, 1869-09-03
STRANGE DUEL.

DiAuB uciil blIudtoQ IN tue basement
of house on La Sale street, Chi.
cagO.
One was 4 man of gigantic stature
aud strength, dressed in an old mili>
tary over coat, buttOned up to the
chin and belted at the waist. A
large slouched hat shaded q face
which was covered with an immense
beard and mustache /; and q pair of
cavalry boots, reaching above the
knees, completes tue description OF
the individual who was returning from
California, where he had acquired a
small fortune.
The other man was small, with
1.-THE, graceful movements, and had
the dress and air Of a gentleman 10
the general observer. He was only
seen in his true character when en-
gagged 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 one
had lost all bis cash 10 hand, and by
this agreement the sharper expected
the prize. But as the game advauc-
ed, he perceived that his opponent
was more versed in such matters than
he had supposed. The gambler was
obliged to sit and see game after
game won by the miner, until he bad
come to the correct conclusion that
the Californian had detected the
marks on the cards, and understood
them.
"Never mind, John Adams" NUT
tered the sharper under his breath !;
off the luck doesn't change very soon,
you will ind 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 pre-
vented from bursting forth by his pre-.
vious agreement. He observed each
time, as be handed over a roll of
bills, that Adams counted them, and
invariably passed back what counter
felt money had chanOed-by accident
of course-to get mixed with the
genuine.
At length the series ofgames we're
ended-the sharper was STRIPPED of
every dollar. Then the furious pas"
sion which had been gradually acl
cumulating all this time, broke loose.
With a fierce oath, Sharkey bound.
ed over the table and lunged a
cleaning bowie at the breast of his
adversary; but before he reached bis
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.
al know you, james Sharkey,"
said Adams, presenting revolver at
the head of his fallen asssilsnt. al
know you as a cheat, liar, scoundrel
in fact, the greatest william 10 the
State. But as you never did me any
real harm, 1 won't blow your dirty
brains out this time," and he turned
to go.
The moment the pistol was re,
moved from his head, Sharkey sprang
to bis feet, but was restrained from
further violence by the crowd, which
forcibly held him back.
"Curse you !" be gritted between
his teeth, as be struggled to free him,
self; "you shall not escape me SO
easily, John Adams, for 1 swear if l
ever meet you again, I'll shoot you
like dog p
A smile of contempt curled the
lips of the tall Californian, as he de-
liberately turned on his heel and left
the house.
A period Of i've years has elapsed
since we introduced our characters
in the gambling hell at Chicago.
The scene now presented to our
readers ID a long table spread for sup
per, on board a Lake Ontario steamer.
Even as we gaze at the cheerful
spectacle within the brilliantly illum-
mated cabin, the booming of a gong
sounds in expectant ears, and instant
ly a crowd of hungry passengers
pours in and gathers around the "a
Bile, while the air is filed with a din
Hf voices.
One man we have already seen.
As be sits there, eating rapidly, and
ever and anon casting glances around
him, we cannot fail to recognize the
gentlemanly person of james Shark
ey. Yes, it is he; and there is an-
bther sitting exactly opposite to him
whom We know; SO does james
Sharkey, as his eyes fell 10 that dis
rection, for we'll does he remember
the massive frame of the rough~be1rd
ed Californian, on whom he had five
years before sworn deadly vengeance.
His face grows pale with excite
ment, as be slowly draws a pistol
from his bosom and deliberately levels
it across the table. Adams, uncon-
scious of the fearful danger that
menaces him, is bestowing his entire
attention on the food before him. The
other passengers, horror stricken a:
the scene presented before them, are
SO paralyEed that they can do nothing
to prevent it, and Sharkey, having
drawn his bead to an exact point,
pulls the trigger At the very mo,
ment of the shot, man seared be.
side him, having somewhat recovered
his scattered faculties, has the pres.
/ :