The Washburn leader., 1915-09-03
A Carving
Knife Affair
By WILLIAM CHANDLER

Edward MacKnight, young Geor-
gian, after having been educated
abroad, thought he would like to 60
into sheep 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 60 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 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
importance Muldrough came to the
store, in which at the time were sew
eral cattlemen making purchases.
II understand, Mr.. Muldrough." said
MacKnight, 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 l can't bring about settle
ment."
young man." said Muldrough, Il
want you to understand that If you
don't want to 60 the road propose to
send Osborne you'd better keep out of
this business"
MacKnight 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, Il 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. It was plain that they
were advocates Of fair play.
"You kin tell Osborne" replied Mul-
drough, that I'll be at his house to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Find
out what weapon be prefers. and I'll
have it with me-"
HE. will fight you with bowie
knives" rejoined MacKnight s4 $
'Muldrough laughed. IAN right" he
cried. "I'll be there with bowie
knife"
Gentlemen" said MacKnight, turn
ing to the cattlemen, there is quar-
rel between this man and Mr.. Osborne.
at whose house l have recently been
entertained as guest. Mr.. Osborne
has family and can't afford to die at
present am a bachelor and am at
liberty, to take any risk. I'll fight Mr..
Muldrough with knives twelve inches
long on condition that the fight be
transferred to me and Mr.. Osborne
have nothing further to do with it."
'That's fair" was the unanimous ex-
clamation. and Muldrough unwillingly
consented to the change.
A couple Of carving knives were pro-
duced. each a foot long; ring was
formed. two, Of the cattlemen were
made seconds and a third umpire.
Muldrough. who was a large man.
lowered over his antagonist who was
Of medium height. MacKnight ad-
vanced, 'retreated, advanced again.
danced about his opponent. bis knife
jumping about as glibly as himself.
It flashed in the sun and left q cut In
Muldrough's cheek. from which blood
gushed. The knife flashed again, and
the tip Of the big mans nose came Oh.
Auldrough went for bis opponent -
q bull after 'toreador, but MacKnisht
was not there. Nevertheless hs left
cash In Muldrough's other cheek.
While Nuldrough was wondering how
1t came his knife dew UP 10 the air.
described q semicircle and fell at his