, said earnestly Come, dearest, let us go; 10 one will hinder us now"
 s,' she answered, as if murmuring in q dream ''''s III d
 lie led her to Captain Turner, and asked: "iiI you give Us a passage to New Or :, certainly, with the greatest pleasure" was the generous response.
 r, no will bay the fare?'' ejaculated Col norn n tones of burning irony; "the boy is nesgar, as his father was before him!,
 IhaIia started as if stung by scorpion; all her natural and habtual pride came to the res cue overpowerlng even the strong resistance ol pleading love; and she faltered: II will not go; 1 must wait until you have home" I"
 ne boy staggered as if stunned bv an un- seen blow, and then standing up rigid as if chahged mt metallic form, he cried sadly. regardless of the throng: "I shall be absent TWO years; l shall come back wealthy if my bones are above the sod. But woe to you. if you prove false or tickle; and a darker woe to nm who shall dare to pass between you and mei'
 He kissed he- hand, and walked slowly away. Once only he turned, perhaps expecting hef lo recall hm, but she had already hurried OH With her stern-eyed old father. He cast one look towards the stars, so full of despair S'ooihy yet nerce, pregnant with unutterable denahce, and altogether ndescribable. that those who beheld it never will forget the fear. iul meaning stamped as with letters of hellsh light on that boyish face-never, until their dying day Then, in an instant, he bounded down the bank, leaped into his canoe, and sped across the river. He was seen no more in central Arkansas for years
 lh the meantime, he was fulfilling portion ot his awful promise. Where could you find steamboat on the western waters unfamiliar Wlth the name of the all dreadful gambler and duelst, Wade Thompson? What city journal did not occasionally recount some of his des- pefate deeds! lie played, too, with the most astonishing success; every card he touched seemed to turn to gold; so that by the day he hau speclhcd m his last farewell to Thaiia. he was actually rich. But the changeful cuaRette had then been married to another for dozen months; and she shortly afterwards died, whi h. perhaps, saved her husband from the former lovers wrath
 That mercless man can boast score of vic tlmS, all shot or cut down. either in lair duel. or III sudden nbat with an armed foe. and all on equal terms; if indeed, any terms of battle could be equal with that eve and that hand, both quick as lightning. But the most singular phenomenon iu the character of the desperado remains to be recorded With the exception Of the piercing blue eyes his coun- tehahce seemed mlld as that of woman; and always, when the diabolica lit of angry came over hls brain and heart, his features never fail ed t' assume an aspect of speechless woe, and he wonId burst into paroXi>m Of burning tears, every drop of which was soon made to count for one of blood.
 lie has been arraigned for homicide in half the States of the Mississippi Valley, but always Wlth the good fortune of av vOrahe verdict- lie k now m California, the same restless Wahderng Jew, doomed to the torture of eter- nal doubt and death; hated, vet feared; alone in crowds, suffering the old hearts blight, never Soothed by tone of pity; though of all things, percnance he deserves pity the most. For the everlasting laws have already punished him.