The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-03-13

likeness and without hesitating moment,
Pardon me. sir, have already written
you on that subject must decline TO
discuss il further.
'Am to take this for your answer?'.
asked Cone, excitedly.
1T is the only answer | have to give
your" was the calm reply.
Then denounce you as q miserable
little traitor, cried Cone mad with ex-
element. 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 across his cheek.
Wild with pain and passion. without
uttering word, he drew keen pointed
dirk knife aud made one furious thrust at
his weak little adversary's heart. In
stantly as he did so, however, Stephens.
seizing stout umbrella which he held in
his left hand, interposed it as O defense
and was able for moment to hold him
at arms length. The knife fell short of
its mark. Once more it was thrust at
Stephens, cutting deep cash in his arm,
but reaching no vital point; eighteen
times il cut deep into his breast, arms
aud body, but still he did not fall. Then
he could hold out no longer. No
courage, no spirit, however firm and uc-
yielding, could long withstand such an
attack. Cone was determined to finish
his work. He threw all his great weight
against the umbrella which held him
away from the man he intended to kill.
1t broke; Stephens, half fainting, fell
upon his back. The giant Cone was at
his throat in q moment; his head, by a
grip of iron, was held against the cruel
| floor; the keen and blood dripping 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 defiant
his black eyes flashed undauntedly.
'.Retract, on TIL cut your cursed
throatp Kissed Cone.
'fCutl I'll never retract" gasped the
almost lifeless Stephens.
| Like flash the knife came down.
With an almost superhuman effort the
PROSTATE man. caught it In his right
hand Clean through the muscles, ten
dons- and bones of the hand it cut, then
stuck fast and rea. no vital part
With desperate strength Cone tried to
wrench. it free, with a grasp almost oil
death the horribly naangled and mutt
| lated haLd still held it fast. In the
struggle Stephens was once more dragged
| to his feet. The blood was rushing in
streams from his many wounds His
hold upon the knife which sought his
| brave heart began to relax. He was
dying. But even when he. believed thu
next moment would DO his last strong
men came to his relief. The mailman
Cone was secured and held fast.
! Then quickly the wounds which Mr.
/ Stephens had received were examined
1t was found that one of them had pen
etrated TO within o sixteenth of an inch
of his heart. An intercostal artery has
been cut. The doctors declared that ht
would surely die. Happily their pre-
dictions Were not verified. His life wa,
saved by the unremitting care of sur
geon, his devoted friend, who, as goot
fortune would have il, happened to be il
Atlanta at the time. When he recovered
with magnaminity of which few mel
are capable even of understanding h,
refused TO prosecute Gone, and that per
son. instead of getting his deserts in tn,
/ dark cell of state prison. was fine,
81 900 and, with his "honor indicated.
was allowed to go free. To the day o
his death Mr.. Stephens spoke of him il
terms of consideration and forgiveness
Not long ago, referring to the terribl
struggle have attempted to describe
an showing me the great hole in hi
mangled hand. he said, with quiet an
taF--away- look in his deep, dark eyes
Poor Conel I'm sure he'd be ~sexry
he knew what trouble / have had {
write with there stiff fingeas of mine