Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-26

! you nave patience 10 ifbton.' signl10d
my willingness to hear him, and he con-
,inued-W When Doctor II. was young,
as l observed before, he was a dashing
bIade-loved high life-a and his happiest
moments were in a company Of kindred
spirits, with all abundance of Madeira.
Although not remarkable for his courage,
yet, he had a temper of his own, which
was easily rufiled. In one Of his mid
night %reyels, a difference arose between
him and one of his companions. High
words followed, and a challenge to meet
the mex morning was given and accept
ed. But when the morning came it
brought soberness with it, and both wish
ed themselves across the Atlantic; for
heir"courago was evaporated with the
fumes Of the wine. AS the hour APP
preached, their hearts sank within them;
but il was now too late. the die was cast,
and one or the other was to lose his life
1t was noticed, when they met, that the
colour forsook their cheeks--thoy were
deadly pale, and their hands trembled cx-
ceedingly. And when they spoke, it
was in a thick husky voice, like that OF
a drowning man. The ground was
measured, and they had takontheir stands
when 10! the Doctor noticed his lock was
broken. This he contrived to do, ON his
way to the ground-but of that he was
silent. What was to be donei 1t was
growing late, and no time was TO be had.
The affrighted knights-especially he of
the broken lock-were but too ready to
agree to a reconciliation. After a few
preliminaries, they shook hands, and
were on as good terms as ever. On
moving from the battle ground, they were
congratulating themselves on the happy
issue Of the adventure, when one Of the
seconds observed, 6 am extremely pleas
ed, gentlemen, that this affair has been
thus amicably settled; for what would
the world have said to your firing with
out ballsi' without balls!' exclaimed
the %astonished principals, in a breath
the fact is even so, gentlemen, as you
will find upon examination The sound
pistol was fired against a board, which
showed the black mark ofthe burnt pow
der, but no perforation was found by
which a ball might have escaped. The
seconds burst into a loud laugh; and the
doughty knights began to feel some re-
turn of their former anger. After a few
bouts OF angry words, however, they
separated; the principals in high dudg-
con with their seconds, who had thus
brought them into an acknowledgement
of their cowardice; Doctor H.. mutter-
ing something about retaliation. The
story soon got wind; which exceedingly
vexed the Doctor, as he had been the
first to back out. He was haunted with
the idea that every youngster he met,
wore a smile of derision OF his lip, and
a leer in his eye as much as to say,
&C Frightened at an empty pistol" This
he would not brook, and was determined
upon revenge. In the course of a few
weeks, the affair was smoothed over, and
to all appearances, the parties were as
good friends as ever.
1t was one bitter cold evening in De-
cember, when the Doctor invited a num-
Der of his acquaintance to his room for
a carousal, and among them were the
two seconds in the late duel. They had
sat late, the bottle circulated freely, and
the company were pretty jolly and bois-
ferrous, when the Doctor stepped out Of
the room and returning with a powder
cask in his hand, walked deliberately
towards the fire, evidently with the in
tention of placing it on the burning en-
bers. The company were sober in an
instant--and their faces were palo with
alright. He then said, very gravely and
deliberately, Gentlemen, in my opinion
we have lived about long enough; and
may as well die now as any time. mo-
tion that we blow ourselves up together"
and Immediately laid the cask on the
fire. The scene of confusion that fol-
lowed, can better be imagined than de-
scribed. Tables, chairs and glasses were
dashed on the floor in one mass Of ruin.
A general rush 10 the door followed
The first, in his hustle to descend, pitched
headlong to the bottom of the stairs
The second at first step thrown forward
by those behind, and all went hotter skel-
tor to the bottom in a body. Those who
were able, picked themselves up and took
to their heels. One ensconced himself
beneath a cart which had been left in the
vincinity the day previous. Others were
running for dear life at the top of their
speed. He under the cart, after waiting
as he thought, q most unreasonable timo
for powder to ignite, and finding the
cold air rather uncomfortable, ventured
a peep from his hiding place, and seeing
all quiet, cautiously picked his way to
the house. He there found one Of his