The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-21

look for a triendp
"Still l hesltated, and he continued:
'Do you know what he did to me? Beard
ed me, by heavens! as l was lying upon
the grass This he shouted, jumping
up from his chair.
"He looked like fend. His eyes
glittered and flashed In his head, and he
ground his teeth as he thought Of the
insult he had, suffered; aud the wild
vindictive hatred he bore the man who
had given it took possession ol his very
soul.
"lt was no use dallying longer, as he
would get some one up from the SeJtle-
| ment to act for him. That idea was OBJ
noxious TO me, and, besides, l was by
| this time somewhat excited myself.
"'Very we'll, Tom,' L said, Il will do
as you desire, but tell me how the thing
happened.'
''ihen he told me how Blackhead, be-
coming jealous OF him, had picked a
quarrel with him, and no doubt imagin-
ing himself protected by the presence
of women, insulled him as l have just
| related.
81 called on Mr.. Blackhead that even-
ing and asked for private interview,
which he accorded, and we walked
around the side of the house.
"'You have insulted my friend, Mr.
Franklin, in a way that can never be
atoned for but by blood,' L said. Il am
here for the purpose of arranging meet
| ing. Who am l to see on your behallT
"To say that my way OF putting it
staggered him would but feebly express
the effect my request had on MIN. He
turned as pale as comp xion would al
low of, and began trembling, but man-
aged to stammer out:
| "'Oh-ah-it-it is too far to the set
Elements to bring a man from there in
time, so, If you have no objections,
shall arrange this matter myself.'
"My surprise was great, and own my
respect for the man rose when he thus
answered. Something in him, after all,
thought; although, for my part, would
/ have been thousand times better
pleased had he declined fighting alto.
gether.
"'Under the circumstances, can not
object to your PROPOSAL L said to him.
AT the same time, however, it is not by
any means regular
"'The eXigencies of the case must
then be our excuse he replied.
| ave then arranged the preliminaries,
of which it will be enough to say that
they were to fight next morning at 5
O'Clock, in slight hollow about mile
from tue houses. He chose six-shooters.
! Positions: Back to back at thirty PAGES,
and they were to turn, at tht wort. and
fire till one dropped; 1t be,ng und r.
stood that one OF them was to die upon
the field. If all twelve chambers should
be emptied Intellectually, was to reload
the revolvers and they were to try again.
All this went to prove that Mr.. Black
head was just as intent on murder as
| was my friend.
''This sounds very cold-blooded and
deliberate, no doubt, but what could
do? Both of them were bent on iguting
to the last, and would do SO even If
declined having aught to do with them.
All l could do, therefore, was to hope
and pray that something might occur to
prevent bloodshed.
81 did not sleep much that night, you
may be sure, but lay awake thiukIng
over all sorts of plans for getting out OF
my difficulty, but could form no one that
would do. However, my prayers were
heard, as you will presently see.
| "In the cold, daWning light next morn.
| ing, Tom and l Wended our way to the
little ravine, and arrived on the ground
half an hour before the time appointed.
The hour came and passed. No blood
thirsty rival could be seen anywhere.
began to feel quite jolly again, and lit
my pipe. / tried to make Tom do the
same, but he would not, lit would make
him shaky,' he said, grimly. We waited
still. Seven O'clock came, and no Mr..
Blackhead. Eight O'Clock the same.
Nine O'Clock, still no one appeared.
| Concluding the fellow had backed out
at the last moment, we started to return
home; and, between ourselves, do not
think Tom was aWfully sorry at being
still able TO walk back there. Passing
near the home of all the trouble, we OBJ
served signs of commotion in the house,
hold. They all seemed TO be running
about; now at the stable, and now on
| the top rail of the snake fence, gazing
out toward the horizon. What pos
sessed them l could not divine, and
leaving Tom to go home alone, l went
over TO see what the matter was.
"As l entered the yard, Mr.. Mitchell
came out OF the house looking very
angry and excited.
"'That scOundrel Blackhead has gone
away he said 10 me, and taken my best
horse along with him.
"Before L could express my surprise
at the occurrence-tor it did astonish
me that Blackhead, after acting so well,
had slipped his cable in that fashion;
and my opinion of him fell again to It's
original level. But, as l was saying,
betple l could put my thoughts into
| words, MfsS Minnie came out ana laNu-
ed q sealed envelope to her father. AS
she did SO l noticed tDat she did not ap-
pear nearly so much surprised at the
disappearance of her admirer as might
nave been expected. AS the old gentle
man cad the letter he uttered an ex-
preston o! satisfaction, and to k some
bank notes cut of it.
1.-Two hundred dollarsl a pretty fair
price for that maze. Mi nj =, W he diu
you lind tAisp
"On tue clock stand,' she replied,
and bIushed, why, knew not.
'Tnat was all Blackhead left behind
him. The letter gave them no clue to
his motive for gong; it merely stated
that lie wanted the black mare, and con.
tanned sort of apology ior tue uncere.
monious, not to say criminal, manner OF
purchasing her. AS for Tom and |, We
thought we knew all about it. Namely,
that he had become frightened at tIe
approaching duel, and cleared out IT,
avoid it. But we were not quite correct
IN this; for, after Tom ana Minnie were
marrieu-Which event took place the
next September. she made a
concession TO him, which he
repeated to me. She SAID she mad over
heard every word of my conyersatlor
with Blackheau, She was very muct