The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1869-06-25

fight It out ike a man
"Pistols. theu-ten paees-w ord
was the gruif answer.
/ "Are you satisfied vas asked 0
iWhiteman.
] "Yes-perfectly. Let him take hi
revolver have mine. We viii com.
meree firing at the word, and eontin
lue to advance and do so until one Of
both fall"
A few steps from the house brought
them to spot where the green gras.
and bright flowers had more than
once been stained in such encounters
The men we're placed, the weapon:
prepared, and the fatal word was
about to be given when Whiteman
called the Ranger (who was acting as
his seeond) and taking his hand
within his own, whispered:
':You appear to be a true-hearted
ma and wish to ask favor OF
you"
aSpeak on. Anything I can do
shall be done. just say the word,
and l will take your place"
"No, not that. But if l should
chance to fall, promise that you viii
see me buried as l am Do not let
nv dress be disturbed in the least.
Roll me up in a blanket and let no
one pry around me after | am dead.
Will you promise NE that2'
at is strange thing to ask, but
I'll do it.
"Then I am ready"
ayes, pll do it." repeated the Ran
ger as he slowly retreated; sand if
YOU do fall I'll send bullet through
the skull of him that kills you, and
may the good Lord forgive me if it is
murder"
"Now, Luke Benton continued
Whitemdn, 81 am ready. Yet one
word" and he stepped to his side
and handed him a miniature. "If |
die, look at this"
"Tll do it now" and with trem-
bling fingers he undid the clasp
then let it drop from his hand as if
it had been a serpent, exclaiming,
"No, I'll not fight you. Take him
away, some one-take him away, for
Gods sake"
"Not fight Then you will die like
a dog =" and Whiteman raised his
weapon and motioned for the word to
be given.
1t was some time, however, before
his request was complied with. The
sinewy frame of the gambler like
dry leaf in the autumn wind; all the
color had left his face; his lips were
like ashes; his pistol was pointing
downwards, and shook in his hand.
At length he succeeded, by mighty
effort, in calming himself. He bra
eed his nerves, stared wildly around,
and with all the calmness of despair
stood upon his guard.
"Are you ready-bOth ready?'
was asked
"Yes, came simultaneously from
two pairs of lips.
"0ne-two-three--frel'
The report of the pistols cut the
last word in twain. The seconds
rushed forward and lifted the men
up again, for both had fallen. One
however, would never breathe more.
Luke Benton had fought his last duel
had gone to his final account with
his heart bullet-eleft.
Whiteman, too, was dangerously
wounded. With his breath bubbling
forth through blood, he called the
Ranger to him and asked him for the
1t was given him-the
fair face Of a young man. He cover
ed it with bloody fingers-whisper-
ed, "Bury it with mo, and he, too,
had ceased to live.
With fearful eyes that form was
p=sRAzS1 It.o-,ss~~S,- S,-tk@-R -RanGer
insisting that his promise to the dead
should be fulfilled to the letter. Butt
all saw sufficient to satisfy them that
he who called himself Whiteman was
a young woman. And years later,
they found a clue to the mystery. |
1t was wife, who had then avenged |
the murder of her husband-murder
ID for saving her from dishonor
From a bloody grave in the chappar-
Il, she had gone to join him she had
owed so well in the land that lies be-
yond the dark river.
Was her last act one of sin? 1t is
lot for us to judge of such thing.
We know nothing of the maddened
leart and insane brain--know moth
ng of the long days and longer
nights of sufering-nothing Of how
We would act under such circumstan-
.es. Better leave judgment to Him
Who can read both the mind and the
leart, and whose will directed the
.venging bullet. None other is
Without sin, and who will dare to cast
he first stone?