The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-08-17
A Carving
KnifeAfaiir
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

INTO Sneep raising in the SOUTHWEST
That was a time when the country be-
tween the Mississippi valley and the
mountains was being settled by new
people and the population was COM
posed of hardy pioneers, men broken
down financially who had gone there to
recoup. and desperadoes.
MacKnight concluded to go out and
look over the ground. The mode OF
travel In the region referred to was on
horseback, and, as for stopping places,
any settler would take in stranger.
One evening MacKnight rode up to a
small farm and asked admission Of a
woman who bore evidence Of refine
ment. He was admitted and treated
with kindness and attention by the
family, among whom was a very pref
ty daughter just grown to womanhood.
The family name was Osborne. The
father had lost fortune and gone
west partly because he had not the
means to enable his wife and children
to move in the same circle to which
they had been accustomed and partly
in the hope of accommodating new CAPT
tai. MacKnight became interested In
these people and remained with them
several days.
One evening mana bloated, hairy
fellow with an ugly look on his face
rode up to the house and called for
Osborne. Mrs. Osborne turned pale as
she told the man, whose name was
Muldrough, that her husband was not
at home. Muldrough rode away say
ing that he would call again. As soon
as he had gone the lady collapsed.
There had been trouble between Null
drough and Osborne, the former hav-
ing branded some Of Osborne's stock
that had strayed on to his ranch.
MacKnight listened to the story told
tearfully by Rosa Osborne, and his
sympathies were aroused,
The day after Muldrough's visit |
MacKnight left the Osbornes. Instead |
of pursuing his tour he rode to the |
store a few miles distant from which |
the neighborhood was supplied and |
sent messenger to Muldrough that he
would like to see him on matter OF
importance. Muldrough came to the
store, in which at the time were sew
eral cattlemen making purchases.
Il understand, Mr.. Muldrough." said I
Mcknight, that there Is trouble be-
tween you and man Of the name Of
Osborne, at whose house put up for
a few days. / have called for you to
see if / can't bring about a settle
ment."
Young man." said Muldrough, Il
want you TO understand that If you
don't want to go the road propose to
send Osborne you'd better keep out of
this business
MacKnight tried to reason with the
man, but. finding 1t impossible TO pro-
duce any effect on him, took another
tack.
"Since you are determined to fight
Mr.. Osborne" he said, II think you {
should give him a chance for his life. q
In other words, he should have the
choice of weapons"
BY this time the cattlemen had gath
sred round and evinced an interest in /,
he discussion. 1t was plain that they h
we're advocates OF fair play. $
you kin tell Osborne" replied Null il
trough, that I'll be at his house to- a
morning at 10 o'clock. Find .
tut what weapon he prefers, and III y
lave IT with me-" u
HE VIII fight you with bowie =
tnives,' rejoined MscKnight. J,
"Muldrough laughed. "All right" he !,
.ried. "rll be there with a bowie q
inife." .,
Gentlemen" said MacKnight. turn y
ne TO the csttlemen, there is a quar- 81
el between this man and Mr.. Osborne, N
t whose house have recently been q
as a guest. Mr.. Osborne
las a family and can't afford TO die at n
resent j am a bachelor and am at lC
berty to take any. risk. III fight Mr.. "a
fuIdrough with knives twelve inches u
ong on condition that the fight be re
transferred to me and Mr.. Osborne HI
ave nothing further 10 do with Il"
That's fair" was the unanimous ex-
lamation. and Muldrough unwIllingly
10 the change. X
A couple Of carving knives were pro
uced, each a foot long; a ring was
prmed. two Of the cattlemen were Iei
lade seconds and a third umpire. u,
fuldrough. who was a large man. Of
,wered over his antagonist. who was ca
medium height. MncKnieht ad- pr
anced. reiterated, advanced again, 81
anced about his opponent. his knife an
lmping about as giibly as himself. ~
flashed in the sun and left a cut IN ~
cheek. from which blood N.
ushed. The knife flashed again. and "a,
le tip Of the big mans nose came off.
went for his opponent as =
bun after a t0read0r. but MacKnight -
IS not there Never heless be left Y
cash IN Muidrouch's other cheek.
lille Muidr0uch was wondering bow "
came his knife Few NJ IN the air. \
sserfhei a seruicircle and fell ~ his
ct lie wns about 10 uick n up In
hen bis adversary PIT his foet On D. "
"a heif fhe 7giHf - bis 0su knife 70 IL
r. dissrrued mans eft hreast The Y
ar vas ended
Mnidr~uah ~ 0siturns nians after
r.. f1r MacKnirht sougii = rnnrh In l.
e neirthprtood. married Ross o.
me snd vas E TserTetusl defenss fgs
> fafher -inlav- His stTu via the
lort sword had tseen acauirr1 e.