Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-08-21
A DUEL TO THE DEATH.
Story of Mans Crime and Woman's
Vengeance.
BY W. L. FRENCH.

It was in the early days of Texas,
many years ago, when the incidents that
form this sketch transpired. In one ofthe
small border towns, where the cattle
men Of the surrounding country met to
spend their money in drinking and
gambling, held forth gambler, who
was known by the name of Handsome
Cleye. If he had any other name no
one knew it; or whence he came. That
be fairly deserved the title handsome,
none who ever saw the man would deny.
Perhaps it was certain ease and grace
in his movements that won him the APP
pellation. But he was as heartless as
he was handsome, and though he usu-
ally bore polite and gentlemanly de-
meanor toward all with whom he came
in contact. yet he was known to be the
most dangerous man in that section OF
country in a deadly encounter. Sew
eral men who had given him offence
since he had been in the town had met
their death violently at his hands. His
skill with the revolver and his GOODNESS
in danger made most men fear to en-
counter him in fight, and Us law was
laxly administered on the border In
those days, his murderous deeds went
unpublished.
About this time there drifted into the
place young man from the East, who,
like many another young fellow, had
come to the boundless West to make
his fortune, and like the others, per-
haps. he had left behind a sweetheart
to mourn his departure and eagerly an
ticipate his return.
Henry Lester was only %. Young,
and unused to the wild. reck-
less ways of the people among whom he
had so recently entered, there is
little wonder that he soon encountered
trouble. In character he was honor
able to a fault and could not brook
cowardly, deceitful conduct in another.
On the evening of the day of his ar
rival in the town he drifted into Hand
some Cleve's saloon and gambling
house, and was soon engaged IN watch
ing the game closely between Cleve, as
banker and dealer, on one side, and
dozen cattle men on the other Cleve
was winning all the larger stakes with
ease and letting the smaller ones lose,
and. as Lester watched him closely, he
detected that Cleve was dealing what is
known in gambling parlance as brace
game. !,
Not for an instant thinking of the
danger to himself, he determined to in
form the men about the table that they
we're being swindled, and he said
sharply:
aMen. you are being cheated by that
fellow: he is not dealing fair, pointing
toward Cleye.
The men about the table looked at
the young man in surprise, and several
of them hurriedly moved away from the
vicinity of the table as though they ex-
pected that the bullets would soon be
fiying about there in q reckless fashion.
There was no one present that would
have made the assertion which he had
40 boldly spoken except with weapon
IN their hand ready for instant use.
Much to their surprise, however
Handsome Cleve did not shoot the dar-
in9-young stranger on the spot, he SIM
NV gave him sharp scrutinizing glance,
and, realizing that the man before him
was from the East, and no doubt I'M
skilled in the use of weapons, he de-
termined to engage in what he termed
"a fair fight" though nothing could
have been more unfair than duel be-
tween these two.
ssYou have made an assertion; now
come cut and back it." said Cleve
coolly. -,
aI can do that replied Lester
ouietlv. as he followed Oleve, who had
T;san and was moving toward the door.
He fully realized the danger wltn
which he was now threatened, and ne
wondered much that the men whom the
rambler had been systematically chest
inc did not punish him for his rascallty,
h7st he was not aware of the power
wbicb a cool. determined man exercises
over 4 crowd, through the fear In winch
they hold hi M.
sIf Won have any word for you
fr;ands vou'd better leave it with me,
e.;d a voice at his elbow, as he wa
about to pass through the door.
Henry thought the man had spokel
With a view of intimidating or frlghten
inc him. but the kindly face and 1901
Of the man assured him that he was II
earnest in what he had salo' anu iAe
replied: ..ea 81
@Only that my father be notineo Il
fall; YOU will find his address IN my ~ I,
ner coat pocket. and without waiting
for a reply he passed outside:
The moon was shining brightly aho
objects we're as plainly visible as .ne'
would have been by the Light OF day;
@Are YOU armed p asked Cels'
abruptly. as they approached the sPo
where he was waiting
On receiving a reply in the ainrmA