New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-05

SAWYER, whose delicstely organized, SICILY
wife had already borne him eleven chuofen
and died in an ambitious attempt TO com
nlete the dozen, avOwed that the presence
Of a person of Mr.. Oakhurst's various and
indiscriminate gallantries, was an Insult 10
the memory Of the deceased, that as
man, he could not brook.
II was about this time that Mr.. Oakhurst;;
contrasting himself with a conventlonal
min gled, became aware that there was
something in the face, figure and carriage
quite unlike other men-somethlng tnat IL
i did 70. betray his former career, at least
showed an individuality and originality
that was suspicious. In this belief ne
shaved of his long, silken moustache, and
reiigiously brushed out his clustering curis
every morning. He even went so far as to
affect negligence of dress and md his
small, slim, arched feet in the largest anu
heaviest walking shoes. There is story
told that he went to his tailor IN oacra.
mento, and asked him to make him sun
of clothes like everybody else. The tailor,
familiar with Mr. Oakhurst's fastidiousness,
did not know what he meant II mean,
said Mr.. Oakhurst savagely, "somethlng
respectable-somethin that doesn't ex-
actiy fit re you know" But, however,
Mr.. Oakhurst might hide his shapely limbs
in homespun and homemade garments,
there was something in his carriage, some
thing in the pose Of his beautiful head,
something in the strong and fine manh1ess
of his presence, something in the perlect
and utter discipline and control Of his mus
Giles, something in the high repose OF his
nature-a repose not so much matter OF
intellectual ruling as of his very nature
that 90 where he would and with whom, be
was always notable man in ten thousand.
Perhaps this was never so clearly intimated
to Mr.. Oakhurst as when, emboldened by
Mr.. Hamilton's advice and assistance and
his own predictions, he became San
Francisco broker. Even before objection
was made to his presence in the board-the
uuentiy bv Watt Sanders, who was sup
posed to be the inventor of the freezing
out" system OF disposing of poor stock
holders, and who also enjoyed the reputa-
ton Of having been the impelling cause Of
Briggs of Tuo,umne's ruin and suicide
even before this formal protest of respecta-
bil:ty against lawlessness, the aqailine sug-
gestions of Mr.. Oakhnrst's mein and coun-
tenance, not only prematurely huttered the
pigeons. but absolutely occasloned much
uneasiress among the fish hawks who circled
below him with their booty. Dash me !!
but he's as likely to go after US as any body
said Joe Fielding.
1t wanted but few days before the close
of the brief summer season at San Isabel
Warm Springs. Already there had been
some migration of the more fashionable,
and there was an uncomfortable suggestion
of Gregs and less in the social life that re
NAMED. NJ. Oakhurst was moody-it was
limited that even the secure reputation of
Mrs. Decker could no longer protect her
from the gossip which his presence excited.
II is but fair TO her to say that during the
last few weeks of this trying ordeal she
looked ike sweet, pale martyr, and con-
ducted herself toward her traducers with
relied Tot upon the idle homage of the
crowd, but upon the security of a principle
that was dearer than popular favor. They
talk about myself and Mr. Oakhurst, my
dear" she said to friend, "but heaven
and nv husband can best answer their
calumny. It never snail be said that my
husband ever turned his back upon friend
in the moment Of his adversely because the
position was changed, because his friend
was poor ard he was rich This was the
first intimaton to the public that Jack had
lost money, although it was known gen
orally that the Deckers had lately bought
some valuable property in San Francisco.
A few evenings after this an incident
discoid with the general harmony that had
always existed at San Isabel. 1t was at
dinner, and Mr.. Oakhurst and Mr.. Hamil-
ton, who sat together at separate table,
were observed to rise in some agitation.
When they reached the hall, by common
instinct they stepped into little breakfast
room, which was vacant, and closed the
door. Then Mr.. Hamilton turned, with
nalf-amused, half-serious smile, toward his
friend, and said:
If we are to quarrel, Jack Oakhurst-
you and lin the name of all that is ride
ulous. don't let it be about -!''
/ do not know what was the epithet
1t was either unspoken or lost.
raised wine glass and dashed its contents
into Hamilton's face.
As they faced each other the men seemed
to have changed natures. Mr.. Oakhurst
was trembling with excitement, and the
wine glass that he returned TO the tables
shivefed between his fingers. Mr.. Hamil
ton stood there, grayish white, erect and
dripping. After pause he said coldiy:
$50 be it. But remember!-our quarrel
commences here. 1t l fall by your hand
you snail not use it to clear her character:
# you fail by mine you shall not be called a
martyr. am sorry it has come to this, but
amen.-the sooner now the better
He turned proudly, dropped his lids over
bis cold steel-blue eyes as if sheathing
rapier, bowed, and passed coldlv out.
They met twelve hours later in a little
hollow two miles from the hotel, on the
Stockton road. As Mr.. Oakhurst received
his pistol from Colonel Starbottle's hands
he said TO him, in a low voice: Whatever
turns up or down l shall not return to the
hotel. You will find some directions in ny
room. Go there buc his voice suddenly
faltered and he turned his glistening eyes
away, TO his second intense establishment
I've been out a dozen times with Jack
bathurst, said Colonel Starbottle after
ward, land l never saw him anyways cut
before. Blank NE if didn't think he was
losing his sand, till he walked to position
The two reports were almost simultane-
ous. Mr.. Oakhurst's right arm dropped
to his SIDE and his pistol would
have fallen FROM his paralyzed fingers, but
he discipline of trained nerve and muscle
prevailed, and he kept his grasp until ne
had shifted II to the other hand, without
changing his position. Then there was
silence that seemed interllinable, a gather
smoke curl still lazily foated, and then the
hurried, husky, painting voice OF Colonel
starbottle in his ear: Hes hit hard
through the lungs-you must run for it,
Jack turned his dark, questioning eyes
upon his second. but did not seem 70 listen,
'ather seemed TO hear some other voice,
'emoter in the distance. He hesitated, and
hen made step forward in the direction
If the distant group. Then he paused again
rs the figures separated, and the surgeon
;ame hastily toward him.
He would like to speak with you mo-
nent,' said the man. You have little time
@ lose, know: but" he added, in lower
7oice, lit is NY duty to tell you he has still
ess.'
A look of despair, so hopeless in its in
ensity, swept over Mr.. Oakhurst's usually
face, that the surgeon started.