The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-02-12
IKE
PAINTERS REVENGE!

was determ ined, and the defeat of Henry |
Clay was known, l started for four years
tour through tho cities and countries OF the
Old World. Feelings | entertained tor
Clay amounted to more than love, respect
and admiration; his defeat did not increase
their ardor but II did cause me to think my
countrymeu guilty of cuiPsbie ingratituoe,
and inca oabe of selecting the proper man
TO fill the high offices In their gift. My |
disappointment was 80 great that it caused
me TO decide upon self Punishment for the |
wears ! have named. / do not propose in |
this sketch to give further account of my
travels than may be necessary in nsrrasing
as much as know concerning the circum
stances aud incidents which go to make up
the sum of my story.
had paid my bill at the Astor House.
and attended to all necessary preparations
for voyage across the Atlantic, and was
about stepping into a carriage In waiting for
me, when | was tapped on the shoulder By
Senator Benton, OF Missouri, who introduc
ed me TO young gentleman, whom | will
call Crawton, who, he said WAS going to
Rome to study the old masters and acquire
AL extensive Knowledge and practice in his
pro tessiou. Mr.. Benton remarked to me
that the youthful artist was lone among ten
,nousand;" that he was taianted, brave and
lust: little reserved, but brmful of good
ness aud gratitude.
''Be q good friend to him." said Ben
ton, land you will never have cause to re
greet it,
certainly never looked upon a more
noble counteuance or more symmetrical
and perfect form. 4 single glance al the
youth would impress the Observing mind
of the presence Of superior person, and
IL, aj,&yr
ship OF mankind with the gods.
In a few hours we were on board steam.
er voyGgIng as fast as steam and favorable
winds could drive US for Southampton
Day oy day became more interested in and
attached to the young artist. Arrived III
London, we found the weather extremely
fine, and we concluded to remain there and
'.do" the city as it afforded US comfort and
enjoyment.
| mad visited London several times IN my
life, and found the more | learned of the
great city, and the more | became scquaint.
ed with kng.i men and English women,
the more rapidly the prejudice gave way 10
admiration and respect
We spent seven weeks in the great city
most agreesbly; and We might have stayed
longer but for d circumstance which caused
US TO proceed at once tor Paris, and which,
also, constitutes the beginning of chain OF
circumstances which blasted the life Of d
noble youth. and furnished the material Tor
for this story.
Cur evenings while III London were gen
orally spent at the opera. Crawton, ikt
most artists, was passiouately fond OF music
and would sit for hours like one enchanted
when listening to the master productions o
Doulzetti, Rossini, Mozart and other ceie
= H., tha, ,,s,br,
our departure from London, we were listen
ing intently toAr lima M, rGmmentati in tn
bohemian Girl" Crawton was charmed
and seemed unconscious of all around hin
save the sweet cadence OF music and song
until q man approached leaned over him
and whispered word in his ear whic
brought him suddenly to his feet. The
were friends, and had been from early youth
Crawton had often spoken of the youn
man, and also another, equally dear to hln
who, he was that night quickly informed
at Paris, dying of n wound received /
duel. Dalton-thst was the name c
the young intruder upon our muslsai enter
tainment-had hurried to London by reques
of the dying man to procure lmportau
papers which required the signature Of tn
unfortunate youth, IN order to place hi
widowed mother in possession of propert
without which she would have been lef
destitute. By good fortune, Dalton haC
stopped at the same hotel where we were
staying, and learned of Craw'ons being il
London, and that we could be founG at tn
opera. ] consented to leave the opera wit
them immed lately. Arriving at our hote
i, was at once decided that the iris shout
start the following morning for Paris.
Before entering the room in which tn
lyInO q
door informed us that we must proceed ,
once to transact any business of i'm portan
10 his friend We acted strictly By Il
advice given us by the surgeon, and
twenty minutes thereafter the papers WEI
signed and acknowledged, and all busine
affairs ad iusted, and placed in the trust al
management of Dalton.
'Crawton.' said the dying youth, 4 hay
been murdered Dalton has q mission
perform for me my good mother and h
future veal in this life | have trusted to Il
care he will do for her all her son wou
have done mad he not been murdered. De-
dear Crawton,' continued the dying you
IF you ever fight duel in France, never III
sword-the pistol, Crawton American
know better how to use the pistol
The scene which followed was sad, vel
sad one, indeed. The hands of the dyin
youth. were clasped By those of his friend
who leaned over him 10 turn, and kissed II
fevered lips through which brave al
noble spirit was escaping.
Good BY, mother God bless You goo
by, friends. God bless you the ferryman
here, and I must go; good by, mutter
the youth and dropped into death as ia
the fresh and blooming flower cut from
stem.
A months search for the duelist broug
no tidings Of Mons. D Shatturn furtf
than that he had left Paris the day folio
ing tho duel
The duel and it's fata! consequent
wrought great change in Crawton.
had learned to love him dearly. My aft
ton amounted TO a ceaseless lniatuatio
my fortune was then and is now not "
large. Ny parents, and only sister,
passed from earth, and left me- as far
relatives were concerned, alone in the wor
Aside from Henry Clay and young Crawl
had no love for any mortal. Respect a
friendship ! of course had for many
qualntauces of both sexes. Large as
fortune was felt that could part with
all for Crawton's sake.
Crawton s situation, in some respe
was like my own; he had no family
living except very distant relatives, '
whom he was entirety unacqualnteC.
was not rich, but possessed means suffic
to insure him competence through life.
deep feelings / entertained for him '
sincerely returned. l possessed the a
tons of his noble heart, and that knowle
afforded me as much satisfaction and
piness as any bachelor has RICH. to
pect on earth.
Crawton accepted my proposition
accom- me- IN nv traVGl6-ln
we agreed to mingle our fortunes and
main together until separated by deere
death, He had accomplished great