The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-04-28

"Put down that knife, or the consc-
ouence be upon your own head. Put
it down. l say" and the hand Of the
speaker slowly aud deliberately raised
revolver.
1t was q very anxious moment for
tho lookcrs-on. One Of the combat
ants WAS brawny rufTian upon whose
face was stamped all the evil passions
OF tho human race. Black haired.
black bearded, black eyed, and strong
enough WAS no TO have fCllrd an OK
with single blow Of his fist. The
other WAS a pale, slender, intellectual
looking Young man, boy almost. with
light curls and complexion aud blue
eyes.
The scene was in the little town Of
Washington, on tho Brazos river III
Texas, aud the time midnight.
DO vou know who yer talking 10.
bow" was the coarse aud uneducated
answer OF Luke Benton. than whom
no gambler in tho vicinity was more
dr,cs,cd and feared.
y un,n 10 whom eand not without
r"aSon) was imputed every crime
ryen that OF murder; who was an un.
failing shot with the pistol and rife
and unmatched in skill with that strict
ly border wcapon-thc bowie knife.
\ short residence in that locality had
given him reputation as a duclist, for
tho long grass Of the reInpas covered
the forms OF two who had fallen by his
hand. Where he came from no one
knew, and he was particularly reticcnt
about his former life. Still it WAS
whispered behind his back, for no ono
was ioolhardy enough to any it to his
face-that he was one OF the very fe"
who escaped from tho terrible justice
OF Satchcz under tho hill,' when tho
outraged citizens awoke in their wrath
and took speedy vengssncc in their
own hands. 30 that ns it might, he
had already earned namc sufficiently
bad to need no additions oven whore
the great majority Of crimes wcrc
looked upor liyhtly-inuking Texas IN
its infancy the paradise Of scoundreis.
or the other, his boy Antagonist, even
less was known. It was but two days
since his arrival, aud he had como on
horseback and alone. or his business
he had nothing to say, but his suavc
manner, and quiet, gentlomanly de-
! pertinent had already made him friends
among the better portion Of the sparse
population.
Very much to their surprise, there
fore, was 1t that they had seen him en-
ter into contest ut cards With the
professional gamester Benton, conn.
dent that he would either be cheated
or bullied out Of his money, in case he
was successful, which was almost be.
vond tho range Of possibility.
But for two hours the game had
beon progressing, the gambler getting
more angry at every deal, and the
youth Keeping perfectly cool and
breathing taunting words as If his OBJ
Icct was still further to provoke him.
Irit wss his purpose to do 90, he was
mora than succesafnl. for Benton had
iuddenly sprung to his feet and drawn
his heavy knife, with oaths upon his
lips and murder flashing from his
eyes.
Put down that knife" again re-
peatcd the young man. Mark White,
inan, as no had given all TO nnderst:no
was his name. "Put Il down. No
one but q coward and cheat would
attempt to use such fatal arguments IN
a simple game Of chance
"Er cheat - coward !" thundered
Benton With all his wrath sarouied.
"By heaven, III make ycr cat yer
words" ei .-r-.s e .
"For fear YOU do not fully UNDER
stand, will repeat thcm.' ''c: ~ -
Yer dare not!" was hissed from
the more than tightly compressed lips.
Coward! cheat! l dare ssyeony'
thing to ono like YOU" ,Ia .e;.;..:F
Coward or gin!" and his knife
flashed still more wildly round.
In vain the others interfered. They.
cared little for tho professions! game
'tor, but they did for Young White
man, and could not but be surprised at
the almost sublimity Of his coolness
and bravery. even though he was court
ing his own death. -. ... ......., !.
Something in the manner cfthe young
man. too. appeared to deeply impress
ms antagonist, who had never before
restrained hi. hand from swift yen-
geanee. The delicate frame trcmbled
.;' nv. she s%cet. almost girllsh expires.
zion upon those mobile lips remained