Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-04-05
Harrv', manner Of speaking impressed

nicative, at all times reticent, and he
rarely referred to his past life. He was
dashing fellow about 35 years of age,
and there was not q thread Of silver in
his raven hair or his dropping mustache.
He was a native Of Buffalo, and had
been conected with the Courier of that
city, had written half dozen books, and
there was very little of the United States
that he had not thoroughly explored. His
full name and title was Captain Henry
J. Norton, the title having been acquired
in the recent Cuban revolution.
This incident, as | am pleased to term
it," he began, "has never been narrated
but once before, and then it was pored into
the priest at the St. Charles Hotel, New
Orleans, about eighteen months ago.
When cross the range and go prospect
ing Gods country, you can tell it if you
see fit. -Four years ago tonight was
in Deadwood. had returned from an
expedition up the Yellowstone river and
published book on research. Dead
wood was at that day what Leadville is
at the present time-all life and fire, and
riches and glitter. There were no beg
gars in the street, and every man was the
possesor Of gold, mining stock or unlimited
credit. was guest of the Dacota
House, and passed my nights at the thea
tres. At one Of the theatres woman
whom had known in Detroit three years
before was singing ballads. She was too
noble a woman TO tread the boards OF
any stage, but like many others was
gifted with sweet mezzo- soprano voice.
she found in the yatiety stage an easy ave-
nue. to q livelihood. She was woman,
every inch, and was always accompanied
by a younger sister 10 and from cities
and their Michigan home. Being an old
friend, she felt perfectly at home in my
company, and we were together much
OF the time. No man in Deadwood, ex-
cept my self would she permit to act as her
escort, and the consequence was that it
was not many weeks until was envied
by half the men in camp. On the night
| refer to, after the theatre, | went down
into the bar-room of the hotel for the
purpose of taking drink before retiring.
While pouring out glass Of whiskey a
stranger walked up and accosted me,
saying;
You are Mr.. Norton, | believer
answered in the affirmative, and IN
yited him 10 drink. He hesita,ed for
moment: and then called for lemonade
with light stick" asked me to accom-
pany him out TO the street. He was a
fine looking young man, of heavy build,
wore better clothes than the average MI
ncr noted all this from the fact that
he was a stranger who wished a private
conversation with me, and had been so
uncivil as not TO introduce himself. To-
gether we stepped beyond the door
way. and then halting, he said;
"You are a man and q gentleman, and
am the same. love Miss- men
,ioning the name of my actress friend;
and she could love me, am certain,
were it nor for you.
raised my hand TO strike him down,
and the muzzle of a revolver, the butt OF
which was in his hand, deferred me. l
stepped back a couple of PAGES.
II have thought this matter over" he
continued, lowering the revolver. land
have determined that one OF US must die.
could have shot you down any night
and none could have been the wiser, but
am frank enough to make you prop
osi,ion."
But shall offer no objection to your
marrying Mis-" l said, hurriedly.
"She is zothing more than dear friend
to me. Go ahead and win her, man /
thought that he was not in his right
mind.
NO said he slowly and with deter
animation; "this world is not large enough
for we two men. | will kill you before
this night is done or you will do me the
same favor. You are armed and shall
have an equal chance for your life; we
will 90 up the valley little way, and
there settle our quarrel like men. III
kill you none shall ever know whether
the leases were right or wrong, and i'll
fall it will be no malice toward you.
He took my arm and we walked dn
the street together. 1t seemed like
dream to me, and yet there was the man
anxious to murder me, at my side. |
began to grow nettled, and was suffici-
emily reckless before We reached the
Bismark stage road to have fought him
with bowie knives had he demanded
it. Then, too, | was angry at the free
manner in which he had spoken of Miss
-. Up the valley we strobe, some
thing like 400 PAGES. The snow was
crisp and hard, the moon was full and
in the clear sky lit up the surrounding
country and the sleeping city below in
fantastic manner. Two or three hungry
COYOTES, which had ventured down to the
outskirts of the camp, scampered away
and were, except myself and companion,
the only evidence of life in the valley.
Presently my strange guide and enemy
halted and said:
"You stand here and will step ten
PAGES farther on"
obeyed his directions.
He paced off ten strides and removing
his hat, faced me, revolver in hand.
"Hold, on" said |, "if your mind is fully
made up to shoot me, at least let me
know your name.
That makes no difference to you, he
said. Its as good one as you can
boast. Please be ready when / count to