The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-09-08

looking man for all that, briefly replied.
Gail right and these two determined
enemies clinked their glasses with the
unconcern of mere social drinkers.
But after this they proceeded promptly
to business; the Judge, who was rather
slow on his guard, was the owner ola bad
ly.cut arm within three minutes by the
barkeepcr's watch, but not until he had
given Billy, who was parrying thrust,
an ugly cash in his left temple. There
was busy hum during the adjustment
of bets on ''first blood,' and the combat.
ants very considerably refrained from
doing serious injury during this temper airy
distraction, but within five minutes more
they had exchanged chest wounds, both
too slight to be dangerous.
Betting became furious-each man
fought so splendidly, that the boys were
wild with delight and enthusiasm. Bets
were rolled back and forth, and when Pen
tecost, by virtue Of his universally con.
coded authority, commanded silence, there
was a great Of finger. telegraphy across
the circle, and head-shaking in return.
Such exquisite carving had never before
been seen at Hanney' s-that was freely
admitted by all. Men pitied absent min
ers all over the State, and wondered why
this delightful lingering, long.drawn out
system of slaughter was not more popular
than the brief aud commonplace method
method Of the revolver. The Webfoot
rapturously and softly quoted the good
Doctor Watts's-
my willing soul would stay
In such place as this,
when suddenly his cup Of bliss was d ash.
ed to the ground, for Billy, stumbling, fell
upon his own knife, and received a severe
cut in the abdomen.
Wounds of this sort are generally ia
tai, and the boys had experience enough
in such matters to know it. In an instant
the men who had been calmly viewing
life and-death conflict bestirred them.
selves to help the sufferer. Pentecost
passed bottle of brandy over the count
er: half dozen men ran to the spring for
cold water; others hastily tore off coats,
and even shirts, with which to soften a
bench for the wounded man. No one
went for the doctor, for that worthy had
been viewing the fight professionally from
the first, and had knelt beside the wound
ed man at exactly the right moment.
After brief examination, he gave his
opinion in the following professional
style: 'No go, Billy; you're done fer."
"Good God!' exclaimed the Judge, who
had watched the doctor with breathless
interest; ''ain't ther' no chance?''
Nary" replied the doctor decidedly.
''1'm a ruined man-I'm used up
cuss," said the Judge, with look of Bit
ter anguish. ''Iwish I'd gone under, too.''
EASY, old hoss,' suggested one of the
boys: ''you didn't do him. yer know
''That's what's the matter !" reared the
Judge savagely: nobody II ever know
which Of us whipped
And the Judge sorrowfully took him.
self off, declining most rcsolately to drink.
Many hearts were full of sympathy for
the Judge; but the poor fellow on the
bench seemed TO need most just then.
He had asked for some one who could
write, and was debating, in whispers. a
letter to some person. Then he drank
some brandy, and then some water: then
he freely acquitted the Judge of having
ever fought any way but fairly. But still
his mind seemed burdened. Finally, in
very thin, weak voice; he stammered
out: II don't want-to make-to make
it uncomfortable for-for any of-you
fellers. but is thcr' IA preacher in the
Campo
The boys looked at each other inquir.
ingly; men from every calling used to 20
to the mines, and no one would have been
surprised if backsliding priest, or even
bishop, had stepped to the front. But
none appeared, and the wounded man,
after looking despairingly from one to
another, gave smothered cry.
Oh, God, hez miserable wretch got to
cut his-selfopen, an then flicker out, with.
out nybody- to say a prayer for him %
The boys looked sorro vful-- if gold
dust could have bought prayers, Billy
would have had tirst-class assortment
in an instant.
"There's Deacon Adams over to Pat
tin's,' suggested bystander, ''an' they
do say he's reg lar rip-roarer at prayin' !
But 'twould take four hours to 90 and
fetch him.
TOO long, said the doctor.
Down in Mexico, at the Cathrdral,' -
said another, ''they pray for Teller after
he's dead, when yer pay 'em fur it, an
they say it's jist the thing---sure pop.
I'll give yer my word. Billy, an no back.
that I'll see the jobs done up in style fur
yer, eff that's any comfort.''
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