Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-04-28
"Most assuredly.''
"But, l tell you, you must desist.,
SAnd / say 7 will mot

VI "hoin Should beware our threats are
contemplate! / don't care that for them -,
and he snapped his fingers very insultinely
under the very nose of the other.
'Don't--dOn't do that to me 20 cried Nut
ter, In accents of anger, 81 am not in a mood
to hear much from you.''
s'oh, such words can't frighten me And
now, tnat you have spoken, l hava a word to
say. 1ou must give up Miss Erwig''
hat, 20 exclaimed Nutter, in amaze
ment,
at once.'' ~
ssNeverio
''Then, sir, the consequences be upon your
own head''
Mr.. Thomas Twillett uttered these words in
menaclng tone OF voice his mind sugges-
ting at the moment vague idea of something
OF tragic nature which he might be compel
led to resort to in case his opponent remained
obstinate.
"Hal ha. the consequences repeated
Nutter, in tone of disdan s.what do care
for consequences 90
''lt is serious matter, sir, more serious
than you magine.''
''To you, indeed, it may prove so, but for
myself / have no fear"
'sThere is but one way, see, to settle this
affair."" said Twillet, at length sswe must
ight.''
Nathan Nutter clenched his fists, and scowl-
ed fiercely.
ssCome on 20 said he, with a smile of irony
ssI'll give you all the satisfaction You wish
There is fine spot, where we can have it all
to ourselves and he pointed to a vacant lot
short distance ahead, surrounded by a high
fence.
Thomas Twillet smiled derisiveB.
''Think you would resort to such ignoble
means u he cried ssNo, sir, you mistake
my meaning
Coward You refuse then, to do what
you yourself proposed ?''
''No, sir 20 exclaimed Twillet, with hero
ic air! s'I mean that you shall fight me with
deadly weapons. Blood-blood alone can set
tie this 20
s'Let it be as you say am not to be daun-
ted; will fight you whenever you will. The
death of one of us shall decide who shall win
the lady 20
every we'll, sir. You shall fight Select a
friend; for you shall hear from me before
night
ssThe earlier the better. will be prepared -
Arriving at a corner, they bowed stiffiy and
separated.
cepted. Seconds were appointed, and the
beligerants anxiously awaited the time OF
meeting.
They were to meet at retired spot on Sta
ten Island. The weapons were to be pistols.
The distance decided upon was fifty yards.
ing at seven O'Clock.
That night, be it privately spoken, neither
slept. Both wrote affectionate letters to their
relatives, and both regretted a hundred times
that they had ever seen the young lady for
whose sake they were about to brave so much.
But having gone so far, they could not now
retreat.
At the stated hour both parties were on the
field.
After saluting, the seconds retired together
a short distance and proceeded to load the
pistols The principals viewed the Operations
with faint hearts and pale cheeks. Both en-
deavored to assume air of nonchdlaace !;
but it was failure. Still: neither one attempt
ed reconciliation.
The two seconds, having concluded their
arrangements, returned. Each one spoke
few words of encouragement TO his friend, and
then they took their stations. The weapons
were placed in the hands of the adversaries
and the fatal word was spoken.
The explosion of two pistols rang out upon
the air, two loud shrieks were heard above the
noise of the weapons and two forms moment
after were PROSTATE upon the bosom OF the
earth.
The seconds rushed to the assistance of the
fallen men.
1t was soon discovered that neither had been
touched. The seconds were the tirstto ascer-
tain the fact, and it took some little time to
so, Nutter asserting in positive manner, be-
tween his groans, that the bullet of the other
had gone completely through his body, and
Twillet for a considerable time affirming that
his brains were entirely blown away. Finally
however, they were induced to believe that they
had been mistaken, and arose to their feet.
The seconds declared at this point that the
law of honor was satisfied, and hoped that re-
Cancellation would take place. The rivals in
terposed no objection, but on the contrary
FASTENED to carry out the suggestion of their
friends.
They shook hands, uttered the most profuse
expressions of eternal friendship, and started
upon their return to the city.
s.My dear Nutter,' said Twillet, as they
walked along arm in arm, ssI presume you no
longer have the least intention of claiming the
hand of Miss Erwig.''
any excellent friend,'' p repliend Mr.. Nutter,
ssyou are certainly laboring under great mis-
take in supposlng anything OF the kind
However, / cannot doubt that you have sur
rendered all pretensions in that quarter ~
ssFar from it; intend to urge my SUIT more
vigorously than eyer.''
Both frowned, but recollecting what they
had Just passed through, and fearful of bring
ing about another similar performance, they
prudently forebore to give way to anger.
ssWell," said Nutter. after quite long pause,
ssI see that we are in about the same position
as we were before We came mere, anu our uiH-
Guilty is not yet settled. But bet us proceed
in an amicable manner to a final arrangement
of it.''
"Agreed. But how do you propose that it
shall be accomplished &"
. "In a very simple way, and one which we
were blind to overlook Yesterday
s.Well, let me know it,
81 WILT is this: we both, think, love
Miss Erwig."
81 think we have fully proved that this NOR
ming"