The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1883-04-12
ular respect. Cone, of course knew
this, and very much

wrote to Mr.. Stephens demanding
an immediate retraction Of the threat.
In reply Mr. Stephens wrote that the
threat of slapping the Judges face
had been made contingent upon the
truth of reports regarding which he
| (Mr, Gomez had pronounced to be
untrue, and, that such being the
case, there could be no cause fer Of
tense or angry feeling on either side.
Unfortunately, this letter was never
received by Judge Cone. Three or
four days after it was written, how
ever, he met Mr.. Stephens en- the
piazza Of hotel in Atlanta, and,
disregarding that gentleman's friend
ly greeting, said in very offensive
tone:
"Mr. Stephens, l demand that
YOU make an immediate retractiSn Of
your threats regarding me.
SICK AND WEAK
Though he was, Alexander H. Steph-
ems could allow no one to speak in
the fashion described. Judge Cone
was giant in size and muscular de
velepment, vet the frail man whom he
addressed, with aggravating polite
ness, and without hesitating a mo-
ment replied; 'Pardon me, sir,
l have already written you On that
subject; must decline to discuss it
further"
cam 1 to take this as yOur an
swer?' asked Cone excitedly.
ct is the only answer l have to
give YOU" was the calm reply.
"Then l denounce you as a misera-
bic little traitor, cried Cone, mad
with excitement. The last words
had hardly left his lips when light
cane welded by the quick hand Of
the man he had insulted left its red
scar across his cheek.
Wild with pain and passion, with
out uttering a word, he drew a keen
pointed dirk knife and made enc fllri-
Gus thrust at his weak little adver-
sary's heart. Instantly as he did so,
however, Stephens, Selling a stout UNI
brella which he held in his left hand,
interposed it as a defense, and was
able for a moment to hold him at
arms length.
THE KNIFE FELL
Shsrt of its mark. Once more it
was thrust at Stephens, cutting a
deep cash in his arm, but reaching
ne vital point. Eighteen times it
cut deer 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 leng withstand
such an attack. Cone threw all
his great weight against the UNI
brella which held him away from the
man he intended to kill. 1t broke.
Stephens, halffainting, fell upon his
back. The giant Cone was at his
throat in momeut; his head, by a
grip of iron, was held against the
cruel floor, the keen and bood-drip-
ping knife was held alSft before him
ready for the last fatal thrust, but
still the poor, pale face Of the little
hero was set and defant-his black
eyes still flashed undauntedly.
"Retract, or I'll cut your cursed
throat" Kissed Cone.
"Cut! I'll never retract!' grasped
the almost ifeless Stephens.
Like flash the knife came down.
With an almost superhuman effort,
the PROSTATE man caught it in his
right hand. Clean through the mus
cles, tendons and bones Of the hand
| it cut; then stuck fast and reached no
vital part. With desperate strength,
Cone tried to wrench it free; with
grasp almest Of death, the horribly
mangled and mutilated hand still
held it fast. Ia the struggle Steph-
ems was once more dragged to his