The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-02-17
From tie California Golden Era.
AN EXCITING STORY..AD DUEL
BY CANDLE LIGHT.


November. Well do remember the day
not alone from the circumstance am
about to relate, but-no matter. The ex
perience Of every early adventurer here is
dotted with enduring landmarks, to guide
the noi-eIess step of recollection back
through the dim vlstas OF the past, and
lengthen the great way Of life. Broad,
this evening, is the road We travelled to
day, and flowers still blossom be-ide it,
aud thorns linger III the sight; but further
back, and it narrows into a thread ike
path, along which the flowers are dead
and scentless, and touching here aud there
at moment of bliss or sepulchre of h pc
approaches the confines of memory, and is
soon lost to sight.
Well, it was the l7th of November
The day had been a dreary, drizzling one
and night approached the wind luIle'i,
and heavy fig rolled like mighty ava
anche of snow over the hills west of San
Francisco, aud settled in thick, almost
drenching mist over muddy street and
housetop. Twas, indeed, chilly, cheer
ess evening, and We did not wonder then
uDl w VIC Lo", tlIdt TIC IdllbIilO houses
we're crowded, and the bars of the drink
ing saloons thronged, for the city was full
of strangers, and promeuading the half
paved streets by the uncertain light of an
occasional doorlamp could scarcely be
deemed positive enjoyment.
the III Dorado was then the great
centre of attraction. 1t was not only one
OF the largest aud most substantial struc
lures in the city, bat its proprietors were
men whose wealth was counted by tens of
thousands, and every bank IN it's capaciou,
saloon was loaded with golden stugs and
ounces. Through the room were ranged
no less than twenty tables, at which were
played faro "monte," "vingt ct .un,"
" rouge etnoire," Iansquent" and va
riety of other games, the very names OF
which have escaped me; while from a
raised platform poured continuous flood
of exquisite music from band Of the best
musicians in the country. The finest mu
scaI talent in the State found employment
in the gambling saloons in San Francisco
and Sacramento, and many of the most
noted performers in the country to day
made their d, but before an audience Of
gamblers. Simonton, the well known VIC
lInist, auG Pettinos, one of the piauists in
Tue State, for two years occupied the Plat
form Of the "El Dorado" at Sacramento,
receiving SCI per day for their services,
and the very first musician in the city once
led an orchestra at auother ga ;. bling house
in the 8 City of Plains"
As we said before, the eel Dorado
was crowded. Many were betting and
veuturing their last dollar with an uncon-
Germ characteristic Of the times, while as
many more We're elbowing their way from
one table to another. with n other object
than the qualification of their curiosity
and the vain hope of seeing some desper
ate gamester tap" IA bank aud win 1t, y
dozen or more were reeling through the
saloon. entirely too wealthy in their own
estimation to even covet the piles of lucre
around them. while not few might be
observed with their hands jammed into
their empt1 pockets, staring abstractly AT
the progress of the game that had relieved
them OF their las. ounce.
The band had commenced It's second
performance for the evening and seemed
intent in boisterous execution to drown
the clamor Of clinking silver, when tall
muscuiar-looking miner stepped in front
of the door, and gazing a moment at the
scene within, buttoued his thick coat
around him, and started down Washington
street. He was coarsely but comfortably
clad. a pair of heavy brown whi>kers
completely covered his ace, and the broad
brim of slouched hat almost rested upon
his sh rulders
&" his way, Jane said voice to a fe
male who had just emerged from a small
wooden building Immedlaiely below the
(" Fl Dorado" and stood he>itating beside
pool Of mud aud water The miner stop
ped and as the woman carefully selected
a stepping place. and sprang to the pave
ment, lie Involuntary caught her by the
arm. Somewhat surprised AT the prompt
assistance, she gazed into his sunburnr
face for moment and thanking him po
litely, passed on with her companion, vino
had taken more circuitous but less dan
gerou, 10 his polished boots) route to the
sidewalk
Hesitating for moment TIE miner
turned and followed. He started AS he
SAW her enter gambling saloon. Push
ing his way through the crowd, he next
discovered her seated behind monte Ia
ble We do not wonder that his dark eyes
hlshed-for her sweet face was pale and
careworn, and the smiles that PLAYED upon
/: as meaningless As wayslde moonbeam.
Her companion who called" and cashed
the games as sne turned the cards, was
what any lady, without a too careful scru
tiny OF the face, would have pronounced
good looking man. He was dressed in
tho extreme OF good taste, with the excep
ton, perhaps, of too great a display Of
iewelry. His features were regular, and
his eyes piercing aud restless; but that
proud curl Of the lip, which not unfre
quenily denotes frmness and manly in
dependence, in him was a repulsive indica
ton OF reckessness and dsdain
The cards were shuffled, and lay
out" given
Make your bets, gentlemen" sang out
he ov,tpl,lar .rb.fo h -