Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-03-17

cred Dervously as she shuffled the
painted cards.
/ have stated that all the previous
players withdrew rom the table, but
the generality of the remark must
be qualified by solitary exception.
There was one stranger, that had ar
rived in town the evening before,
who maintained his stand without so
much as giancing at the intruders.
No observer could look upon this
person, and fail to be struck with
the singular prestige of bis counte-
nance and carriage. He was tall,
rather slender shaped man, some fifty
years of age. straight as an arrow,
or as an Indian, with very handsome
features, entirely destitute of wrin-
kles, and extremely youthful in their
aspect, scarcely indicating half his
years. His vlsage, gestures, and all
his demeaDor. seemed grave, dign;-
fed, almost grand, and exhibited a
certain air OF touching melancholy
which heightened the interest crea.
ted by the first view of his fiultless
form and face. His eyes were small,
penetrating, and Of a yellowisb brown,
and literally cleaned like diamonds
beneath broWs Of majestic dimensions,
that looked alive with noble thoughts.
His dress was plain black, and dis
played a strong contrast with the gay
colors, rich ruffles, and barbaric orna-
ments of the triune Aliens.
The latter, at the outset, staked
a thousand dollars each on the queen
of hearts, and lost, while the stranger,
having deposited like sum on the
ace of spades, proved to be winner.
'By heaven! that trick was foul
swindling = exclaimed the eldest
brother, in tones of brutal insolence.
The cyprian and her paramour are
confederate thieves!' cried the sec.
ond Allen.
we must teach them righteous
ness at the mouth Of the revolver J
added the third.
Maria trembled so violently that
the cards dropped from her agitated
hands.
The gaze of every beholder was
instantly rivetted on the yisage of the
stranger, whose piercing eyes flashed
angrily as he deman led, in Tranquil
but terribly distinct voice, thoug b lit
tie louder thar whisper:
Gentlemen, do you intend to ac-
cuse the lady of unfair dealing, or me
of profting by her partiality?'
who the devil are you, that BAN
dy words with us, the boys of Ar.
kansas, the brayest among the brave?'
My name is Thomas Jefferson
Dugan,' answered the other, in the
, same low, thrilling accents, without
any sign of emotion, save the awful
flashing Of the yellowish brown eyes,
i am from the State Of Virginia,
the provelbial chivalry of whose sons
is never lalsified by any act of mine.
DO you mean this to be threat?
cried one of the brothers.
You may receive it as such, if you
feel so disposed, replied Dugan,
without betraying any emotion. 4
intend to convey the idea that when
am insulted, or my rights are out
ragged, I am ready to demand, OF ex.
act, that satisfaction claimed by gen.
tlemen throughout the world
you will fght?' cried the elder
brother in astonishment.
sAll three, if necessary was the
cool response.
'Wait till we break this Internal
cheat of a bank, and you shall be
accommodated to you: hearts con.
tent" said the eldest Allen, with a
fendish frown.
/ Again the young girl, with qaiv.
ering fingers, threw down the four
leading cards; again the trinity ol
wicked brothers risked their money,
and this time on the king of clubs;
but the luck still ran against them,
and they lost, while the stranger won
his bet Of fifteen hundred on the
queen of diamonds.
The she-rogue has played 'us
false, and we will rake the table !
vociferated the Aliens, springing to
their feet, and drawing their Bowie.
knives to execute their menace % ct
armis.
i But quicker than their motion
quick as the lightning's leap-was
the action of Dugan; for, bounding
four yards backwards, he covered the
heads Of the two boldest desperadoes