The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-10
Strange Duel.

Two men sat at table in gambling
hell. situated in the basement of house on
La Sale street, Chicago.
One was man of gigantic statute and
strength, dressed in an old military over
coat buttoned up to the chin and belted at
the waist A large slouched hat shaded a
face that was covered with an immense
beard and mustache, and pair of cavalry
boots, reaching above the knees completes
the description of the individual, who was
returning from California, where he had ac-
quired small fortune.
The other was small, with 1.-THE, graceful
movements, and had the dress and air of a
gentleman to the general observer He was
only seen in his true character when engaged
in his true calling, which was gambling. A
game of california Jack" now absorbed
their attention.
Before beginning the interesting game,
they made an agreement that neither should
stop playing till one had lost all his cash in
hand, and by this agreement the sharper ex-
pected the prize. But as the game advanced
he perceived that his opponent was more
versed in such matters than he supposed.
The gambler was obliged to sit and see
game after game won by the miner, until he
had come to the correct conclusion that the
Californian had detected the marks on the
cards and understood them.
"NeVer mind, John Adams" muttered
the sharper under his breath. "If luck
doesn't change very soon, you will find that
James Sharkey is not the man to tamely
give up his money whether he wins or
loses"
Another circumstance added to the rage
of Sharkey, which was only prevented from
bursting forth by his previous engagement.
He observed each time as he handed over a
roll of bills, that Adams counted them, and
invariably handed back whatever counter
felt had chanced-by accident of course : to
get mixed up with the genuine.
At length the series of games were ended
the sharper was stripped of every dollar.
Then the furious passion which had gradu-
ally been accumulating all this time, broke
loose. With fierce oath, Sharkey bounded
over the table and lunged cleaning bowie
at the breast of his adversary; but before he
reached his destination, powerful motion
of the arm of Adams, sent it whirling across
the room, and another blow from the
same hand laid the gambler PROSTATE on the
floor
Il know you, James Sharkey," said Adams
presenting revolver at the head of his
fallen assailant. II know you as cheat,
liar, scoundrel-in fact the greatest villain
in the State. But as you never did me any
real harm, l won't blow your dirty brains
out this time" and he turned to 90.
The moment the pistol was removed from
his head, Sharkey sprang to his feet but was
restrained from further violence by the
crowd which forciby held him back.
"Curse you !" he gritted between his teeth
as he struggled to free himself: "You shall
not escape me so easily, John Adams, for 1
swear if 1 ever meet you again, I'll shoot
youhke dog"
A smile of contempt curled the lips ofthe
tall Californian, as he deliberately turned on
his heel and left the house.
A, period of five years has elapsed since
we introauccd sours eharaoter- in the san,-
bling hell at Chicago.
The scene now presented to our readers is
long table spread for supper, on board
Lake Ontario steamer. Even as we gaze at
the cheerful spectacle within the brilliantly
illuminated cabin, the booming of gong
sounds in expectant ears, and instantly a
crowd of hungry passengers pour in and
gather around the table, while the air is
filled with din of voices.
One man we have already seen. As he
sits there eating rapidly, and ever and anon
casting glances around him, we cannot fail
to recognize the gentlemanly person of James
Sharkey. Yes, it is he; and there is an
other sitting exactly opposite to him whom
we know, so does James Sharkey, as his
eyes fall in that direction, for well does he
remember the massive frame of the rough
bearded Californian. on whom he had five
| years before sworn deadly vengeance
His face grows pale with excitement, as
he slowly draws pistol from his bosom and
deliberately levels it across the table,
Adams, unconscious of the fearful danger
that menaces him is bestowing his entire at
tention on the food before him. The Other
passengers, horror-stricken at the scene
presented before them, are so paralyzed that
they can do nothing to prevent it, and Shar
key, having drawn his bead to an exact
point, pulls the trucker. At the very mo-
ment of the shot, man seated beside, hay
ing somewhat recovered his scattered facul
ties, had the presence to hit the elbow o.