Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-04-21

and would have cut doWn MS lnSulter WIN
a blow. But others did the same They
realized that blood must be shed, but they
insisted upon "fair play" Even in the
horrible code of Texas dueling they de-
manded that the rules of honor ~ should
be strictly adhered to-,
"Ifyori must fight" said an old ranger,
ssand | see no way to avoid it now, it shall
be all open and above board Its your
choice, Benton. Pick your weapon and
stand up and fight it out like men.
''Pistols then--ten paces--wordF was
the gruff answer.
''Are you satisfied2 was asked OF White
man.
"Yes-perfectly Let him take his re-
yolver-I have mine We will commence
firing at the word, and continue to advance
to 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 thar. once been stained
in such encounters. The men were placed,
the weapons prepared, and the fatal word
was about TO be given when Whiteman
called the Ranger (who was acting as his
second) and, taking his hand within his
own, whispered:
'You appear to be true-hearted man,
and wish to ask favor of you"
'Speak on. Anything 1 can do shall be
one. Just say the word and I'll take
ourplace."
sNo, not that. But If 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 am dead
Will you promise me that p
ut is a'strange thing to ask, but I'll do
it.
Then am ready"
ayes, I'll do it," repeated the Ranger as
he slowly retreated, muttering to himself,
''and if YOU do fail I'll send bullet through
the skull of him that kills you, and may
the good Lord forgive me if it is murder" "
"Now, Luke Benton, continued White
man, 81 am ready. Yet one word, and he
stepped to his side and handed him min
iature. 'If die, look at this.
"Ill do it now;" and with trembling
fingers he undid the claSp-then let it drop
from his hands as if it had been q serpent,
exclaiming, ''No, I'll not fight you. Take
him away, some one-take him away, for
Gods sake"
"Not fight then you will die like a
dog;" and Whiteman raised his weapon
and motioned for the word to be given.
1t was some time, however, before his
request was complied with. The sinewy
frame of the gambler trembled like a dry
leaf in the autumn wind; all the color had
left his face; his lips we're like ashes his
pistol was pointed downwards and shook
in his hand. At length he succeeded, by q
mighty effort, in calming himself. He
braced his nerves-glared wildly around,
and with all the calmness of despair, stood
upon his guard,
"Are you ready-both readyH" was
asked.
eyes," came simultaneously from two
pair of lips.
ne-two-three-fre !"
The report OF the pistols cut the last word
in twain, The seconds rushed forward
and lifted the men up again, for both bad
fallen. One however, would never breathe
more. Luke Benton had fought his last
duel-had gone to his final account with
his heart bullet cleft. Whitman, too, was
dangerously wounded. 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,
and he, too, had ceased to live
With fearful eyes that form was prepared
for the grave, the ranger insisting that his
promise to the dead should be fulfilled to
the letter. But all saw sufficient to satisfy
them that he who called himself Whiteman
was young woman. And years later they
found clue to the mystery. 1t was n wife
who had then revenged the murder of her
husband-murdered for saving her from
dishonor! From a bloody grave in the
chapparel, she had gone to join him she
had loved so we'll in the land that lies be-
yond the dark river.
Was her last act one of sin 1t 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. -
Better leave judgment to Him who canread
both the mind and the heart, and whose
will directed the avenging bullet None
other is without sin, and who will dare to
cast the first stone?