Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-10-20
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FURNISHING A DESPERATE.

! After the triumph of the American arms
on the fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma, the victorious force hurried across the
Rio Grande, and occupied the Mexican town
of Matamoras. But unfortunately, these were
not the only invaders, for marching with the
valiant soldiery, or following rapidly in their
rear, came another host, of small merchants,
of desperadoes, or gamblers, and every varle-
ty of reckless adventures, including swarms
of assassins and thieves.
Among the numerous gamblers, were three
brothers by the name of Allen. Their art
and dexterity, backed in each emergency by
the Bowie-knife and revolver, soon rendered
them notorious, and promised, in brief Pc
riod, to break every bank in the vicinity.
At that time there was brilliant saloon
kept open, for public amusement and private
profit, by one Fernando Rosa, a wealthy but
avaricious Spaniard. The dealer at the monte
table was his daughter, Maria, a young girl
possessed of that beauty which so often dis
tinguishes the females of her nation, and not
withstanding her unfavorable and doubtful
situation as principal in the genteel gam
bling house, she bore fair fame for virtue
as we'll as intelligence. She detested the po'
sition, and filed it only from the compulsion
of parental authority, and presided over the
cards in all the evolutions of 6ckle fortune
with the utmost honesty of conduct. As
might be logically inferred such various and
evident attractions combined to render the
establishment place Of general resort for the
elite of the army and all the most accom-.
plished connosseurs Of chance and to insure
the exclusion of the plebian class, the rule
had been fixed that the lowest bet on the
board must amount to hundred dollars.
1t was in the month of May, when the three
brothers Allen, having swept the counters of
the inferior banks of Matamoras, with their
pockets full of gold and heavy sums in paper,
entered the saloon Of Fernando Rosa, de.
termned to close it by fair or foul means.
The apartment was crowded with lieuten-
ants, and Others who had lost large sums of
money that night.
With that rude elbowing impetuosity which
more than anything else, marks the soul OF
the thorough bred rufian, the brothers made
their way to the monte table. Nearly every
body fell back from the board to safe dis
tance, and left the contest to the three frater.
nal gamblers. Even the dealer turned pale
at their appearance, and her fingers quivered
as she shuffled the painted cards.
There was one stranger, who maintained
his stand without Us much as glancing at the
intruders, and continued to play. He was q
tall, rather slender shaped man, some thirty
years of age. His dress was plain black, and
displayed a strong contrast with the gay
colors rich ruffles, and barbaric ornaments OF
the Aliens
The latter at the outset, staked a thousand
dollars each on the queen of hearts, and lost,
while the stranger, having deposited like
sum on the ace Of spades, proved to be the
winner.
"That trick was foul swindling" exclaim-
ed the eldest. At the same time the two other
brothers used insulting language.
The gaze of the spectators was turned to
the stranger, whose eyes flashed angrily as he
demanded in a tranquil but distinct voice,
though little louder than whisper:
"Gentlemen, do you intend to accuse the
lady of unfair dealing, or me Of pro6ting by
her partiality?"
"Who are you, that handy words with US,
the boys of Arkansas ?" said one of the AL.
lens.
my name is Thomas Jefferson Dugan," !"
answered the other. "Ioam from the State OF
Virginia, the proverbial chivalry of whose
sons is never talsi6ed by any act of mine"
."Do you mean this to be a threat" cried
one of the brothers.
"You may receive it as such, if you feel so
disposed" replied Dugan, without betraying
any emotion. II intend to convey the idea
that when am insulted, or my rights are
outraged, 1 am ready to demand or exact that
satisfaction claimed by gentlemen throug ghout
the world"
"You will 6ght" cried the elder brother
in astonishment.
Gall three, if necessary! was the cool re-
sponse.
"Wait till we break this cheat of bank,
and you shall be accommodated to your
hearts content!" said the eldest Allen with a
frown.
Again the young girl, with quivering 6n-
gers threw down the four leading cards !;
again the brothers risked their money, and
this time on the king of clubs; but the luck
still run against them, and they lost, while
the stranger won his bet, fifteen hundred on
the queen of diamonds.
"The she rogue has played US false, and
we will rake the tablet" vociferated the AL
lens, springng' to their feet, and drawing
their Bowie knives to execute their menace
by force of arms
But quicker than their motion was the ac-
ton of Dugan for stepping backwards, he
covered the heads of the two boldest despe-
radoes with pistol in each hand, and shout
ed:
"Villains stir muscle, if you dare!"
At this moment the bystanders interposed,
and an arrangement was effected for an inter.
view of honor between Dugan and the eldest
brother. The parties, attended by swarm
of excited spectators, met in the morning on
the bank of the Rio Grande, opposite the site
where the city of Brownsville now stands,
and were placed in position by their respect
i've seconds.
Allen, firing before the word was given,
missed. Dugan then exclaimed:
Assassin and swindlerE will not kill
you, for you are not fit to die; but will
Grip pie your elbow for life," and his bullet
shattered the others arm at the precise point
Indicated The remaining Aliens shrunk
from similar earnestly proffered ordeal.
Since then the victor has been resident
of the Rio Grande, and has engaged in
dozen other encounters, but always with the
same wonderful heroism and forbearance.
CHARACTER AND CREDIT.
We often hear young men who have small