The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-08-21


about 1.-THE writer, the candidate, and
the proprietor of the paper in which it ap
peared To the last, indeed, was due the
fact that tie secret had been kept so close
The moment he first read the article, he
acknowledged the power of the writer, and
demanded hi name. Gregory gave it
without hesitation. The journalist was
surprised. He had seen The puDy lawyer,
he said, but never dreamed there was any
such stutf in him
Glow did you find him OUT, Gregory :"
by II biunder | got into his Office by
mistake, and then something just kind Of
struck me to try the thing on-a sort ot
experiment, you know"
"Does any one else know about it?''
''Nary one
"Then, see here-this must be Il secret
of honor between US! ! am going to Sc
cure that young man to write leaders for
me-he is worth his weight in gold-but
nobody must know who he is, and | am
almost certain he will never be suspected.
Remember, Gregory, if the secret gets
wind, I shall blame you!"
4, All right; I'm dumb!''
That very day Arthur Granger was Sc
cured, at a handsome salary, to write such
articles as the editor required from week
to week and i was further arranged that
the matter should he kept profound Sc
cret; and, to avoid suspicion, the parties
were only to meet when absolutely neces-
sary. and then either clandestinely, or
openly As strangers. The effect Of the
first article We have already mentioned );
but when, the succeeding week, some
three or four more appeared, of the same
stamp, if any thing even more caustic and
cutting, directed against the whole party
and individual members besides, the ex-
element increased, curiosity became eager,
and wonder grew apace And each sue
ceeding week but added fuel to the fame.
| The Democrats grew triumphant and the
| Wings furious; and when, the parties be-
ing nearly equally divided, the former car
ried the election by ii respectable majority,
the latter grew desperate, and raved Ike
lnadmen, denouncing the unknown writer
as a liar and a coward, and making a
standing offer of q thousand dollars to any
one who would disclose his name
" If you are discOverned Granger you
will have to quit the region on short TO-
tice!" said the proprietor of the Demo
cratic paper to the young lawyer, during
one OF their stolen interviews.
"Why So 2" asked the latter, quietly
' Because your life will be in danger -
"Whl they murder me e.
AT least they will insult and challenge
you, and you will have to rim or fight.
"Suppose | fight then p
''And be kiled?''
g | must take my chance, OF course
| shall be entitled to the choice OF weapons
at least
"What then? what can yop do: You
are not heavy enough for the Bowie, and
your antagonist will be dead shot,
"By yonr leave, he may be shot dead
himself
"Ha can you shoot
"With one OF my hair~triggers, can
snuff candle at ten PAGES.
You amaze and delight me- Where
did you learn to handle the pistol with SO
much skill ?"
''FOr the last two months | have been
practicing daily, in the woods, just out OF
town, preparing for such crisis in my
fate, which l have all along foreseen.'
"By heavens! " exclaimed the other,
grasping the young mans hand with in.
creased admiration, 81 am just beginning
to know you, and | am proud of your ac-
quaintance. To tell you the honest truth
| never supposed there was any more fight
in you than in girl Of sixteen; and for q
young man to be challenged in this region
and refuse to fight, is to be forever dis
graced, not even the genius of a Shake
speare, with the wisdom of Solomon
could give you any more influence over
these people; therefore l believed you
would be compelled to leave the State
"Mr. Bradley" rejoined the young mar
with compressed lips, and peculiar CLEAN
of his dark blue eye, 81 hope and pray il
may never be my fortune to meet an an
tagonist on the so-called field of honor
but should such be the case, mark me-
maay fall, bat he aciN die! Let US change
the subject
The crisis came. Accidentally the Sc.
cret was discovered, and in less thar
twenty-four hours, Arthur Granger re-
ceived three challenges to mortal combat
from three different parties. He callet
upon Mr. Bradley, bis employer, to act a.
his friend and second, and assured him ht
was ready to fight them ALL
i "My dear friend" said the journalist
grasping his hand, "this is serious busi
ness, These men are all practiced duel
lists, and considered dead Shots They
intend to kill, that is certain; and, to b,
candid, l see little hope of your escaping
all three am not so sure that Won shOu)(
accept more than one challenge at present.
ooh yes : ALL" returned the youn,
:, hero, positively. "Please arrange the frs
affair for sunrise to- morrow morning; tn
, second for halt an hour later; and th
third for half an hour later still. If I es
cape the first I shall be in time for tn