The Shasta courier., 1864-01-02

some three or more appeared, OF the same
stamp. ii anything even more caustic ant
cutting. directed against the whole party anC
individual members besides, the excitemen
increased, curiosity became eager, and won
der grew apace. And each succeeding weel
but added fuel to the fame. The Wing,
grew triumphant and Democrats furious
and when, the parties being equally divided
the former carried the election by a respect
able majority, the latter grew desperate and
raved ike madmen, denouncing the unknown
writer Il liar and coward, and making
a standing offer of a thousand dollars to any
one vino would disclose his name
If you are discovered, Granger. you will
have 70 quit this region on short notice. ;, said
the proprietor of the Wing paper TO the yoang
lawyer, during one of their stolen inter,
views.
Why So" asked the latter, quietly.
8 Because your life will be in danger.''
"Will they murder me-?
'At least they will insult and challenge
you, aud you will either have to fight OF
1un."
Snnpose l fight? ?'
'.Anl be killed."
Il must take my chance, of course. !
shall lie eutitled to the choice of weapons at
least
"What then what can you do? You are
not heavy enough for the Bowie, and your
anta gnnist will be dead shot"
By your leave, he may be shot dead him
self"
'Ha! and you shoot,
"With one of my hair triggers I can snuff
a candle at ten PAGES"
You amaze and delight me. Where did
you learn to handle the pistol with so much
skil?"
. For the last two months I have been
practicing daily, in the woods, just out of
town, preparing for such crisis in my fate.
which all along | have foreseen.'
"By heaveEsl'!' exclaimed the other.
grasping the young mans hand with increas-
ed admiration, 9. just begin to know you,
and am proud OF your acquaintance. To tell
the truth | never supposed there was any
more fight in you than girl of sixteen and
for young man to be challenged in this re-
gion and refuse to fight. is to be forever dis.
graced not even the genius of Shakespeare,
the wisdom Of Solomon, could give you any
more influence over these people; therefore
believed you would be compelled to leave the
Ssate.u
"Mr. Bradley" rejoined the young man,
with compressed lips, and peculiar gleam
of his dark blue eye, . hope and pray that
it may never be my fortune to meet an an
tagonist on the &C. called field Of honor; but
should such be the case, mark me-Im may tall
but he shall die! Let US change the SUBJ
jeet."
The crisis came. Accidentally the secret
was discovered. and in less than twenty four
hours Arthur Granger received three chal-
lenges to mortal combat from different par
ties. lie called upon Mr.. Bradley, his em-
ployer, to act us friend and second, and as
sured him he was ready to fight them all.
My dear friend said the journalist,
grasping his hand, "this is a serious busi.
ness. These men are all practiced duelists.
and considered dead shots. They intend to
xiii you, that is certain; and to be candid,
see no hops of your escaping all three. | am
not sure that you should accept more than
one challenge at present"
''Oh, yes-all, !" returned the young law
yer, positively. please arrange the first
affair for sunrise tomorrow morning-second
half an hour later, and third half an hour
later still. If escape the first | shall be in
time for the second; and if the second, the
third will not be kept waiting. IF fall be-
fore give each chance, of course | shall be
excused"
Bradley threw his arms around the neck of
the young lawyer. and fairly Rugged him, so
great was his admiration of his coolness and
courage.
"If you live through this ordeal" said he.
''you can aspire to any rank in the gift Of
the people in this fighting State'i
The meetings were arranged according to
tbn wish of (Nrap anH M ba II
hour he was on the ground with his friends ::
and so were his antagonists with theirs. and
so, in fact, was half the town of Little Rock.
who had come out to witness the fight. see
fair play, and, if need be. take hand on
both sldes-a part as friends, and part as
foes
The preliminaries being arranged, the
principals of the first duel were placed ten
ten PAGES apart.
:" Be firm and steady, and fire at the world"
SAID Bradley, as he shook the hand of Gran
ger and withdrew q
There were fey moments of breathless
suspense, and the fatal signal was given.-
In an instant the arms of the combatants
were raised like two levers of iron, and the
next was blended report Granger stood
nrm, with the blood trickling down his face
rom silght furrow In his forehead, plowed
oy the ball of his antagonist, who lay stretch.
ed on the earth. shot through the brain.
HIT but not hurt !" said the Young law
yer, eoolly running his finger along the
wound. as his excited friends rushed up to
him.
Such skill and courage we're enough for
even fighting Arkansas. A hundred stalwart
men gathered around our delicate little hero.
aud swore his life should not be put in ieop
ardy again, to please himself or ANYBODY
else; and placing him upon their shoulders.
they bore him back into town in triumph. his
Two waiting antagonists nowise regretting
the whim of the spectators that had saved
them from standing before such a fatal
maIksnan.
From that day forth, the star of Arthur
Granger was in the ascendant. He subse.
qusntly married lady of fortune. and rose
to the highest honors the State could give
him.
Great mental abilities coulj only he annre.
ciated in Arkansas when united with great
physical courage, and then the road TO dis
tinction lay open to the fortunate possessor of
both.
Though the names given above are all fc.