Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-01-06


doubt the equations OF my heroes du
ring this tempest, were OF no very EN-
viable nature. BE that as 1t may, the
morning al length arrived, anu Henry
was early on Inc ground; he waited
not long. for William aud his friend
arrived soOu after, aud the prepare
tons began. The pistols were loaded,
and great, long, black, abomlnable
looking things they were. They look
ed wick ed a, Satan, and both the gen
'lemen cast a side long glance at then
while they were calmly receiving The
pow der and bali that might prove their
ruin. Then the PAGES were marked
off, and though Henry offered to do it
himself, probably because he had the
longest legs, the seconds would not
allow il; and every thing was orderly
arranged for the two wise young
mem to murder each other Secu3ldem
dTfem.
They were to fire at given signal,
and the second had lifted bis arm IN
the fatal motion, when man came
running up, almost GREATNESS, who
was recognised 10 be Pompey, the
black servant of Henry
For heavens sake he exclaimed !,
stop for one moment
What brought you here, sir?' said
his master, in an angry voice.
L came to save youl life. heard
you talk, last night, about this gentle
man. and pistols, and Miss Ptrcival,
and l began to suspect that you were
going to get into some scrape like this.
We'll, sir, be quick, OF leave the
ground
Yes, sir, Twill be quick, sir So
| began TO think you were going to
fight ID duel
You began to think-you lad no
business TO think any thing about the
matter"
No, sir; and l never would have
said or done any thing about it, if |
had not thought, sir, you were fight
ing with somebody about Miss Perez
val
How dared you suppose any such
thing, you saucy rascal, and what made
you think sol'
why, sir, l know Dick-black
Dick, sir, that lives at Mr.. Pcrcival's
house-generaIly called Snow ball
and he told me he thought as much
You insoleDt rascal, what business
have you, or Dick, or any other per-
son, to intermeddle in an affair like
this? What is it to you if l were to
fight for Miss Percivai?'
Pompey gripned SO as to show bis
teeth from ear to ear.
why, you black william said VIII
liam, what do you mean? What are
yon laughing att
why, there is no use,' Pompey said.
'of fighting for Miss Percival.'
why, why said both at once.
Because there is no Miss Percival in
the world
why, what's The matter? Is she
sick? Is she dead? said Henry, turn
ing pale
'No-better than that
what: Tell ME quickly
well, then, she IS
'What?'
Married.
Elizabeth Percival married. said
William.
'ElizabethPercival married. echoed
Henry. when?
Last night
The pistols dropped to the ground,
and the faces of the combatanls were
turned towards each other. They
were pale and red by turns. and for a
moment all was silent amazement.-I
Then their eyes met, and each geam.
ed with an expression of returning
friendship. Then one made motion
with his hand-his example was fol.
lowed by the other
why, Bill said Henry.
why, Harry said Bill.
They grasped each others hands.
and left not the ground till they had
sworn eternal friendship, and an eter
nal indifference to all womankind.-
They entered into firm alliance never
to feel the charm Of woman more; and
acknowledgements bachelors all their
lives. They acknowledged stoicism
to be their favorte sect, and commen-
ced the business of the following day
with an utter contempt for every body
in the world.
I knun fren,antl,, cann fhon, Sinca