Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-09-17
From the Christian Observer.

IHE REV. j. w. FLEICH Eli.
His courage and intTepidity were We.
ry remarkable. There is an anecdote
related by his biographers on this sub
jcct, SO striking, that cannot resist the
temptation OF presenting it to your rea-
ders. Mr., Fletcher had very profit.
gate nephew, military man. who had
been dismissed from the Sandman SER
vice for base and ungentlemanly con
duct. He had engaged in three duels,
and dissipa.ed his resources in career
of vice and extravaganza. This des-
perate youth waited one day on his eld-
est uncle, Gen. de Cons, and present
ing loaded pistol, threatened to shoot
him unless he would Immediately ad
vance him 500 crowns. The General,
Thoughts brave man, well knew what
desperate he had to deal with, and gave
draft for the money, at the same time
cxpostulating with him freely on his con-
duct. The young man rode off trium-
phantly with his i'll gotten acquisition.
In the evening, passing the door of his
younger uncle. Mr.. Fletcher, he deter
mined to call on him.. and began with
informing him what Gen. de Cons had
done, and as proof exhibited the draft
under de Cons own hand. Mr.. Fetch
er took tho draft from his nephew, and
looked at it with astonishnient. Then
after some remarks, putting it into his
pocket. said, "ltstrikes me young man,
that you have possessed yourself Of this
nete by some indirect method and in
honesty cannot return it, but with my
brothers. knowledge and appreciation"
The nephew's pistol was Immediately
at his breast. "hly life, replied MIR
Fletcher, with perfect calmness, is Sc
cure in the protection of an Almighty
Power: nor will he suffer it to be the
forfeit of my integrity and Of your rash
ness" This firmness drew from the me-
phew the observation. that his uncle de
Cons, though an old soldier, was morea-
fraid Of death than his brother. Afraid
of deatbp' reioined Mr.. Fletcher; "do
you think have been Is years the mi
MISTER OF the Lord Of Life, to be afraid
of death nowp No sir. it is for goa to
iear death. You are a gamester and
cheat, yet call yourself gentleman!
You are the seducer Of female inno-
ceuce, and still say you are gentle
man! You are duellist. and for this
you style yourself man of honor!
Look there, sir, the broad eye of Hsa-
ven is fixed upon US. Ttemble in the
presence of your maker, who can in a
moment kill your body, and forever
punish your soul in hell" The unhap-
ply man turned pale, trembled alter.
nately with fear and rage. He still
threatened his uncle with instant death,
Fletcher, though thus menacedS gave
10 alarm, sought for no weapon, and at
tempted not to esca pe. He calmly con.
versed with his prohigate relation and
at length perceiving him to be affected,
assured him in language truly paternal
till he had fairly disarmed and subdued
him. He would not return his broth.
er's draft, but engaged to procure for
the young man some immediate relief. |
He then prayed with him, and after full
filling his promise of assistance, parted
with him, with much good advice on
one side, and many fair promises on the
other. &c..
The power of courage founded onpie
ty and principle, together with its in-
fiuencs in overpowering the widest and
most desperate profigacy, were never
more finely illustrated. It deserves to be |
put into the hands Of every self styled
"man of honor to show him how far
superioris tho courage that dares to die !