Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-08-25

Two Foolish Young Men Make Tar
gets of ThemseIv YES.
At 2 O'Clock, Friday morning, the deni-
zens OF the southern portion Of town were
startled from their quiet slumbefs by the
reports Of two pistols, following each
other in 10 quick succession that the two
shots we're blended in one prolonged re-
port, and came from the direction Of the
Jackson furnace. Instantly all cars were
stretched to catch a repetition Of the firing
and a more accurate knowledge Of the To-
cality, but such were doomed to disappoint-
ment, as no second report followed and
they slowly sank of into dreamland, in
the meanwhile wondering at the report at
that untimely hour. But the SENTINEL
reporter, who happened to be m~eandering
through that part Of town, was not so
easily satisfied, and proceeded in the direc-
ton from whence the firing m Meet
ing with no one, he made his way to the
north side Of the furnance, but as well
might have sought a solution to the
mysterious shooting in the bowels Of the
earth, for an impcnetrable gloom peryaded
the house and not a sound was to be heard
above his W heart-beats. Pecring through
a crack in the building the vision alone
met the ghost-like machinery, the outlines
Of which were only d~iscernable in the inky
darkness. Utterly confounded and at d
loss to account for the reports he was posi-
tive as coming from that direction, the re-
porter was about to turn and leave, when
his ear caught q sound from within
the building. He Immediately crouched
low in the shade OF the old fur
mace, revolver at full cock, to
await developments, but ere many mo-
ments had elapsed four men emerged from
a side door and stood just in the shadow
OF the building. where there was sufficient
light for the reporter t, see that one of the
men bad his left hand tied up in a hand
kerchief. Slipping quietly around the
corner, and following the shade of the
building, the reporter Immediately recog-
nized the man with the wounded hand as
q San Francisco acquaintance, and was not
slow to leave his hiding place and inquire
INTO the strange affair. Introducing him
self he found that just then his place would
have been preferable to his company.
However. we learned the cause Of this mid
night visit to the old furnace, and what
oceasioncd the firing, but was sworn to the
utmost secrecy, therefore, Of the parties TO
the affair WE shall retain silence, though
there can be no harm in mentioning this
startling, and what might have been fatal,
episode.
1t appears that a Young man Of Eureka
and this California man have been on
terms Of the greatest intimacy. and only
recently the man from the Bay came to
Eureka visiting aud rusticating. Ever
since his s~ojourn in town they have been
constantly together when circumstances
permitted, and the best OF feeling pre-
vailed up to d few days since, when they
fell out. Oar readers are aware
of the fact that when intimate friends
quarrel it is almost a hopeless
effort to try aud bring about a reconcilia-
ton. Particularly was it SO in this case.
Both mon were high strung and men of
determination, and each felt that he had
just cause of complaint, and neither would
acknowledge his shortcomings. OF course
this state OF affairs led from bad to worse.
and finally a feeling was cngendered that
nothing but blood would wipe out the in
suit that each imagined lie had received at
the hands Of the other. Finally the word
was passed. accepted. aud cconds chosen,
but all conducted with the utmost secrecy.
Even their friends except the two seconds
and rcportcr) are not knowing to the affair.
The Jackson furnace was chosen as the
field Of honor, and the hour 2 O'Clock
4. ID. The plan was for tie principals to
be ushered into the building from opposite
sides, each provided with a self-cocking
revolver OF the bulldog pattern, and there
in the dark commence firing at each other
as soon as tie signal should he given.
A more outraSeously planned and
carried out ameade honorable has
never come under our notice, and
many n brave heart woald have faltered
on the threshold before going into a dark
room to be shot at, and be utterly unable
to locate his antagonist. except by the flash
Of his pistol. But We digress. The plans
were carried out to the letter, and the two
Young men SO desirous of each others
blood were placed in the building. and at
the agreed moment aud signal both fred,
one Of the balls slightly wounding the
hand Of the young man from the Bay,
while the other escaped without a scratch.
Hardly before the report had ceased to
echo through the building, all feelings of
animosity had left these young men, who
only a moment before were seeking each
Others lives. They spoke, and at the
sound OF the well-known voice. now sub
dued, each felt the injustice Of his action,
and a reconciliation was there effected, and
to-day they are the beat OF friends. and no
word can express their happiness that the
affair terminated so fortunately.