The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-09-27
The Anti-AIon0PolSt-

Jack snatched it from the surveyors hand
and thrust it into his pocket No one an
t,cipated such a movement, and it was some
moments before Tarbox recovered his self
possession so as to speak.
s.The flask belongs to Mr.. Ranney," he
said. ..Please let him have it,
1.-The flask belongs to me- retorted
Jack. .sHis shootin' war all accidental. |
| He only happened TO hit whar he did. But |
then. he can have the flask if he can git it.
or you either.
Tarbox bit his lip, and looked to the
other members of the party, undecided how
to act. Seeing his irresolution Ranney
stepped forward, and said:
..Don't trouble yourself Mr.. Tarbox.
The flask is mine, and will see to getting
it''
"You will, eh?" snarled the bully. '.Git
away from me-out Of arms reach-o1 I'll
smash you like roast taters ?"
Thus speaking the giant swung his fists
about, but the young man did not move.
Instead he received blow upon the head,
which knocked away mis- hat, and seemed to
change his whole nature to that of young
lion With strength and agility wholly
unlocked for he dealt the giant a fearful
blow full upon the nose, which knocked him
to the ground, and deluged the uncomely
face and beard with torrents of blood
t The, was momentary struggle upon the
ground after the bully fell, and then Stephen
stepped back pace or two.
In a moment the rutfian was upon his feet
again, ano with fearful curse he placed
e his hand where he expected to find re-
0 volver But it was gone. Then he sought
for his knife, but that too was missing.
] The young man had taken the precaution
r of removing them, SO that now the two
stood upon equal ground. But what con
e trast! Nine inches In height the bully
: lowered above his antagonist, while in actu-
y al weight he was more than twice his
r equal.
e There was no parley or hesitation Find
# ing himself weaponless Jack rushed for the
v Young man, and would have crushed him in
IS a deadly grasp, but the young man did not
wait for the process A quick, fierce blow,
d falling lust where the other had fallen stag
,e gered the rascal, and before he could see
l. what had become OF the man he supposed
Sc already in his grasp, tremendous crack in
s. the ear brought him again to the ground
% Again he scrambled to his feet and again
he was knocked down by single reverber-
re ating blow. The third time he arose, bu
te before he could wipe the blood from hi
Id eyes sufficiently to distinguish his antag
ag onist the hard earth again became his bed
nd This time he did not arise Immediately
,e- 1t was patent to everyone before this stag
en- of the encounter that he was overmatche
he for once, and at last that fact seemed to hav
become clear to his own mind. Drawn
Ill, the flask from his pocket he cast it upon tn
,as ground muttering savagely:
ck There's yer old flask Take it if ye
he want it so bad"
.ch Stephen stepped to the spot where th
coveted prize lay and picked it up, placin
ed. it beside his rifle. Then turning again
The the discounted bully, who had now rise
to his feet, he continued:
self '.Jack Dunlaw, / am not done with "
eat yet A few days ago you brutally insult'
YER Cora Russell | could have shot you dea
and should have done it had l not pitt
ms, you. Now you can take your choice-g
ind and on your knees ask her pardon, and thu
ed. quit this place forever, or iie where y
the stand! This quarrel is not of my seekin
but now that you have begun it take 20
lev. choice. l give you three minutes to d
test eide"
A half-dozen watches were produced, a
sed the att ntion Of our party WIS divided
rter tween their slowly moving hands and
excited group before US. At first 1t seem
ack, as though Jack desired to renew the hg
tier He looked around upon those who b
my been his confederates, out thelr symPa.
hit had gone, and it was apparent that Steph
Law Ranney had in moment became the he
of the occasion. JACKIE eyes, too, W.
his nearly closed from the energetic blows
the had received, and his courage, if any
re- had ev n possessed. TO have gone entirely
nod, a watch closed and returned
an the pocket of its owner. announced
the expiration of the time Not change
muscle or expression passed over Stephe
the features as he remarked:
1.-The time is up, Jack Dunlaw; viii
ting live or dies"
his Jack looked around once more, and pia
nner lively asked:
Jack s'What do you say, boys.
fleet do as he tells YER replied one who
been Jacks most devoted supporter III til
and past.
K al The last hope seemed TO leave the c
,ulls- temptible giant. In voice weak and '
re- vering, he said:
!. ..rll leave: that orser satisfy ye-
aged .sYou will do what said. or"
|, the The sentence remained unspcKen-
Dunlaw bowed his head, and walked NEE
ssed away to make the required apology.
twill not follow. though many did Five I
that utes later saw him. the blood washed
i no his face. walking slowly away into the
= hit est We did not see him again, nor oil
return TO that station to my knowledge
but The favor which JACK lost was tr
i'd his ferred to Stephen. and fine village "
mme has since grown up there, bears to-day
ghtly stamp of his quiet energy and courage
tar
sveled POWER or ENcHANTMENT.
akef" -
,anied was attacked IN inc year i'1' oy ane
young lish, who were obliged to raise the $