Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-09-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
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 stature and
strength. dressed in an old military overcoat,
buttoned up to the chin and belted at the
waist. 4 large slouched hat shaded face
which was covered with an immense beard
and mustache. and pair of cavalry boots,
reaching above the knees. completes the de-
scription of the individual who was returning
from California, where he had acquired Z
small fortune.
The other man VS. small, with lithe grace
ful movements, and had the dress and air Of
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 this interesting game,
they made an agreement that neither should
stop playing till cue had lost all his cash in
hand, and by this agreement the sharper ex>
pected the prize. But as the game ad>
vancod, he perceived that his opponent was
more verscd in such matters than he had
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 the luck doesn't
change very soon, you will find that james
Sharkcy is not the man to tamely give up his
money, whether he wins or loses"
Another circumstance added to the rage of
Shnrkey, which was only prevented from
bursting forth by his previous agreement
10 olS ha ia1
roll of bills that Adams counted them, and
invariably passed back whatever counterfeit
money had chanced-by accident of course
to get mixed with the genuine.
At length the series of games were ended
the sharper was stripped of every dollar.
Then the furious passion which had been
gradually accumulatiug 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 tile gambler PROSTATE on the floor.
II know you James Sharkey," said Ad-
ans, presenting revolver at the head of his
fallen assailant Il know you as cheat
liar. scoundrel-in fact the greatest villain in
the State. But as you never did me any real
harm. won't blow your dirty brains out this
tune" and he turued to 20.
The moment the pistol was removed from
his head. Sharkey sprang to his feet, but was
restrained from further violence by the crowd
which forcibiy 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 L
swear il ever meet you again, I'll shoot you
like dogl'
a smile of contempt curled the lips of the
tall Californian as he deliberately turned on
his heel and left the house.
X X
period of FIVE years has elapsed since we
introduced our characters in the gambling
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 a gong
sounds in expectant ears, and instantly a
crowd of hungry passengers pour in and gather
round the table, while the air is filed with
din of voices.
One man we have already seen As he
sits there eating rapidly, and ever and anon
casting gIances around him, VIC cannot fail to
recognize the gentlenanly person of James
Sharkey. Yes, it is he; and there is another
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 Califor>
Man, 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 de-
liberately levels it across the table.
Adams, unconscious of the fearful danger
that menaces him, is bestowiug his entire at
tention on the food before him. The other
passengers, horror-stricken at the scene pre-
seuted 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 trigger. At the very moment of
the shot, man seated beside him, having
somewhat recovered his scattered faculties,
has the presence of mind to hit the elbow of
the would -be-murderer, causing the bullet to
be barmlessly buried in the opposite wall.
Adams raises his bead quickly, and glapces
rapidly round the table +; not the slightest ev-
idence of discolnposure visible on his counte-
nance as he secs his enemy. Although it Is
five years since he last saw him, he recog-
nizes him at once. a peculiar light glints
from his eyes as he draws long revolver,
and like lightning returns the shot