The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-08-23
"EDlTORlAl NERVE.n
A Boys Defense.

The scene was in Sacramento street,
in front of well-known hotel. 1t
was twenty-five years ago, and San
Francisco was in her infancy.
Quite a crowd had gathered on the
street, and the centre of attraction
was big fellow, who stood with
newspaper in his hand, raving and
cursing.
"What's the matter, WOLFF" asked
newcomer, who was evidently ia
miliar with the irate man.
"Matter?" returned Wolf, for that
was his name, "matter enough, an
rough enough it'll be for some folks.
Them young whelps that prints this
paper has gone an published some
thin bout me. o, I'll fix 'em! They
had better never been born! They'd
better 60 an kill themselves after ten
minutes; it'll be an easier death for
EN-"
Wolf was a noted desperado, who,
it was said, had killed twenty men,
and but few knew him who did not
fear him. He was at that time chief
OF gang of loaters and gamblers that
were nearly always to be found loung
ing in the vicinity alluded to, and dis
turbing the peace of the whole neigh
borhood daily with riotous conduct.
If there was any law in those days it
was seldom executed against such
characters, and in the full conscious
ness that they were feared they did
pretty much as they pleased.
The newspaper which had given
deadly otfense to Wolf was a little
weekly journal, and its Office was in
the second story of building on the
same street with the hotel l have
mentioned, and few rods distant.
1t was published by two young men
or l might say, boys, for they were
only eighteen and twenty years old,
respectiyely-named Darrell and
HAYNES. The paper and its youthful
proprietors were already we'll known
ir the city of San Francisco.
The article which had excited the
wrath of the ruffian, Wolf, was bold
denunciation of himself and his crowd
for their lawless conduct, and it par
ticularly mentioned him by name,
characterizing him as a clustering
bully" 1t was the work of young
Darrell, fearless boy hailing from
Ohio. Before leaving his home he
had acquired fair education, so that
lie could at least edit newspaper in
those early days; and he possessed,
besides, that courage and daring
which may be natural in the first
place, and which are more thoroughly
developed by exposures TO dangers
and hardships. Young Haynes was
quite a different kind of person, in
point of courage, being of an unusual
ly timorous nature.
To return to the scene on Sacra-
mento street. Working himself up
into his very worst mood-and his
best was bad enough, heaven knows
Wolf tore the paper to atoms and
started to the publication Office. He
was followed by a curious rabble
most of whom were elated with the
prospect of murder, though there
were some present who would have
demonstrated with the evil-hearted
man, had they dared.
"Jest you watch" said Wolf, as he
reached the door, IF ye want to see
Their bloody carcasses tumble out o
the winderi 1t won't be long. !
don't spend much time Oh such fel
lers."
1t was the intention Of the cruel
hearted man actually TO cut the
throats of the two boyish Journalistic
and throw their bodies oat at the
window, for the qualification of the
crowd, and the further exaltation oi
his already fearful name. So. the
!. mob on the street awaited the issue
, with feverish expectation, as Wolf
fourishing his knife and revolver, en-
tered the rude frame building and
rushed up stairs.
All unconscious of their danger
: the two young editors were busily
: pursuing their usual work in theil
/ primitive Office. If they heard tn,
). the noise without they paid NJ
attention to it, supposing it wa
merely row, such as they were ac
|; customed to hearing every day. Oar
rell was setting at rude table, writ
ing, and Haynes was at the counte
= arranging some papers for the mail.
They heard the clatter of heav,
boots on the stairs, but supposed i
was some rough miner coming up t.
q, subscribe for the paper, or, perhaps
to see lawyer who occupied a coupl
of rooms on the same floor; for tn
: building was only two story one
and the second floor was occupied ex
clusively by them and an attorne,
their rooms being separated from
his by a narrow hallway that wa
reached by the fight of stairs allude
to.
"Ah-ha! I've got ye, my youn
g imps!" exclaimed the desperate
bursting in.
l. Haynes recognized him and turne
pale. Being at the counter, whic
faced the door, and extended acros
- the room, he was naturally the frs
mark for VOLTS vengeance.
"Ye young devils!' he hisset
- scowling like madman, "Ye'll neve
write or print nothin' more bout me
Here he hourished his knife and revo
yer above his head. 1've got sur
!, thing on both of ye!" Saying this b
: looked about him, with a careft
scrutiny, to see that there was n
e. means of escape for the quiet youth {
IS 5 the table, who, OF course, would NJ
i dare to jump over the counter an
K try to pass him, but would cove