The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-04-26
DE NiG G. "A M Z
A TRAGEDY OF THE FAR WEST.

|
an hour the topic of their conversatio
had been mathematics, when the mos
boyish looking of them said:
eSuppose we change the subjec
boys
"Agreed," said two. The remainin
student silently acquiesced. Mathenaa'
les was his forte, and he loved a difllcul
problem better than his meals.
"But what will we talk about, Wi
liam p. asked he of the youngest.
"About dying"
The three students looked at tbei
comrade with surprise written upon thei
countenances. Willard Owens smiled
''Oh!- I'm not going to couple churcI
matters with, it, SO you need not look 81
blank. What 1 mean is this: Let eacl
one choose his way Of dying"
s.Yery well; I was thinking of tina
last night as l finished the account o
Mr. Harcourt's sudden taking off" saii
Mowbray Webber. so +o !"
"Well, Willard, let us hear your de
sired leave, taking of this world ant
things appertaining thereto" spoke an
other of the students. = e.l5 ,-....
Certainly, boys, if you will follow"
1--WE will", 80 -. =
"Then, chums, / want to die in M
bed-die easy, with friends and relations
around" "a Il g.sse s.s,-
ga mode desired and gained by thou
sands, Willard" said the young nlathe
1natician ;s.but for me, give me short
painless sickness. / do not want to lin
ger, nor ito have any weeping around
me lit would unnerye me-, - b., -
sand for me- said the third, Gerald
George, .'giye me a sudden death, with
out a moments warning, I dc. not wan
to suffer-" .ea,;fI e-,g .s,I-..v :
The three could not help but .shudael
at the words, and the 1onchuldst air will
which they were uttered. But what bet
ter ought they to have expected Of theil
comrade--an imprisoned lover of Vol
taire and Paine. ,a.s,ae,., o.,l =, 49,.
.And, now, Mowbray, you are last
said Gerald show do you, want to die p
"Game. boys, game he said; "yes,
want to die game a,.e., as..ss.s..
At that moment 4 quick, sharp raj
startled them, aud the voice of their pro
fessor reached their ears. s; .s.
'Bed time, boys"
"By jolly! it is late" cried young
George, glancing at his watch. Ten
minutes till eleven"
AS the professor left the door it was
opened-three Of the students stepped
out into the hall and sought their respcc
tive chambers. The remaining one ex-
tinguished his lights and retired.
The last rays Of a western sun fell
upon party Of men in ravine not fal
from the Colorado River. A short dis
lance down the ravine were two wagons
and perhaps dozen horses. Some o.
the men were engaged in culinary opera
tions, others were attending to the ami
mails, and two wlre seated upon a hat
rock some distance from the corral.
.'Do you recollect that conversation
we held in your room at Glendale that
night four years ago p asked one
"What particular conversation do you
refer to, Gerald ?"
'The one about dying"
"Oh, h,yes, l reco!lect, but have scarcely
thought about ii"
"Nor have /; but, Mowbray, isn't it q
strange coincidence that Wizards ant
Georges wishes were fulfiiled2 Yo,
know Willard passed off with his friends
around him, and George, after an hour
illness, and in strange land"
Eyes, it is strange; but let us dismis:
the subject If the.cursed Sioux do no
modest us to night we shall feel easier.''
81 hope they will not, for l want tt
reach the gold country with my life
Then"
The whip-like crack of rifle illed th'
ravine, and the speaker sprang to hi:
feet and fell back dead The atheistiea
student had his wish fulfilled-he dice
without moments warning.
A glance told young Webber chat hi;
friend was dead, and seizing his carbine
he. darted away towards the corral wher,
the 6ght between red and white had al
ready begun. The painted Arabs OF
America outnumbered the gold hunters
and others were swoopins down the ra
vine to assist their friends. Webbel
saw the reisforcing party, aad springing
upon a3rocll, over the heads Of the com
battants, he sent six balls among theil
new enemies. The young man was .
splendid marksman and the souls Of sis
Sioux scared aloft to the happy hunting
grounds. .ag4aT 3nss
Then he sprang from the rock, and {
minute later was. among his companion
dealing death with the butt of the car
bine.i d,A,esa, gg aa - $3.50
sHurrah, iheys,!, Fight like tigers
Neycngiye up, but die game. This i
the way and the, weapon crushed th
skull of a.sSieaN chief. ~ ag
BrayeIy the whites fought, and one b,
one they went down till but one remain
led-yomg Webber. s5 i95p. yyF,
4 > Soiuo &ons Jou P'iieSAi NV ~ : =
cried, SLOWLY retreating, .and throwini
ihissnow useless carbinel at a stalwaf
brave. .snniComeS on! ! have a reyolye
left" q And a ball reaching a warrior
breast, told the savages that the youp
man spoke truly.aasf has eiai " 10
ls His retreat: was cut off ibis back .toucl
ed rock that rose three hundred fee
above him. His. hands were red wit
his own blood and the blood of his foes
and down his1facs Tan the same red cpl
rent.s1 sexoT bra sesae1Ik. 81 so
|a8 The Indians did not want to kill hir
there; they admired ihis. bravery, an
their chief, Black Wolf, had sworn tha
he should die by fire. This oath. he ha
communicated to his band 49,.
AT the first report from Mowbray'
Colt the red demons paused. -
!. ..Yes, como on, and let ME have fly
more cracks at YOU" cried Weber
You will ultimately conquer me, but
am going to die game. Come on,sQaaw
| OF. the cowardly Sioux nation
This exasperated the Indians, and dt
| termining to put an end to the blood
ana unequal conflict, they rushed To-
D : =