The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-07-17

The Quiet Young Man.
/" Nearly every man who a,orst -,

passioned public orator has gone beyond
| tho boundaries of Arkansas. "There
was something about q Mississippj
River experience that tended to aid in
| vivid reproduction. The grand floating
drawing rooms, the wealth displayed at
every turn, and the studied politeness
and conventional ceremony Of sup
posed good breeding which you every.
where met, all come clD at once il,
reportrayal Of a chare$ter which, thus
surrounded, you hayE contemplated
But all Of this polittness and exhibi
ton of good breeding,I L must say, was
but the white foam on muddy water.
1T was the courtesy that could grasp
the hand of Il new acquaintance or shoot
an old friend.
''In the spring Of 1850 l boarded a
grand steamer at New Orleans bound
for up the river. I was very young
| preacher ut that time, and was under
orders to repair to small community
and assist III conducting revival.
| There was something of war being
waged between churches, and it stood
| our church III hand to concentrate
forces or lose ascendancy in the neigh
borhOOd. These were the DAYS of
political and religious vigor, and
avowed opposition in religious contests
was regarded as being no more out of
place or in i'll keeping with the faith
than the fierce struggles engaged in by
the Wings and Democrats. | was told
ut headquarters that another Young
preacher would lie sent to assist me, and
that If | needed more help to make my
! demands known at once. When /
boarded the boat / looked around for
my companion. in-armS, whose name |
even had not learned. The closest search
failed to discover my assistant. and
concluding that he had either preceded
or would come after me, l dismissed
the matter and settled down to the
quiet enjoyment of that occasion,
'"There were quite Il number of
gamblers - polished gentlemen - on
board, and although was opposed to
gambling, L could not refrain from
looking on and contemplating with
what serenity OF countcnance the play
erS parted with thousands of dollars.
Won't you take II hamd?' asked
one OF the players one evening, address,
ing Il young, pleasant-looking gentle
man who stood near.''
81 never play" lie remarked.
''Won't do you any karm."
II LIZ know it won't, & | don't intend
replied tail man, VIC handled cards
with an ease and lost with good will
that almost challenged respect.
"Yes," replied the young gentleman,
"a rare joker, because it is rare that |
joke"
"Ah, and punster," said the tall
man, relmqulshlng 81 900 with a smile.
ut makes little difference to you
what | am, came here to quietly look
on, not intending to engage in the
game or conversation, and especially,
not to be the butt Of any jokes that
might arise from i'll luck or success at
the table. Regardless of the business
you follow, l hope that you are well
enough acquainted with the manners
OF gentlemen to treat all unobtrusivC
locker Oh with civiity, if not with cour.
tasy."
You speak WE'LL" exclaimed the
man. 81 hope that l am gentleman
or good birth and education, and l hope
that L have not insulted you. If |
have, l sincerely beg your pardon.
Grant it willingly, and all will be well
reluctantly, and, as gentleman, which
you undoubtedly profess to be, you
know your recourse"
but for your last remark, would
have heartily forgiven you Of any in
tention to insult me. AS it is, do not
grant pardon, realizing that il gentle.
man is not expected 10 have dealings
with such as you. And, furthermore,
let me say that regard you as u cow.
ardly villain"
1.-The tall man sprang to his feet and
drewa bowie knife. The quiet man did
not even look at him."
''Take that back, or I'll rub your
heart over your facc!"
"Everyone arose, but no one felt dis,
posed to prevent bloodshcd.'
II said that l. regarded you as u
cowardly villain. Keep cool and l'l
tell you why. While we were engaged
i'll insinuating conversation saw you
steal a roll of bills from that man.
pointing to one Of the players. "Untlj
then, and but for the remark you
made, trying to compel cheerful
granting Of pardon, l was disposed tc
pay little attention to anything YOU
might say. Now, sir, have made III,
statement. have been led into this
and l may regret the consequences
don't hold him-but 1 shall make nt
| concessions.
''Thc tall mans eyes actually glared
have killed five men, and all for les.
than this" he exclaimed. ''Gct ou
OF the way I'll cut him in twoln
Get out of the wayl' said the
quiet man. 1T would greatly please
me If he were to sit down and conduct
himself less dangerously, but if he i:
determined upon IL wicked action, Lei
him he under no restraint"
"I on are foolish!' exclaimed one OF
the gamblers, turning to the quie
man. "Io GU are not armed, and evel
il you were Capt. Aicle would xii
you. am the man from whom you
say he purloined the bills. | saw tht
action but did not dare to intcrposc.
80 this IS Capt. Aiclc?" SAID tht
young gentleman. II have heard o
him. lie has very uns;lvoIy rcputil
ton i'll New Orleans. If well.con
structed reports be true, he is not onl.
Il thief, but Il murderer"
Get out of my wayl' howlcd tn,
Captain, and, struggling, he threw hi
companions aside and sprang forward
Like IL sudden revolution of a wheel
like an action whose quickness canno
be contemplated-the young man drew
a derringer and sent a ball through tin
Captains brain, killing him instantly
40 lx.-