The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-04-15

Wh,teman spat full III the lace OF inc
blood stained gambler.
In Gil instant all was confusion. Bou.
ton sprang forward with his knife rails
ed and would down his iusultcr with a
blow. But others did the same. They
realized that blood must be shed, but
they insisted on "fair play. Even in
the horrible code Of Texas dueling
they demanded that the rules Of honor
On should be strictly adhered to.
III y II must fight" said an old Ran,
ger, "and see no way to avoid it now
it shall be all open and above board
It's your choice, Bouton. Pick your
weapon and stand up and fight it on
like men
"PistOls thcn--ton paccs--word y
was the gruG answer.
"A~e you satisfed?' was asked oi
Whitcman.
"Yes-perfectly. Let him take his
reyolvcr-I have mine We will com.
mcncc firing at the word and continue
to advance end 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 than once
been stained in such encounters. The
men were pIaccd--thc weapons prepar,
ed and the fatal word was about to
be given when Whiteman called the
Ranger (who was acting IS his second)
and taking lis hand within his OWL,
whispered:
"You appear to be a kind and true
hearted man, and / wish to ask favor
Of YOU"
speak on. Anything can do shall
be done, Just say the word and I'll
take your place.
mo, not that. But III should chance
to fall, promise that you will see me
buried As nm. Do not let my dress
he disturbed in the least. Roll me up
in y blanket and let 20 one pry around
me after am dead VIII youprom-
Use me that
1T is a strange thing but I'll do it,
Then I'm ready"
Yes I'll do it rcpeatcd the Ranger,
as he slowly retrcatcd, muttering to
himself, "and ifyou do fall I'll send Il
bullet through the skull Of him that
killed you, aud may the good Lord
forgive me lit is murder"
Now, Luke Bouton," continued Nr.
Whitcmnn, Il am ready. Yet one word
and he stepped to hi. side, and handed
him . miniature. 'if you die, look at
this"
IN do il now" and with trembling
fingers he uudid the ciasp-thcn let it
drop from his hands "a if it had been
a serpent, c8c!aimig, 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" aud Whiteman raised his weap-
OF and motionrd for the word to be Civ,
On.
II was sometime however, before
his request was complied with. The
sincwy frame of the gambler tremblcd
ike dry leaf in the autumn wind oil
the color had left his face; his lips
were like ashes his pistol was pointed
muzzlc dowuvards, and shook in his
hands. Atlenglh he succeeded by a
mighty effort, in calming himself. He
braced his nerves-glared wildly around
and with all the cslmness Of despair,
stood upon his guard.
Are you readyl" Both rcady2 was
asked.
Yes" came simultaneously from
two pair oflips.
"OEc-two-three--fire y
Tue 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 Bou-
ton had fought his last duel--had gone
TO his final account with his heart bul
let cleft. Whiteman too, was danger
onsly wounded. With his breath bub-
bling forth through blood, he called the
Ranger to him and asked him for the
miniature. 1t was given him-the fair
face of young man. He covered ii
with bloody Gagers-whispered, "Bn'
ry il with me-" aud be too had ceased
10 live
With fearful eyes that form was pre-
pared Tor the grave, the Ranger insiste,.