The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-08-13
A Carving
Knife Affair
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

into sheep raising in the southwest
That was II 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 dcSperadoeS.
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 u
small farm and asked admission Of n
woman who bore evidence OF refine
ment. He was admitted and treated
with Kindness and attention by the
family, among whom was very pret-
ty daughter just grown to womanhood.
The family name was Osborne. The
father had lost a 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 capi-
tai. Macknight became interested in
these people and remained with them
several days.
One evening Il 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
Mt home. Muldrough rode away say
ing that he would call again. AS soon
us he had gone the lady collapsed.
There had been trouble between Null
drough and Osborne. the former hav-
ing branded some Of Osbornes stock
that had strayed on to his ranch.
MacKnight listened to the story told
tearfuily by Rosa Osborne, and his
sympathies were aroused.
The day after Muldrougt'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 a matter OF
Importance. Muldrough came to the
store, in which at the time were sew
eral cattlemen making purchases.
81 understand. Mr.. Muldrough." said
MacKnight, that there Is trouble be-
tween you and man of the name of
Osborne. at whose house l put up for
a few days. 1 have called for you to
see If l can't bring about settle
ment."
Young man." said Muldrough, 81
want you to understand that II you
don't want TO go the road / propose to
send Osborne you'd better keep out of
this business"
MacKnfght tried to reason with the
man, but, finding it 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 chance for his life.
In other words. he should have the
choice OF weapons"
BY this time the cattlemen had gath
cred round and evinced an interest in
the discussion. 1t was plain that they
were advocates of fair play.
"You kin tell Osborne" replied Null
drough, that III be at his house to-
morrow morning at 10 O'clock. Find
out what weapon he prefers. and I'll
nave IT with me-
'IIe will fight you with bowie
knives" rejoincd MacKnisht.
"Muldrough laughed. "All right" he
cried. "Pll be there with bowie
knife"
Gentlemen" said MacKnight, turn
ing 10 the cattlcmcn. there is quar-
rel between this man and Mr.. Osborne.
at whose house have recently been
entertained as a guest. Mr. Osborne
has Il family and can't afford TO die at
present | am bachelor ana am Mt
liberty to take any risk. I'll fight Mr.
Muldrough with knives twelve inches
long on condition that the fight he
transferred TO me ana Mr.. Osborne
have nothing further TO do with it,"
That's fair" was the unanimous ex-
clamatiOn, and Muldrough unwillingly
consented to the change.
4 couple of carving knives were pro-
duccd, each n foot long; ring was
formed. two of the cattlcmen were
made seconds and a third umpire.
MuldrOugh who was large man,
lowered over his antagonist. who was
Of medium height. MacKnight ad
vanCcd. rctrcatcd, advanced again,
danced about his opponent. his knife
jumping about as glibly as himself.
1t flashed in the sun and left q cut in
Muidrongh's cheek. from which blood
gUShcd The knife flashed again. and
the tip of the big mans nose came Off.
MUidrOugl went for his opponent as
hu'i after torcador. but MacKnight
was not there. Nevertheless he left
cash in Muldrough's other cheek
While Muldrough was wondering how
# came his knife flew up in the air,