Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-05-16
The sturp Tfller.

The Sturp Tfller.
AQUEER DUEL.
THE FIGHT BETWEEN C0oDLEDoDGER
AND JONES.
When Sam Coodledodger went to Jones'
creek, ostensibly to visit his uncle. Juoge
Coodledodger, he went with the impress
sion mon his mind that he held his life in
his hand, for Jones' creek was, and is, IN
Western Texas, where, according to the
standard newspaper literature, one must
fight to live. That 0oodledodger went
fully believing this proves that he had
considerable of courage hidden under his
'sboiled shirt" and other toggery that goes
to make I'D the city dandy so much de-
spised by the rough and sturdy frontiers
man. But CoOdledodger's visit had
something of vital interest in it to him,
for he went to WOO and win Judge Coodle-
dodgers fair ward, the rich Miss Melissa
King.
He had met Miss King in Galveston the
winter before, and had fallen In love VIII
After her return to her Western home his
love had grown stronger and stronger from
day to day until it amounted to a passion
at the time, or shortly after, when ne re-
ceived 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 Coodle-
dodeer could contain himself no longer in
peace. He was very poor himself in this
worlds goods, and had an appearance and
q name to keep up or suffer social death.
So YOU see that even if the visit was not
altogether safe to life and limb there was
everything to gain ifthe goal could be won,
and failing, death would be preferable TO
life.
From this do not suppose for moment
that Coodledodger had the remotest doubt
of success; on the contrary, he was very
much prejudiced in his own favor, which
prejudice 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 80 as
to make it memorable affair for genera
ations to come on Jones' creek, Judge
Coodledodger gave a supper and dancing
party, inviting the neighborhood from far
and near.
Coodledodger, up to the time of the par
ty, had met with the kindliest treatment
from all around him, and had laughed
heartily in talking to his newly,made
friends about what he expected to 60
through in the shape of blood and gore
among them before coming 10 JONES
creek.
On the night of the party, however, ne
met q man whom he could not pacify by
his bland manners and fluent speech.
This man was John Jones.
Jones had for long time been an aspi-
rant for the hand of Miss King, and, COM
ing home from a months cattle drive and
finding her promised to another, had STIR
red up his wild spirit until it ragged as
madly as the waves that rush against the
rocks and beat themselves into foam, lash
ed into fury by the storm.
Sam Coodledodger and John Jones met
for the first time in the ball room, and
were introduced to each other by mutual
friends. Coodledodger, true to his gentle
breeding, was courteous and affable.
Jones, according to his nature and wound
ed feelings, in the presence of his rival,
was gruf and surly, showing his unfrlend,
illness 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 committed any of the afro
cious acts that give men such regulations.
Before midnight, however. he had sue
ceeded in making himself very disagree
able to Coodledodger in special, and to
nearly all the guests in general, 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: "Now, my city dandy, 1 want you to
leave this range as fast as horsetiesh ALI
steam cars can carry you" 49,,
"Why, what do you mean, Mr.. Jones"'
asked Coodledodger, greatly startled;
''Just what 1 say, If you dont leaVs
this part of the country between now and
daylight, will horsewhip you out of 1t
before the sun sets tomorrow"
Just then man approached them, ana
seeing who they were, addressed Jones
"NoW, John Jones don't play fool and 60
to bullyragging the fine gentleman from
the city. You can't get fight out OF him,
nohow; he's too soft and tender to nit
hard-or be hit"
"Don't I know it, Bill ?" answered
Jones, or I wouldn't have given him the
chance to get away with whole hide that
T have at this moment"
$50 you told him to go peaceably, did
you?" -, ~,
'That's what I did, Bill" Then turn
ing to Coodledodger, he asked: 'Now,
didn't I, dandy"
II suppose you did, Mr.. Jones: But
allow me to inform you that l will not
accept your proposition to leave now, or at
any time. I will remain here and risk
the consequences" Coodledodger's voice
had perceptible quiver in it as he spoke.
At this time several other young men
came up to where the rivals re standwe-
ing, when Jones retorted:
"Well,' dandy, I'll give you another
chance. You can either fight me with
pistols at daylight or take horsewhip'
ping little later on"
"Fight with pistols?"
"That's what I said!'
"But-but, Mr.. Jones, consider the-the
danger" stammered Coodledodger.
danger of what?"
"Why, I am afraid-afraid you-you
might get hurt"
ssWhat would hurt me, dandy?"
s'The pistol. Pistols 60 off and hurt
,oonIo eouetimes accidentally1