Louisiana capitolian., 1880-02-28
THE GAME LITTLE GEORGIAN.
A FIGHT ALECK STEPHENS ONCE HAD
WITH JUDGE CONE.

service, and pending the campaign Of
lS4S, he returned from Washington
to Georgia. He was fresh from the
great debates on the acquisition Of
California and New Mexico as United
States territories, and for having tax
en-, against the wishes Of u majority
of the Southern members, u most
prominent part in opposition to such
acquisition, he was met with much
adverse criticism. Judge Cone, who
was Mt the time one Of the le,Aling
politicians of Georgia, was particu-
larly severe in his comments upon MIR.
Stephens action, and was reported las
having publicly denounced him as a
traitor to the South.
Hardly had Mr.. Stephens reached
his house when these and similar re-
ports were conveyed to him. At first
he did not credit them, but MS one
kind friend after another informed
him that Cone had called hin u traitor,
and advised, in the true Southern
spirit. that he owed it to himself to
demand what is called "satisfaction,"
the fires of pugnacity in his nature,
which are always smouldering, blazed
up, and he declared thatif Judge Cone
would admit having called him u trai-
tor to the South he would "slap his
face" Not long after this he met the
Judge at a numerously- attended Wing
gathering, and, going up to him, 4"'-
city said:
"Judge Cone, l have been told that
you. for reasons Of your own, have
denounced me as a traitor to the South,
and take this opportunity Of asking
you if such reports are true"
"No, sir" was Cones reply, ''they
are not true"
~ am very glad to hear you say So"
said Mr.. Stephens, cordially, and IN
the same friendly tone continued !:
"Of course, ldoInotdesirc to be in any
way offensive to you, Judge Cone, but
in order that we may have 40 further
misunderstanding through the misrep-
resentation of others, think it right
to tell you that ] have said | would
slap your face if you admitted having
used the language attributed to you"
Upon this the Judge again disowned
having spoken disrespectfnlly OF MIR.
Stephens, and 50 for the time the af-
fair ended. 1t was the subject of
much discussion all overthe state, how
ever, and the general verdict was that
Judge Cone, u very powerful man by
the way, had shown the white feather
to "Little Aleck Stephens" In such
u community, no public man resting
under such a charge could hope either
for political preferment or popular re-
spect. Cone, of course, knew this,
and, very much heated and annoyed
by the comments which were being
made upon him, wrote to Mr.. Stephens
demanding an immediate and public
retraction of his threat. In reply, Mr..
Stephens wrote that the threat of slap
ping the Judges face had been made
contingent upon the truth of reports
regarding him which he (Mr. Cone)
had pronounced to be untrue, and that
such being the case, there could be no
cause for otfcnse or angry feelings on
either side. Unfortunately, this letter
was not received by Judge Cone.
Three or four days after it was writ
ten, however, he met Mr.. Stephens on
the piazza of u hotel in Atlanta; and
disregardiug that gentleman's friendly
greeting, said in II very offensive tone:
"Mr. Stephens, demand that you
make an immediate WtractiOn OF your
threats regarding me-"
Sick and weak though he was, Alex
ander H. Stephens could allow noone
to speak to him in the fashion de-
scribed. Judge Cone was a very giant
in size aud muscular development,
vet the frail mau whom he addressed;
with aggravating politeness and with
out hesitating a moment, replied !:
"pardon me, sir, have already writ
ten you fully on that subject. ] must
decline to discuss it further"
cam to take this as your answers"
asked Cone, excitcdly.
t cit is the only answer have to give
YOU" was the calm reply.
"Then | denouncc you rs u nisera-
bic little traitor" cried Cone, mad with
excitement. The last words had hard
ly left his lips, when light cane,
welded by the quick hand of the man
he had insulted, left its red scar across
his neck.
Wild with pain and passion, with
out uttering II word, he drew a keen
pointed dirk-knife and made one tun-
ous thrust at his weak little advcrsa-
ry's heart. Instantly as he did so,
however, Stephens, selling stout
umbrella which he held in his left
hand, interposed 1t as q defense, and
was able FOR II moment to hold him at
arms length. The knife fell short of
it's mark. Once more it was thrust at
Stephens, cutting deep cash in his
arm, but reaching no vital point;
eighteen times it cut deep into his
breast, arms and body, but still he
did not fall. Then he could hold out
no longer. No courage, no spirit,
however, firm and unyielding, could
long withstand such an attack. Cone
was determined to finish lis work. He
threw all his great weight against the
umbrella which held him away from
the man he had determined to kill.
1t broke; Stephens, half fainting, fell
upon his back. The giant Cone was
ut his throat in q moment; his head,
by u grip of iron, was l,eldagainst the
cruel floor; the keen and blood-drip-
ping knife was held aloft before him
ready for the last fatal thrust, but
still the poor pale face of the little
hero was set and dcfiant--his black
eyes still flashed undnuntrdlV.