Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-01-20

down; / lay down on my bed, / was
in sad confusion ofthought Nv brain
was wearied with its workings. | fell
asleep. awaked at four o'clock and
got light, washed and dressed myself.
My servant, whom had reused, stared
at me and asked if | was unwe!l. Isaid
"a little So Might he fetch the doctor,
then" No
THE only comfort l could find or
make was in the resolution TO fire wide
of the mark the Only prayer my heart
could breathe, was the fervent wish
that could manage it well. ALPS well
that ends well, said 10 myself. We
shall be friends again at breakfast as if
nothing had happened. Arthur loves
me- and him better than al 9th
erS.
1T wanted some minutes 10 FIVE when
my odious second arrived, with his pis-
tolls wrapped in silk handkerchief.
We exchanged but very few words; but,
as we walked TO the ground, he said un-
Ieelingly, This will not be pistol for
two-coilte for one kind OF duel, but
very harmless one, will answer for it
my younller, so you need not look so
pale My very blood ran chill as he
spoke, and felt terrified:
EVERY crime
Has, in the moment Of its preparation,
lis own avenging angel, dark misgiyings,
An ominous sinking al The inmost heart"
We proceeded in silence to the sands.
1t was a dull misty morning. Hill and
his second were already there. Hills
second joined mine, and they conferred
a little together. | hoped that the duel
might yet be aveIted. l longed to run
over to Hill where he was walking up
and down about thirty yards from me,
and to press him to my heart. The de-
lay arose from HIPS second not chusimg
that the meeting should actually take
place till a surgeon was in readiness to
give any succor that might be needed.
The ground was measured, but they did
not suffer us TO take post till they saw
the assistant surgeon about half a mile of,
walking towards US. My second had so
cOntrived matters, that this amicable
doctor should know nothing of the duel
until the parties were going forth; and,
even then: had not informed him who
were the principals.
As found myself opposite the youth
whom | best loved, with a pistol in my
hand, my eyes swan, and felt sick aud
giddy. All the presence of mind had
was intent upon making sure to miss
him. heard the words, ready, present.
| raised my pistol, with careful slow
ness, and (according to the rules, when
| got the aim | designed) | fired. In
that moment guilt, remorse, rage, and
despair fell as it were upon me, and they
have dwelt with me ever since for TWEEN
| ty long years they have held me, in their
cruel hands. My hope shuddered as
pulled the fatal trigger. dared moi
follow the shot with my eyes, but !
heard the fall, and tainted upon the
earth. When | recovered my senses ]
was laid by the side of Arthur Hill upon
the sand, and he had got my hand in his
( and he was looking at me kinder and
sadder than ever saw any body upor
earth look, and, i'll few minutes with {
heavy sigh, he died. Poor Arthur!
killed him, and | have never been quite
well since-not to say quite right.-Tha
hymn you heard me speak was found il
Arthur's desk, copied out in his owl
hand, and his friends sent it TO me, two
years ago, to comfort me, and it does fol
the time but am very miserable gooc
sir very"