Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-07-18
DUEL By CiNDLE-LIGHT.

day-not alone from the circumstances |
am about to relate, but no matter. The
experience Of every early adventurer
here is dotted with enduring landmarks,
to guide the noiselcss steps Of recollec-
ton back through the dim vistas Of the
past and enlighten the great way of life.
Broad, this evening. is the road of travel
to-day, and flowers still blossom beside
it, aud thoins linger in the sight; but
farther, and it narrows into thread like
path, along which the flowers lie dead,
sentlcss, and touching here and there
at & few moments of bliss, or sepuchre
of hope approaches the confines Of mem
DRY, and is soon lost to sight.
Well, it was the l7th of November.
The day had been dreary, dazzling one,
and, as the night approached, the wind
ulled, and 4 heavy fog rolled like a
mighty avalanche Of snow over the hills
west of San Francisco, and settled in
thick, almos; drenchiDg mist, over the
house tops and muddy streets. 1t was
ndc. q cherries evening, and we do
not wonder then, nor do we now, that
the gambling houses were crowded, and
the bars Of the drinking saloons thronged,
for the city was full Of Strangers and
promeuaaing tho half paved streets, by
tie uncertain light Of an occasional door
lamp could scarcely be deemed posi-
tive enjoyment.
The ''El Dorado" was the great centre
Of attraction. Ii was not only one Of
the largest and most substantial slruc-
lures OF tie city, but its proprictors were
men whose wealth was counted by tens
Of thousands; and every bank in its spa
cious soioon was loaded with golden slugs
and ounces. Through the room were
ranged 10 less than twenty tables at
which were plaid faro, monte, rouge ct
nor, lasquCnot, and variety of other
games, the very names Of which have
ESCAPED me; while from the raised plat
form poured forth & flood of exquisite
music, by band Of the best musicians
Ia ths 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 duet before an audiance Of gamb.
!ers. Simonton, the well known violinist,
and Pattiuos, one Of the best panists IN
the State, for two years occupied together
the platform Of the Gel Dorado" at Sac,
ramento, receiving $64 per day for their
services, and the very best musician in
the city once had an orchestra at another
gambling honse IN the "City Of tue
Plains"
As we said before, tie '.El Dorado"
was crowded. Many were betting and
yenturing their last dollar with an uncer-
taInty characteristic to the times, while
as many more were Glowing their way
from one table to another, with another
object tLan The qualification Of their curl
osity, and tie vain hope Of seeing des
perate gamester slap a bank and win il. :"
A dozen or more were reeling through
the saloon, entirel Y too wealthy iu their
own estimation, even to covert the piles
Of lucre around them, while not a few
might be seen with hands iammed into
their empty pockets, staring abstractcdly
at the progress of game which had re-
lieycd them Of the last ounce.
The band commencen It's second per-
formance for the evening, aud seemed in
tent on bo!StrOus execution 20 drown the
clamor of clinking silver, when tall,
muscular looking miner stopped in front
Of the door, and, gaziDg moment at
the scene within, buttoned his thr coat
around him stated slowly down Washig
ton street. He was coarcely, but com
fortaby clad. A pair of heavy brown
whiskers con pletcly covered his face, and
the broad brim of SLOUGH hat rested
almost upon bis shoulders.
"This way, Jane" said voice to
fomalo who had just emerged from n
small wooden building Immediately be.
low tho "El Dorado" aud stood hesita-
ting beside pool Of mud and water.-
The miner stopped, and, rs the woman
carefully selected a stcpping-placc and
| spgang to the pavement, be involuntarily
caught her by the arm. Somewhat sur
prised ut the prompt assistance she gazed
at his uu>horne face for moment, and,
thanking him politely, passed on with
her companion, who had taken a more
circuitous, but less dangerous Ito his pol
ished bnots), route to The sidewalk.
Hes;taing moment, the miner fol-
lowed. lie started IS as he saw her eater
the gambling saloon. Pushing bis way
through the crowd, he next discovered
/ her seated at monte table. We do not
wonder that he looked at her more than
1 once, and that his heart beat and bis
/ dark eye flashed; for her sweet face was
care-worn, and the smile that plaid
on it was as meaningless as waysido
/ sunbeam. Her conn anion who scaled"
and "cashed" the game rs she turned the
cards, was what any lady, without too
close scrutiny of his face, would have pro
nounced fine looking man. He was
dressed in extraordinary good taste with,
perhaps too great display of iewelry.
| His features were regular, and his ewes
piercing and restless; but that proud curl
Of the lip, which not unfrequently de.
notes fruness and manly indeDend-nca.