The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-08-26


out where he stands !!
found il was in vain to insist on my prior light Of
engaong and proceeded at once TO arrange the duel
for W alter. II was agreed between Mr.. Cotton and
myself that they should fight at eight PAGES, and
that distance was stepped out clear spot Of
ground and marked Walter here interfered: " |
have "A proposal to make" this affair that must
be settled effectuay must fall, aud fall To rise
no more five fire together, we shall not be GER
tain let the toss Of coin decide the first shot"
Benson's second conferred few moments with his
principal, and then, advancing to me said they
agreed to the proposal. In the mean time, had
rndeayored to persuade Walter to alter his intention
on this subject but without effect; therefore took
piece of silver and il agreed that, when threw
il i'm the air Benson should name his choice he did
so--and lost
thought that was coined i'll hell rushed through
my brain at that moment | saw Benson step up to
the place assigned him and plant himself ready for
his fate The malignity of his countenance seemed
darkened with his fortune; he still paler, more
iendlike; anI his black eye had horrible light as
he bent il on my brother He too had taken his
place. but he looked not his foe he stood side
wise, and his face turned 10 me there was joy
in his look hut not the joy of malignant triumph
not the fierce anticipation Oi victory II wss the gen
tie CLEAN of hope aud lovc-the Joyous rushing Of
the soul from the thraldom Of despair into The
regions of bliss it spoke of homc-of Emly-.f
Hence it fell upon my spirit; 1t told of my own
IhaIless desinyit told of the death of that hope
which ill then had lurked like a serpent in my bos
Iom--almosf unknown Ia myself-that Walter would
fall NV pulse stood still, and my whole frame be-
came rigid fhe thought that in my heart had
frozen my blood. Benson's second and myself
were loading The fatal weapons the bullet in
my hand- fell, and hidden in the long grass
~ my feet No eye it but mine. We placed
the pistols in their hands there n pause
an exploson---and Benson was in the arms Of his
friends.
| rut with a savage laugh he freed himself from his
hold " am not touched" he exclaimed." and its
my turn now !" Walter east "A bewildered look upon
me; covered my face with my hands to shut it out
| for my soul was snten beneath his gaze. Another
moment, and again the stiffness Of the morning
broken rushed To my murdered brother, and, as
he staggered back, caught his falling body IN my
arms. he looked up in my face his white lip quv-
cred, and his straining eye almost started from the
socket: Emily see her" he exclaimed, grasp
ing for breath he strove t. speak again. but a gush
of dark blood rushed from his mouth-a haze came
over his eye-rhe lid fell aud my arms bent beneath
the dead weight Of his corpse. | laid him along
upon the dewy grass, and knelt by his side. Ben
son and his friend came up; they spoke, but
needed them not | still knclt and gazed on the
corpse,--and il was not t heard the sound ofther
horses hOois that knew | was alone. then
raised self, but strange alteration seemed to have
come over all lhings the ivy that covered the church
was red--the trees and the grass that waved over
the graves were red--while the sky seemed huge
arch of smouldering fire there was no sound an
utter and horrible silence reigned unbroken all
things seemed dead
saw my horse standing at the gate of the church
yard | rushed toward him as to II sanctuary from
the pursuit of something dreadful u-nnd, leaping on
his back, rushed with the speed of "A whlrwind from
the horrible spot. woke from dream, and
found myself riding up the avenue of e'ms that led
To my brothers house. When reached he por-
tco, disuouned, and wo I'D have sought my cham
ber; but, ms assembled the stairs, heard hurried
step in the hall, aud eager voice excaim, "Where
is he y turned and beheld Emy. Where is
Walter :" she repeated franticav. | stood for II
moment and would have spoken,-but suddenly her
her eyes expanded with expression of horror and,
ut,ering piercing shrek, she fell less the
marble floor, | looked down upon my breast-il
was red with blood. Like the voice Of the accusing
angel that shrek rung upon my ear; rushed to
my chamber and locked myself in.
What happened during the remainder Of that
dreadful day, know not; have confused recol-
lection of noises aud lamentations, but can recall
nothing distinctly. The horrible scene of the morn
ing WAS burned into my brain III characters of fire,
aud nothing else could live in my memory. Ia The
solitude of my chamber, the dreadful appari,ion of
my murdered brother WIS still before me hs bright
eye was fixed on mine with that beautiful look of
hope which 1t wore at the moment when fortune de-
clared for HIM; then that look was changed for the
wild and appealing gaze which he threw me
when he found his deadly antagonist unscathed and
ready To launch the holt Of destruction INTO his hus
ON; anon II was altered to the agony of dea,h-hs
IqUverimg lip and palhd brow were agjun before me
his brukru accents were IA my eaTs--aud hs body
conyused with the throes of death, again in my
arms. My wearicd frame at length sank under the
agon,es of the spirit, aud slept; but still in my
dreams the same fearful shadows followed me, and
aw"kc III all the horrors of my guilt. DARK esS
had settled down upon the earth, aud the silence OF
death reigued Iu the house. felt vague kind oi
iongmg 10 gaze again upon my brothers body
aud, stealing quietly fom the roon sought the cham