Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-11-29

commenced it was uncertain how it might
terminate. Before the tyrant bad recovered
from the stunned aud bewildered trance in
to which the blow, combined with shame,
grief, sstonishment and drunkenness, had
thrown him, several voices, after the ob'
stroperous calls for silence, usual on such
occasions, addressed the youth who stood
cool and erect, with folded arms awaiting
the course of events.
Brave Arnold Noble Arnold !! A gal.
liant deed The blood of true gentleman
iu his veins!
But, caDst thou fight cried one.
Il am only simple student, and an artist
by profession. l have devoted myself tc
the pencil-not to the sword
But thou caust use it q little -oanst not 2
asked another.
But indiferenty,' answered the youth.
sAud how art thou with pisto?' de-
manded third.
my hand is unpractised,' replied Arnold.
Il have no skill in shedding human blood.
Fore heaven then rash boy, what has
tempted thee to this fatal extremityr
Hatred of oppression, replied the youth,
sin all its forms and willingness to die
rather than submit to insult
Die then thou shalt and that ere to-mor.
rows sun shall set ? thundered Mentz, start.
ing up in phrensy, and with hoarse and
broken voice that made the hearts of the
hearers shudder as if at the howl of dog
or demon. i challenge the to mortal com.
bat
'And accept the challenge
lit is for thee to name the time, place
and weapon; but, as thou lowest me, let it
not be longer than to morrow night, or |
shall burst with rage and impatience.'
Il love thee not, base dogp replied Ar
mold 'but thou shalt not die so iDglorious
death. l will fight thee, therefore to-
night
BY heaven, boy 7 cried Mentz, more and
more surprised, 'thou art in haste to sup in
hell = aud the rufian lowered his voice
cart thou mad 2
BE that my chance answered Arnold /;
i shall not be likely to meet, even In bell,
companion so brutal as thou-unless,
which l mean shall be the case, thou bear
me company
Sand your weapons P said Mentz.
Are here cried Arnold, drawing them
from his bosom "a surer pair never drew
blood The choice is yours
To night then be it, said Ments thougb
tonight my hand is not steady; for wine
and anger are no friends to the nerves
Doth you refuse me then p demanded
the youth with sueer.
by the mass, no but tonight is dark
the moon is down; the stars are clouded,
and the wind goes by in heavy puffs and
gusts Hear it even now.
Therefore,, said the youth, apparently
more coldly composed as his fierce rival
grew more perceptibly agitated therefore
will we lay down our lives herein this
ball-ou this spot-ou this instant-even
as thou standest now
There is DO one here who will be my
friend, said Mentz; so evidently sobered
and subdued by the singular composure and
self possession of his antagonist, that all
present held him in contempt, and no one
stirred
mo NATTER cried Arnold; l will myself
forego the same privileges
sThe company began now to fancy that
Arnold had equivocated in disclaiming skill
as duelist and from his inVincible com
posure, thought him more fatal master of
the weapon than the bully himself. The
latter also partook of this opinion.
Young man, he cried, 10 a voice cloud.
ed and low; but stopped and said 90 fur
ther.
your choice p said Arnold, presenting
the pistols.
sMentz seized one desperately and said
'Now name your distance
BLOOD thirsty wolf = said Arnold, 'there
shall be no distancep He then turned and
addressed the company:
sGentlemen,' said he, deem me not either
savage or insane, that sacrifice myself and
the brutal wretch thus before your eyes,
and to certain aud instant destruction
For me, I confess l have no value in life.
Her whom | loved l have sworn to forget; !;
and if | existed thousand years, should
probably never see again. This rufiau is a
coward, and fears to die; though be does
not fear daily to merit bis death. l have
long heard of his baseness, and regard bin
as assassin-the enemy of the human race
and of God-a dangerous beast--whom it
will be mercy and virtue to destroy. My
own life | would we'll be rid of, but would
not fling it away idly when its loss may be
made subservient to the destruction of vice
and the relief of humanity. Here then, l
yield my breath and here, too, this tremb-
ling and shrinking coward shall close his
course of debauchery and murder. My com
panious, farewell; should any one of you
hereafter chance to meet Gertrude de Saale,
tell her nobly flung away a life which her
falsehood bad made me despise. sAnd now,
recreant,' he said in fierce tone, turning
suddenly towards Mentz, 'plaut thy pistol
to my bosom. as l will plant mine to thine.
Let one of the company cry three, and the
third number be signal to fire.