Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-06-25

| vicious looking man Tor all that, briefly
replied, "An right" and these two de-
| termined enemies clinked their glasses
with the unconcern of mere social drink
| erS.
But, after this, they proceeded prompt
| ly to business; the Judge, who was
rather slow on his guard, was the owner
of badly-cut arm within three minutes
| by the barkeeper's watch, but not until
| he had given Billy,who was parrying a
| thrust, an ugly cash in his left temple.
| There was busy hum during the adjust
ment of bets on " first blood" and the
combatants very considerably refrained
| from doing serious injury during this tenn.
poraryIdistraction, but within five minutes
more they had exchanged chest wounds,
i 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 roared back and forth, and when
Pentecost, by virtue of his universally
conceded authority, commanded silence,
there was a great deal of fnger-teleg-
raphy across the circle and Misunderstanding
| in return.
| Such exquisite carving had never be-
| fore been seen at Hanney's-that was
freely admitted by ALL Men pitied alb
sent miners all over the State, and won
dered why this delightful, lingering,
long drawn-out system of slaughter was
not more popular than the brief and
commonplace method of the revolver.
The Webfoot rapturously and softly
quoted the good DR.. Watts
NY willing soul would stay
In such place as this,
And
when suddenly his cup of bliss was
dashed to the ground, for Billy, Stun
bling, fell upon his own knife and re-
ceived a severe cut in the abdomen.
Wounds of this sort are generally fatal,
and the boys had experience enoughin
such matters to know it, In an instant
the men whe had been calmly viewing a
life and-death conflict bestirred them
selves to help the sufferer. Pentecost
passed bottle of brandy over the coun-
ter; 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 pro-
fessionally from the first, and had knelt
beside the wounded man at exactly the
right moment. After a brief examina-
ton he gave his opinion in the following
professional style: "No go, Billy; you're
done for"
"Good Godw exclaimed the Judge,
who had watched the doctor with breath
less interest, "ain't Their no chance?"
"Nary," replied the doctor, decidedly.
"Tm ruined man--I'm used-up
cuss, said the Judge, with look of bit
ter anguish. 81 wish I'd gone under,
too"
easy, old hoss," suggested one of the
boys; "you didn't do him, yer know"
"Thats what's the matter!" roared the
Judge, savagely; "nobodyll ever know
which of us whipped"
And the Judge sOrrowfully took him
self off, declining most resolutely 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: C | don't want to make--to make it
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. any of-you
fellers, butts Their "a preacher in the
camp?"
The boys looked at each other inquir
ingly; men from every calling used to go
to the mines, and no one would have
been surprised if back-sliding 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:
go God hez miserable wretch got to
cut himself open, an then flicker out,
without anybody to say prayer for
him?''
The boys looked sorrowful-if gold
dust could have bought prayers Billy
would have had first-class assortment
in an instant.
"There's Deacon Adams over to Pat
TINS" suggested a bystander, can they
do say he's regular rip-roarer at prayin'!
But 'twould take four hours to go an
fetch him.
"Too long," said the doctor.
"Down in Mexico, at the Cathedral"
said another, they pray for afeller after
he's dead, when yer pay 'em for it, an
they say it's jist the thing-sure pop. I'll
give yer my word, Billy, an no go back,
that I'll see the jobs done up in style fur
yer, eff that's any comfort"
81 want to hear it myself" groaned
tire sufferer don't feel right; can't
nobody pray-nobody in the crowd?"
Again the boys looked inquiringly at
each other, but this time it was little
shyly. III he had asked for some one to
go out and steal a mule, or kill bear, or |
gallop buck-jumping mustang to iris |
co, they would have fought for the chance,
but praying-praying was entirely out |
of their line.
The silence became painful soon
slouched hats were hauled down over |
moist eyes, and shirt-sleeves and bare |
arms seemed to find something unusual
to attend to in the boys faces. Big
Brooks commenced to blubber aloud, and |
was led out by old Thompson. who want |
ed a chance to get of-doors so he
might break down in private. Finally
matters were brought to a crisis by
"Mose'-no one knew his other name.
Nose uncovered sandy head, face and
beard, and remarked:
Il don't want to put on airs in this
here crowd, but, eff nobody else ken say
word to the Lord about Billy Bent, I'm
a-goin' to Go it myself It's bizness
I've never bin in, but there's nothin' like
tryin'. This meetin' IL come to order to
wunst."
Hats OF in church, gentlemen COM
manded Pentecost.
OFF came every hat, and some of the
| boys knelt down, as Nose knelt beside
| the bench and said:
| so Lord, here's Billy Bent needs tend
| in toi He's PANIED out his last dust,
an he seems TO hev a purity clear idee
| tibet this is his last chance. He wants |
you to give him lift, Lord, an it's the
opinion of this house tibet he needs it.