The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-08-08
ere Still the appearance of eager

listening.
The Major was in no hurry; he could
afford to take his time with man who |
held his pistol at random, without look
ing whitherward. He was determined to
make sure work, If lis ball missed his
heart. even fraction OF an
inch, he would never make any preten-
sion to skill again.
The sharp report of the strangers pis,
tol was followed by convulsive jerk OF
the Majors arm, causing the discharge
of his weapon far wide of its mark,
while, he, staggering few PAGES back.
ward, fell heavily to the ground.
"Conduct me to him." said the man to
his friend.
The latter took his principals s arm, led
him to- the PROSTATE form of the Major.
whose second, kneeling by his side. had
torn open his garmenls,exposing to view
the fatal wound in his breast, made by
the strangers bullet.
"Is your friend seriously hurt" in
quired the latter. coolly.
"You can see for yourself, sir" the
second answered.
"rhere you're in error,"' replied the
other II am totally hlind!" !.
The wounded man, who by this time
revived little, and his second, looked
upon the man in astonishnent. There
was no visible defect in his organs OF
vision, but there was fixity of look
that "bending of eyes on vacancy
which Enthusiastically evinces the absence
of sight.
"Who are you, and what is your mo-
tive in seeking this encounter I" the Ma
jor family murmured..
| "Ffrst,are you in condition to renew
it ?" inquired the stranger.
"There is no need-I am dying"
"When have told you who am
the stranger resumed, "you will scarce
inquire my motive for what l have done
No wonder you have forgotten james
Merton, for he is greatly changed. nc
doubt"
The dying man started and groaned
bitterly
"But have not forgotten you, Rich
ard Buford, nor the Injuries you have
done me. A cherished daughter, th'
pride Of my eyes, and the joy of moth
er's heart, you enticed from her home
deceived by sham marriage, and thel
left her to die of broken heart n,
son, and only remaining child, in a rasl
|attempt to avenge his sisters wrongs
fell victim to your accursed skill. Yol
even robbed him of the ordinary chanc
of combat, unequal as they would hav
been, by encasing your cowardly bod,
in concealed armor. The loss of bot
:. of our children unsettled my wife's rea
son, and she died in mad house Coul
have found you then / would hav
given you no chance for your life, bu
valiant as you have always professe
Yourself to be, but coward as you ar,
you evaded me. Yet I knew you shoul
some day meet me; and l registered
VOW that when we did would offer yo
sacrifice to your internal art. To thi
end I studied to become an adept at i
:, and succeeded. And when a. lengt
blindness cast its shadow over me, an
! seemed to render hopeless the fulfilmel
: of my VOW, instead Of abandoning it
betook myself to new species of pra
. tice. / sought to make hearing take Il
= place of sight. Again / succeeded.
learned to take aim with ear instead .
:, eye When l heard you answer read
to-day, knew the exact direction
y which to point my pistol, as we'll as if
( had seen you. Besides, could hear ye
breathing where you stood. You 10
!. your chance in delaying your fire. Yo
wished to make sure work, and owe
reached yourself" te
:. More than once the Major looked a
! pealingly at the speakers face, but
= those remorseless, sightless eyes the
., ~ was no sympathy. And as the labor
4 breathing grew fainter, the old man
- sumed his listening attitude. AT last I
: was still .
= "He is dead - he said; and his wor
ed expression of settled melancholy Sc
4 tied on the old maa's face, as, taking
W companions arm, he turned and walk
away. E