The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-03-18


"And for the punishment of such transgression,
nature has implanted in the breast of every man
instinct, Unwritten Law, which provides
retribution for the crime. l folloWed him to
Frankfort ;-and,-I seW him.
You killed hin,?" They both asked with
breath astonished.
81 killed him. | demanded from him what the
world calls honorable satisfaction in order to CON
ceal from the world the motive for the deed. This
he refused, | then sought him in his accustomed
places to pick quarrel and forced a challenge
from him. He had left town.
THAT night, beginning to fall, /
manned in the office of the tavern discussing with
several of my friends who dropped in the poll
teal ISSUE naturally since that is the one absorb
ing topic in the mind of everybody.
From of them | learned, incidentally, that
Steae was banqueting his friends that night. An
other dropping in later, remarked that Steales
house was illuminated from top to bottom; enter
tanning his friends 1t made no special impression
upon me beyond the fact that Steae had returned.
Soon the office was deserted; all had gone out to
the torch light procession myself.
About nine o'clock l retired to my room, and
worn out with anxiety about my wife, and the
stress under which labored, threw myself upon
the bed and fell into a troubled sleep, from which
awoke with start about eleven o'clock my
mind fixed upon Steales banquet
""They all leaving about now my first
thought. My second-there can be no better time
than this to catch him at home;-alone.'
81 arose quickly and being already dressed was
soon prepared for mortal encounter | had
me that there was no other recourse. Steale be-
ing now aware of my purpose would not only be
upon guard himself at all times. but would
doubt seek some advantage by which he might at
the first opportunity rid himself of so dangerous
an adversary who held not only his life, but his
honor also in his hands l felt instinctvely, that
now was my time to settle the matter upon my
terms, not his, and this much | owed my wife
myself independent of the serious grievance
II looked out of my window and saw that there
was quite fall of snow covering the ground
completely. Being always careful about little
things | buttoned light overcoat-which l had
thus far had no occasion to in Frankfort
close up to my chin, the collar covering my
ears. and wore my heavy overshoes.
The household by this time wrapped in
sleep, so had difficulty in leaving the hos
telrie, unohserved, by side door which | left
unlocked behind
"a light snow still falling, and the streets
deserted reached Steale's without meet
ing anyone in time to witness the arrival of
the latest guests. | watched in the shrubbery
until the way was clear.
'In my pocket carried the little pistols which
| had taken from Marguerites desk, and two even
bladed knives, such used by gentlemen in
travelling, means OF defense. | did not de
sire to take any advantage of him allow him
to have any advantage over me.
II waited in the shrubbery until l saw the
guests upon the balcony awaiting the arrival of
come
The snowfall deadened any possible sound
of my footsteps as | approached the house. my
arm nerved for the blow | meant to intlict; my
heart more keenly alive to the possibilities of
being forced to declare the cause of the deed than
to the probability of the loss of my life one
Of us must die!
My knock upon the door answered by
Col. Steale in person; thinking, perhaps it was
of the guests arriving.