The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-10
ron THE MADIsoNIAN.
ORIGINAL TALE.
(Conclud


ORIGINAL TALE
(Concuded)
opinion. Few things in this SO surprising world,
strike me with more surprise. Two little visual
spectra of men, lowering with insecure enough CO.
heson in the midst of the OBJECTIONABLE, and 10 dis
solve therein, at any rate very soon-make pause al
the distance Of twelve PAGES asunder, whirl round
and simultaneously by the cunningest mechanism,
explode one another into dissolution; and of-hand
become air and non-extan Deuce on ii the little
spitfres Nay, think, with old Hugo Won Trim
berg: "God must needs laugh outright could such
thing be, to see his wondrous mannikins here be-
low"
But, said Josephine, before left, northern edu-
cation and climate give me right to object to some
of the more southern tastes and institutions among
which you will not be surprised when include the
odious practice of 'duellng; and if, in dong SO,
allege most powerful reasons for my own opinion
First, then, consider it cowardly, however fashion
able it has become it is mean as II is irreigious.
it retires from the inner court those duties which
10 ourselves and society, and refers them to
the more noisy decision of clamorous multitude
Secondly-t is relic of barbarism and the fashion
of coolly calculating upon the policy OF fighting, TO
settle point of honor and concluding that that
recklessness of life, and foo-hardiness, which some
call bravery, is more noble than TO live and brave
the reproach of few worldlings, belongs TO an age
distinguished for dreadful rapacity Thirdly-fon
are northern man, and have determined upon
northern home, and if your virtue ever become the
slave of opinion let it be that opinion where free
expression is on the side of good order and religious
motives; how much does it become you, as sup
parter of those institutions which have given you all
that man holds dear, honor-unstained honor-to
'frown upon the practice. But be guided by your
own judgment and by the noisy forum of no multi
tude for whatever eclat it may give you in the heat
OF battle, in that hour which tries mems souls you
will find its support weaker than the cords with
which Samson was bound. The language of in
vecve carefully guard against, and do not foolishy
imagine your honor concerned when kind word of
explanation may heal an undue alteration. Lastly
1t is in direct violation Of every command of scrip
ture, and trampling under foot the example OF our
Saviour. How much more noble, just and worthy,
to concede something's or in the language of emf
nent Divine, how much more honorable TO be tried
and accused here than judged and condemned here
after have not been thus explicit from fear that you
will be drawn into any such practice not certainly,
from any undue warmth or strong passions, but the
coolest heads are liable to error, and with my strong
antipathy to such practice and your uncles prema-
the change Of scene and climate, deemed it proper
TO say thus much. If then, you should ever have
any cause of quarrel, let not arrogate too much,
when add, that your plighted faith must be most
weighty consideration, for duel is the only fate,
"Save the finger Of God above,
That can loose sic bands, or part sic luve."
Having listened to the eloquence OF her appeal
and carefully observed with what fortude she pre-
pared herself to bid me adieu, and promising speedi
ly to inform her OF my arrival at the port OF desna
tion, we parted-having by her parting benediction
God bless you, commended me to the kind care of
Heaven. travelled as rapidly SOUTH stages, bad
roads, and all the Inconvenience with which ira
yelling in the southern country Is attended would
permit; always thoughtful 10 remind Josephine at
every post of my safety by some newspaper or pamph-
let when time did not allow ne to pen an epise.-
Arrived south, found, she anticipated, that my
unce's irregular habits had left his affairs in very
unsettled state and that some time wouldbe required
to attend to Them if they could everbe advantageous
ly arranged. pass over the first year OF my south
ern life, only adding that spent it in constant cor
rcspondence with your aunt and without contracting
a single habit which could disgrace humanity. AT
the commencement of the second year she lost her
father, an aged man, whose extreme i'll health had,
for years. enfeebed his body, and at last sadly i'm
paired his mind Her letters at this period are full
of moral philosophy and cloquence, with no pressing
can't with no horror of that dark home. But the deep
we'll of her feelings was stirred within her, asympa-
theic cord was struck which vibrated clearly and
distinctly, and while she thought life prepa-
ratory scene for eternity the long narrow hall where
confines are bordered by that labyrinth, into which,
so much, that she held dear, had entered. She imi
tated their bright example, and in the language of
our beautiful poet,
$50 lived, that when her summons came to join
The nnumerable caravan, that moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls OF DEATH
She went no, like the quarry slave at night
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
BY an unfatering trust, approached her grave
Like one who wraps the drapery Of his couch
About him, and lies him down TO pleasant dreams"
1t was only short period Of time before she was
to bid adeu to her brother and your father and enter
this family mansion, in which you were child, and
remain the solace of your deeply bereaved mother
and sisters and in less than year TO consgn to the
embrace of death both mother and sisters. Rarely
has woman been called to more mournful discharge