Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-04-16

"To prove that you are coward al
heart. ;"
"No man ever lived that could call me
such err thing"
" Simply because you murdered them,
Luke Bentoa."
Murdered? But, no, I'll not fight Ell
boy"
because you dare not. But you
shall have no excuse" and Mark White.
man spat foil in the face of the blood.
stained gambler.
In an instant all was confusion. Ben
ton sprang forward with his knife uprais-
ed, and would have cut down his insult
er with a blow. But others did the
same. They realized that blood must be
shed, but they insisted upon fan play"
Even in the horrible code of Texas
dueliug they demanded that the rules
of honor { p should be strictly adhered to
"If you must fight" said an old
ranger, land | see no way to avoid it now,
it shall be all open and above board.
It's your choice, Benton. Pick your
weapon and stand up and fight it out
like men.
"Pistols then-ten paces-word %
was the gruff answer.
"Are yor satisfied" was asked of
Whteman.
"Yes-perfectly. Let him take his
revolrer-I have mine. We will COM
mence firing at the word, and continue
to advance and do so until one or both
falls"
A few steps from the house brought
them to spot where the green grass
and bright flowers had more than once
been stained in such encounters. The
men were placed, the weapons prepared,
and the fatal word was about to be CIV
en- when Whiteman called the Ranger
(who was acting as his seeond) and, tax :
ing his hand within his own whispered !:
You appear to be a true hearted
man, and | wish to ask favor of YOU"
"Speak on. Just say the word and
III take your place."
"No, not that. But if 1 should
chance TO fall promise that you will see
me buried as | am. Do not let my dress
be disturbed in the least. Roll me up in
a blanket and let no one pry around me
after l am dead. VIII you promise me
that r.
at is strange thing to ask, but I'll
do it."
Then | am ready"
Yes, Ill do it" repeated the Ranger,
rs he slowly retreated, muttering to him.
self, " and if you do fall I'll send bullet
through the sknll of him that kills yen,
and may the good Lord forgive me if it
is murder"
snow, Luke Benton" continued
Whiteman, 81 am ready. Yet one word"
and he stepped to his side and handed
him miniature. If l die, look at
this"
"I'il do it now;" and with trembling
fingers he undid the clasR-then let 1t
drop from bis hands as if il lad been a
serpent, exclaiming, No, III no; fight
you. Take him away, some one-take
him away, for Gods sake"
Net fight! then you will die like a
dog" anu Whiteman raised his wea.
pom and motioned for the word TO be
given.
1t WIS some time, however, before his
request was complied with. The sinewy
frame of the gambler trembled like a
dry leaf III the autumn wind; all the
color had left his face; his lips were like
ashes; his pistol was pointed downwards
and shook in bis hand. At length he
succeeded, by mighty effort, in calm
ing himself. He braced his nerves
glared wildly around, and with all the
calmness of despair, stood upon his
guard.
"Are you ready-both ready?" was
ask d.
"Yes," came simultaneously from two
pair of lips.
Observation-Disclosures"
The report of the pistols cut the last
word in twain. The seconds rushed for
ward 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 fl
nal account with his heart bullet cleft
Whiteman, too, was dangerously wound.
ed. With his breath bubbling forth
through blood he called the Ranger to
him and asked him for the miniature.
1t was given him-the fair face of a
young man. He covered it with bloody
fingers-whispered, BURY it with me, I"
end he too, had ceased to live.
With fearful eyes that form was pre-.
pared for the grave, the ranger insisting
that his promise to the dead should be
fulfilled to the letter. But all saw suffi-
cient to satisfy them that be who called
himself Whiteman wss young woman.
And years later they found clue to the
mystery. 1t was a wife who had then
reyenged the murder of her husband
murdered for saving her from dishonor
From bloody grave in the chapparel,
she had gone to join him she had loved
so well in the land that lies beyond the
dark river
Was her last act one of sin? II is not
for. us to Judge Of such thing. We
know nothing of the maddened heart
and insane brain-know nothing of the
long days and longer nights of suffering
nothing of how We would act under
such circumstances leave iudg.
ment to Him who can read both the