The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-06-20
A QUEER DUEL.

4 QUEER DUEL.
The Fight Between Coodledodger
and Jones
When Sam Cocdledodger went to Jones'
creek, ostensibly to visit his uncle, Judge
Coedleaodger, he went with the impression
upon his mind that he held his life in his
hand, for Jones' creek was, and is, in West
srn Texas where, according to the standard
newspaper literature, one must tght to
live. That Coodiedodger went fully bellev-
ing this, proves that he had considerable OF
courage hidden under his "bolled shirt :"
and other toggery that goes 10 make up the
city dandy so much despised by the rough
and sturdy frontiersman. But Coodle-
dodgers visit had something of vital inter-
est in il to him, for he went to WOO and WIN
Judge Coodledodger's fair ward. the rich
Miss Melissa King.
He had met Miss King in Galveston the
winter before, and had fallen in love with
her there and then for her own sweet sell.
( After her return to her Western home his
love had grown stronger and stronger from
day to day until it amounted to passion at
the time, or shortly after, when he received a
letter from his uncle, the Judge, informing
him that Miss King had fallen heiress to an
Immense stock Of cattle, which made her one
of the richest ladies of the land.
Upon the receipt of this news Ccodledod-
ger could contain himself no longer IN
peace He was very poor himself IN this
worlds goods, and haS an appearance and
name to keep up or suffer social death.
SO YOU see that even if the visit was not
sitogether safe to life and limb there was
every thing to gain if the goal could be won,
and falling, death would be preferable to
life.
From this do not suppose for a moment
that Coo6ledodger had the remotest doubt OF
success; on the contrary, he was very mucn
prejudiced in his own favor, which pre1u-
dice proved his correct opinion OF himself
and his fascinating powers.
Within two weeks of his arrival at Jones
creek the fair Melissa was wooed and won.
To give due notice Of the betrothal to the
world, and to celebrate the event so as to
make ita memorable affair for generations to
come on Jones' creek, Judge Coodledoger
gave supper and dancing party, inviting
the neighborhood from far and near.
Coodledodger, up to the time Of the party,
had met with the rdliest treatment from all
around him, and had laughed heartily in talk
ing TO his newly-made friends about what
he expected to go through in the shape Of
blood and gore among them before coming
to Jones' creek.
On the night of the party, however, he
met man whom ne could not pacify by his
bland manners and fluent speech. This man
was John Jones.
Jones had for a long time been an asplrant
Ior the hand of Miss King, and, coming
home from months cattle drive and find
ing her promised to another, had stirred up
his wild spirit until it ragged as madly as
the waves that rush against the rocks and
beat themselves into foam, lashed into fury
by the storm.
Sam coodledodger and John Jones met
for the first time in the ballroom, and were
introduced to each other by mutual
friends. Coedledodger, true to his gentle
breedins,W courteous and affable. Jones,
according to his nature and wounded feel
ings, ID the presence Of his rival, was gruf
and surly, showing his unfriendliness both
by word and act. Jones had the fame OF
being the desperate Of Jones' creek How
this fame was acquired by him no one could
tell, for, so far, he had certainly not COM
mitted any,of the atrocious acts that give
men such reputations. Before midnight,
however, he had succeeded in making him
self very disagreeable to Coodledodger in
special, and to nearly all the guests in gen.
erai, by his buster and swagger, and rude
remarks in the presence of all.
About midnight he met Coodledodger on
the porch, and taking him by the arm, drew
him to one side and whispered in his ear:
'sNow, my city dandy, l want you to leave
this range as fast as horsefesh and steam
cars can carry you"
"Why, what do you mean, Mr.. Jones?"
asked Coodledodger, greatly startled.
ssJust what say. If you don't leave this
part Of the country between now and day
light, viii horsewhip you out of it before
the sun sets tomorrow"
Just then man approached them, and
seeing who they were, addressed Jones:
"Now, John Jones, don't play fool, and go
to bullyragging the fine gentleman from
the city. You can't get q fight out of him,
uohow; he's too soft and tender to hit hard
-or be hit"
"Don't know it, Bina" answered Jones.
"orI wouldn't have given him the chance
% get away with whole hide that save
at this moment"
$50 you told him to so peaceably, did
your
ssThaes what did, Bill" Then turning
10 Cood3edodger, he asked: "Now, didn't l.
dandya'
"I suppose you did, Mr.. Jones. But allow
me to inform you that lwiG not accept your
proposition toleave now or at any time.
win remain here and risk the consequen-
ces." Coodledodger's voice had percepti-
bic qniver in it as he spoke.
At this time several other young men
came up to where the rivals We're standing,
when Jones retorted:
"Well, dandy,p pll give you another chance.
You can either fight me with pistols at day
light or take horsewhipping little later
on.''
"Nght with pistolsr'
'That's what said"
"But-but, Mr.. Jones, consider the-the
DANGER" stammered Coodtedodger-
danger Of whats''
"Why, I am afraid afraid you-you
might get hort.''
aWhat would hurt me, oandyl'
"The pistol rlstols 60 of and hurt peo-
pie sometimes, accidentally"
ssThat's so, dandy" laughed Jones,
rather uneasiy; then added, as he turned
to walk away: 'rll give you two hours to
accept the challenge TO fight, or you can
have the horsewhipping in the morning"
The young fellows burst out laughing at