The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-05-21
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Philadelphia Ariel.
THE DUEIIISTS

OtS Wv 'tSt'NCtF "E~ 'AftCt'
THE DUELLISTS.
was few years since travelling in the val
ley of the Connecticut, and in the afternoon of
snltry day, stopped at one of those beautiful
villages along the borders of the Connecticut
strolled out to the high grounds in the vicini-
| ty. AS stood viewing the scenery, discover
ed an aged man seated on log beside me. As
! he appeared to be communicative, | asked him
number OF questions, and among others, who
was the owner of a handsome white house which
stood near the centre of the village. Z" That
said he, belongs to our Doctor; dashng fell
low in his youth. I'll tell you a story of him, if
you have patience TO listen" | si9nifed NV
willingness to hear him, and he continued
When DR.. II. was young as l observed before,
ne was dashng blade-loved high life-and,
his happiest moments were in the company of
kindred spirits, with an abundance of Madeira
Although not remarkable for his courage vet
he had temper OF his own, which was easily
I ruttied. In one Of his midnight revels, differ
ence arose between him and one of his conlpan-
ions High words followed, and challenge to
| meet the next morning was given and accepted.
But when The morning came it braught sober
ness with it, and both wished themselves across
the Atlantic for their courage was evaporated
with the fumes of the wine. AS the hour ap-
preached, their hearts sank within them; but it
was now too late the die was cast and one or
1 the otherwas lose hislife twas noticed when
! they met, that the color forsook their checks
they were deadly pale, and their hands trembled
exceedingly. And when they spoke, it was in a
1 thick husky voice, like that of drowning man
Inc ground was measured, and they had taken
their stands, when 10 the Doctor noticed his
I lock was broken. This he contrived to do on
his way to the ground-but of that he was ST.
lent. What was to be done 1t was growing
late and no time was to lie had. The alright
ed knights, especially he of the broken lock.
{ were but too ready to agree to a reconciliation
After 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 OBJ
}served, " | am extremely pleased, gentlemen,
that this affair has been thus amicabiy settled ;
for what would the world have said to your fir
ing without balls p Without balls - exclaim-
ed the astonished principals, in breath. " The
fact is even so, gentlemen, as you will find upon
I examination" The sound pistol was fred
against board which showed the black mark
=, OF the burnt powder; but no perforation was
found By which ball might have escaped The
seconds burst into loud laugh and the dough-
ty knights began to feel some return of their
former anger. After few bouts of angry
words, however, they separated; the principals
in high dudgeon with their seconds, who had
I thus brought them into an acknowledgment of
their cowardice DIR. II. muttering on his way,
something about retaliation. The story soon
got wind which exceedingly vexed the Doc
) tor, as he had been first to back ou;. He was
haunted with the idea that every youngster he
met, wore smile of derison on his lip, and
eer in his eye as much as to say, " Frightened at
an ernpty pistol" This he would not brook, and
was determined upon revenge. In the course
of few weeks, the affair was smoothed over,
and to all appearances, the parties were as good
friends as ever.
II was bitter cold evening in December,
| when the Doctor invited a number Of his ac-
auaintances 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
, boisterous, when the Doctor stepped out of the
: room and returned with powder cask in his
:, hand, walked deliberately towards the fire, evil
IDENTIFY with the intention of placing it on the
burning embers. The company were sober in
an instant, and their faces were pale with at-
fright. He then said very gravely and deiber-
aely, " gentlemen in my opinion we have lived
about long enough, and may as well die now as
any time. ! motion that we blow ourselves up
together" and Immediately laid the casz on the
r fire. The scene of confusion that followed,
4 can be better ina gined than described. Ia
blcs, chairs and glasses were dashed on the
+ floor i'll one mass of ruin. A general rush TO
!, the door followed The first in mis- hustle to
, descend, pitched headlong to the bottom of the
stairs The second at first step was thrown
forward by those behind, and all went helter
SHELTER to the bottom in body. Those who
were able, picked themselves up and took to
their heels. One cnsconced himself beneath a
cart which had been left in the vicinity the day
previous. Others were running for dear life at
the top of their speed. EIc under the cart, after
waiting as he thought most unreasonable time
for powder to ignite, and finding the cold air
rather uncomfortable, venturod to peep from his
hiding place, and seeing all quiet cautiously
picked his way to tho house. He there found
, one Of his companions who upon the alarm, at
tempted to escape by the window, and falling
head foremost, had buried himself to his middle
in snow drift. Being unable to extrcate him.
self, and half dead with fright, he stuck fast
with his logs in the air like pair Of compasses
Casting glance at his friend in adyersity, he
walked softly up the stairs, and vontured peep
into the room; there, to his great amazement
beheld the Doctor seated quietly before the fire,
I bottle of Mad@ra in ono hand, and hali
epoptis1 ,r{oes Il, Aha CklAAr eroZiur Mt the re-