Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1860-01-24

4 DUEL BY CANDLELIGH
sE = =
,o-A.r. A STORY OF REAL LIFE.

It was in the winter of 1S51-the 18th
Of November. Well do I remember the
.day-not alone from the circumstances
~ am about to relate--but no matter
The experience, of an early adventurer
here is dotted with9enduring landmarks,
to guide the noiseless step of treeollec-
tion back through the dim yistas of the
Lazpast, and lengthen the great way of life.
Broad, this evening, is the road we trav-
eled to-day, and flowers still blossom be-
side it, sandz thorns still, linger in the
sight; but further backsit narrows into a
thread-hke path, along which the flow
ers lie dead and scentless, and touching
here and there at moment of bliss the
sepulehfe of hope approaches the con-
lines of memory, and =. s. IS soon lost to our
sight: .g..,f - : - .reI !. ee.,..,;
Well, it was the 18th of November,
The day had been aadreary, drizzling
one, and as night approached the wind
Iulled, and heavy fog rolled like a
o mighty avalanche of snow over the hills
= west OF San Francisco, and settled In a
slathi6k, almost drenching, mist over muddy
ID street and housetop Twas, indeed a
cherries evening, and we did not won
der then, nor detwe now, that the gam
bling houses we're crowded, ,andsthe bars
Of the. drinking saloons crowded, for the
city was Sthronged with strangers, and
promenading the half paved streets, by
the uncertain light of an occasional door
lamp could scarcely be deemed a positive
~ enjoyment, ss,.,5,i zs.zasi @sa ss
ssa.ig The ssEl Dorado was the great GEN.
ter of attraction. It was not only one of
the largest and most substantial struc-
Id lures in the city, but its proprietors were
tnmen whose wealth was counted by tens
-saof thousands and every bank in its ca
70 .pacious saloon was loaded with golden
slugs and ounces Through the room
were ranged no less than twenty tables,
at which were played faro, monte, vingt-
set noir, lansquedet, and a variety OF
other games, the very names of which
> have escaped me;l while, from raised
ss7platform poured forth ascontinual food
Of exquisite music, from band of the
best musicians in the country The
finest musical talent in the State found
employment, in the gambling saloons OF
San Francisco and Sacramento, and
many Of the most noted performers in
the country to-day, made their debut be-
fore an Aapdiencexef gamblers. Simon
lstton, the well known violinist and Petit,
NOS, one of the best pianoists in the
State, for two years occupied together
-. the platform of the Ell Dorado at Sacra-
zu.mento, receiving sixty -four dollars pei
- day for their services, and the very first
musicians in the city once led an orclfes-
Sa at another gambling house in the
sSsty of the Plains " - -
AS we said before, the El Dorado was
crowded. Many were betting and ven.
turing their last dollar withtan uncertain
eharat teristic of the times, while as many
more were elbowing their way from one
table to another, with no other obiect
than the qualification Of their curiosity
i and the vain hope of; seeing some des
sperate gamester etttap a bank and win. ;
A dozen or more, were reel1ng through
the saloon, entirely too wealthy, in theil
own estimation, even to covet the piles
81 of lucFe around them, while not few
might be observed with hands jammed
T', in their empty pockets, staring abstractly
at the progress of game that had re-
lieved them Of the last ounce
The band had commenced its second
,ags p6TIOTIdHCG lUIl IiS Gf6HlHSS5, anu SetHlee
Intent, in boisterous execution, to drown
the clamor of clinking gold, when a tall
muscular looking miner stopped in from
sssef the door, and gazing moment at the
scene within, ibuttonod his thin eoa
.safound him, and started slowly dowr
Washington street. He was eoarsely
but comfortably clad. A pair of heavy
brown Whiskers completely covered hi'
:. face, and, the broad brim Of slouchet
hat rested almost upon his shoulder,
ia ,'sThis way, Jane, said voice to a fe
-aa male who had just emerged from small
wooden building Immediately below th'
EI Dorado, and stood hesitating besid'
"A Pesl of mud and water rszg.a ~
"a The miner stopped, and asithei woman
carefully selected stepping place anc
sprang to the pavement he involuntarily
caught her by the arm, Somewhat sur
prised at the prompt assistance, shs
gazed into his 0unshorn face for mo
4 nient, and Thanking him politely, passeo
on with her coinpanion, who had taker
more circuitous bnt less dangerous (tt
his polished boots) route to the side
.iat.Walk- II % llI9a iy55ls Ha:J as g7i2
Hesitating moment, the miner turned
= and followed lie started as he saw he
!, enter (. the gambling saloon. Pushing
his way through the crowd, he next dis
.SE covered her seated behind mo - table