Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-28

A BOY's DEFENCE.

BOYS DEFENCE.
The scene was in Sacramento street, in
front of well known hotel. It was
twenty-five yearsago, and San Francisco
was in her infancy.
Quite crowd had gathered on the
street, and the centre of attraction was
a big fellow, who stood with a newspaper
IN his hand. raving and cursing.
whats the matter, Wolfe- asked new
conner. who was evidently familiar with
the irate man.
"Matter9' 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 something bout me
0, I'll fix EN- They'd better never have
been born! They better go an kill them
selves after ten minutes it'll be an easier
death fur EN-
| Wolf was noted desperate, who, it
was said had killed more then twenty
men. and but few knew him who did not
fear him. He was at that time chief of
gang of loafers and gamblers that were
nearly always found lounging around in
the vicinity alluded to, and disturbing the
whole neighborhood daily with, riotous
conduct. II there was any law in those
days it was seldom executed against such
characters, and in the full consciousness
that they were feared they did pretty
much as they pleased
The newspaper which had given such
deadly offence to Wolf was little weekly
Journal and it's Office was in the second
story Of a building on the same street with
the hotel have mentioned, and only 8
few rods distant. 1t was published BY
young men-or, l might say boys, fol
they were only eighteen and twenty years
old, spectively-- named Darrell and
Haynes. The paper and its youthful pro
pfietors We're already well know in the
city Of San Francisco
The article which had excited the wrath
of the ruffian Wolf was bold denuncia-
ton of himself and his crowd for their
lawless conduct, and it particularly men,
toned him by name, characterizing him
as q "blustering bully" 1t was the work
of young Darrell fearless boy hailing
from one Of the Western States. Before
leaving his home in the Mississippi Valley,
he had acquired fair education, so that
he COULD ut least edit newspaper in those
early days; and he possessed, besides,
that courage and daring which are more
thoroughly developed by the exposure to
dangers and hardships. Young Haynes
was quite different kind OF person in
point of courage. being Of an unusually
timorous nature.
10 return to the scene on Sacramento
street. Working himself up into his worst
mood-and his best was bad enough, hea-
ven knows-Wol tore the paper to atoms
and started for the publication office. He
was followed by curious rabble, most OF
whom were elated with the prospect
a murder, though there were some pres
ent who would have demonstrated with the
evil-hearted man, had they dared.
jest you watch" said Wolf, as he
reached the door, ''if We want to see Their
bloody carcasses tumble out of the winder!
1t won't be long. don't spend much
time on sich fellers.''
1t was the intention of the cruel hearted
man actually 10 cut the throats of the two
boyish journalists and throw their bodies
ont of the window, for the qualification of
the crowd and the further exaltation of his
already fearful name So, the mob on the
street awaited the issue with feverish ex-
pectation, as Wolf hourishing his knife and
revolver, entered the rude frame building
and rushed up stairs.
All unconscious of their danger, the two
young editors were busily engaged pur-
suing their usual work in their primitive
office If they had heard the noise with
out they had paid no attention to it, sup
| posing it was merely a street row such as
they were accustomed to hear every day
Darrell was sitting at a rude table writing
and Haynes was sitting at the counter
arranging some papers for the mail.
They heard the catter of heavy boots
on the stairs, but supposed it was some
rough miner coming up to subscribe Tor
the paper, or perhaps, to see lawyer
| who occupied u couple of rooms on the
same floor; for the building was only Il
two-story one. and the second floor was
occupied exclusively by them and an at
tomey-their rooms being separated from
his by narrow hallway that was reached
by the flight of stairs alluded to.
"Ah-ha Eve got ye, my young imps !"
exclaimed the desperado, bursting in.
HAYNES recognized him and turned pale.
Being ut the counter, which faced the
door and extended across the room. he
was naturally the first mark for VOLTS
vengeance.
''Ye young devils :" he Kissed, scowl.
| ing like madman, ''Ye'll never write nor
Hllui IioiC pOub ltc AltTc nt
ilourshed his knife and revolver above
his head. 'I've got sure thing on both
of ye :" Saying this he looked about him
with a careful scrutiny. to see that there
was no means of escape Tor the quiet
youth at the table. who, of course, would
not dare TO jump over the counter and try
to pass him, but would COVER down will,
fright in a corner and take his turn at be-
ing killed; then he reached the counter
and seized Haynes by the hair, which un-
fortunately was very long.
Coiling the terrified young mans locks
around the great coarse fingers of the lell
hand, Wolf laid his revolver upon the
counter without the slightest apprehension
that his youthful adversary would snatch
it up and use it on him, as he might have
done had he possessed the nerve. then
ilourished his big cleaning knife deiib-
erately with pure devilishness prolonging-
HAYNES terror and pain.
.'Now pray, you young un Y he Kissed.
sYou'yc got couple of seconds or so
left-jast while I'm clipping your ears
7 of. In take 'em of first, clean and