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


Two ounces were throwrnstead OF one.
He lost second timeand again and
again, till a pile Of I'D pieces were
transferred from his pocF to the table.
LET your husband de, said The loos-
or, addressing the wonn, "perhaps 1t
may change my luck"
Certainly" said the amber, reach
ing for the cards.
At the mention of the ord "husband,,
peculiar smile re8te on his lips, and
the eyes Of the woms dropped to the
table, as if u avoid II stFanger-that
he might not read in lom confession
that she had no husban, although she
was q mother. But he,ead it all.
Again the cards VIE dealt. There
was perceptible Nervousness in the nand
and strange twinkle i the eyes OF the
miner as he drew fronthe pocket OF his
oyor-coat two purses All eyes were
turned towards him.
III bet two hHdred ounces on the
ace - he exclaimed tAhe astonished gam
bier, dropping the sacks Of dust upon
tie table. ..nad vii draw the cards
myself.
Five hunted dollars is the limit"
exclaimed the gambler.
"fhcre IS no limit to your rascality."
Numbered tie stranger, "nor should
there be to yur game" and he replaced
the purse in lis pocket.
The gambler sprang to his feet, with
his hand upon his revolver; but ere he
drew it bioy from the horny fist Of the
miner sent hin reeliny to the floor.
In;a monet all was confusion. A doz
en- gamblers rushed from the tables to
the rescue of the fallen blackleg, with
pistols aud knives Offering in the lamp
light. The woman raised to her feet
aud stood specifics behind the table.
'Stand ba,k," shouted the miner,
drawing from belt. with his left hand, a
huge bowie knife, and swinging an eight
inch navy revokor in the other; "stand
back" lie repeated, retreating against
the wall as he gamblers attempted
to close in upon him, cor, by the Moth
of God I'll show the floor with your
carcases."
"Shoot him town." cried one Of the
gamblers, brandshing pistol above his
head and evincirg little inclination to un-
dertake the job himself,
1.-The first nan that pulls trigger
dies" said the elderly man breaking
through the crowd, and placing himself
beside the lion-hearted miner. "Ten to
one is too great odds for any man. He
is stranger TO me-, but, by h, he shall
have fair play"
Right! Right" shouted the crowd,
beginning to understand the nature Of the
boil "give him chance" and dozen
moro pistols suddenly found light.
LIT me ut him' yelled the gambler
who hal been knocked down, trying to
reach him through the throng.
Hold" said The elder man. who had
first insisted or fair play, elf you really
want to fight, select some spot where
there are few spectators; if not, put VI
your weapons"
"You are right, my FRIEND" said the
miner; "Jut l will meet you scouudreI
where he will, when he will, and with
what lie will"
Enough said the gambler, rendered
desperate in this way; ''iollow me with 8
friend, and | win accommodate you in
ten minutes :"
II am completely at your SERVICE
said the stranger, "but | have no friend
here" he continued, turning to the man
beside him, "unless can call You one,
from the friendly part you have alrca ly
assumed in this difficulty"
Il will not desert you now" said the
old man, ex ending to him his hand "fol
you are brave man; Kentuckiau
knows how TO appreciate courage
The miner smiled, and stepping to,
ward the table whore the woman was sit
ting, pale and trembling, said to her in :
lew voice:
Fear nothing-if you are sent for
do not fail to come = then taking the
arm Of the Kentuckian, he followed the
gambler, who was just quitting the sa-
loon, accompanied by friend.
MY friend" said the miner, rs soor
as he had reached the street, 'sthe fight
ing must be in room alone, and with
out seconds-with what weapons ] care
not. Let whatever may transpire here.
allar excite no inquiry, and will explain
all tomorrow.
The Kentuckian bowed. Both par
ties went down Washington street fol
some distance, and halted before q two
story brick building. The door wa.
opened by a Chinaman, and, taking :
lighted candle, the gambler led the way
mp flight Of stairs, to a small back
room. 1t had one window and was fur
nished with q cot bedstead, q washstanc
and two chairs. Placing the light upor
one Of the latter, the gambler strobe to-
ward the stranger, who had just entered
and said:
+" Here is the place, and now is the
time"
He expected the miner to manfes
symptoms Of terror at the announce
ment, and ask to defer the meeting; but
he was in error, and the cool reply OIL
Exactly p rendered him aIarmingly
cognizant Of tbs fact.
As last effort to shake the resolution