Wichita eagle., 1889-02-28
A QUEER DUEL.
The Fight Between Coodledodger
and Jones.

|
When Sam Coodledodger went to Jones'
creek, ostensibly to visit his uncle, Judge
Coodledodger, he went with the impression
upon his mind that he held his life in his
hand for Jones' creek was, and is, in West
ern Texas where, according to the standard
newspaper literature, one must light to
live. That Coodledodger went fully believ-
| ing this, proves that he had considerable of
courage hidden under his 90 boiled shirt -
and other toggery that goes to 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 it 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 self
| 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 mis- 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 CoOdledod-
ger could contain himself no longer in
peace. He was very poor himself in this
worlds goods, and had an appearance and
a 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
every thing to gain if the goal could be won,
and failing, death would be preferable to
life.
From this do not suppose for a moment
that Coodledodger had the remotest doubt of
success; on the contrary, he was very much
prejudiced in his own favor, which preju-
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 it 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 kindliest 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 hape of
blood and gore among them before coming
to Jones' creek.
On the night of the party, however, he
met a man whom he could not pacify by his
bland manners and fluent speech. This man
was John Jones.
Jones had for a long time been an aspirant
for the hand of Miss King, and, coming
home from a 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
hao fba,,o i,4o foau loc ba1 :ptp f,,rr
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. Coodledodger, true to his gentle
breeding, was courteous and affable. Jones,
according to his nature and wounded feel
ings, in the presence of his rival, was gruff
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 atroclous acts that give
men such regulations. Before midnight,
however, he had succeeded in making him
self very disagreeable to Coodledodger in
special, and to nearly all the guests in gen
eral, 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. want you to leave
this range as fast as horsefiesh and steam
cars can carry YOU"
why, what do you mean, Mr.. Jones9"
asked Coodledodger, greatly startled
Just what saw. If you don't leave this
part of the country between now and day
light. will 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 fight out of him,
nohow: he's too soft and tender to hit hard
or be hit''
Don't know it Bill" answered Jones.
cor l wouldn't have given him the chance
to get away with whole hide that | lave
at this moment"
$50 you told him to go peaceably, did
you''
That's what did, Bill" Then turning
TO Coodledodger. ne asked: " Now, didn't l,
dandyp
Il suppose you did. Mr. Jones. But allow
me to in form YOU that viii not accept your
proposition to leave now or al any time.
will remain here and risk the consequen-
ces.'' Coodledodger's voice had percept-
bic CULVER in it as he spoke
At this time several other young men
came up to where the rivals were standing,
when Jones retorted:
well. dandy, IN give you another chance.
You can either fight me with pistols Al day
light or take horsewhipping little later
on"
Fight with pistolsr'
That's what said
"But--but. Mr. Jones, consider the-the
danger" stanmered Coodiedodser.
Danger of what
why. / an afraid afraid you-you
might get hurt
VI hat would hurt ne, oanoyF'
.'The pistol. Pistols go on and hurt PEG
pie sometimes. accidentally"
That's so. dandy" laughed Jones.
rather Ereaslly; then added, IS he turned
TO walk away: "rll give Tou two hours 70
accept the challenge 10 fight or you can
have the horsewhipping in the morning"
The Young fellows burst out sughIng a.
the spectacle CoodIedodger made he shook /
and shivered in every limb, and when tie /
bully turned TO walk sway he clasped his /
hands before him ard pleaded: Please, !
please, Mr.. Jones'
Just then some one tocched him On the I
arm. and when be turned around be recog-
nized bis cousin. Willie Coocae6oofer. Dor .