The native American., 1838-03-24
From The Baltimore Visitcr.
A D u e T..


bly, do anything else, can he Doctor!' said Mr..
Arthur McShoothim. BY all the laws of honor
he is individually bound to challenge him. said
the Doctor; and the manner in which the doctor
said it, put the matter at rest, and made it i'm
possible for Timothy Smithkins Of Smithkins-
vile, who was the third person spoken OF, to
advance anything further contrary to that opin-
ion; although it was with the absorbing interest
and suppressed tone of despair that would mark
the criminal perusng his death-warrant that Mr.
Timothy Smithkins exclaimed, 'Ill challenge
hint
Bravo, bravo calculated both his friends.
And it was agreed that Mr.. Arthur McShoothim
should be the bearer of the challenge to the Of
fender. The important document was penned,
and Arthur bent his steps with the cartel of NOR
tai defiance to the lodgings of the late friend of
his friend Smithkns, Mr.. Jack Noisy, leaving
the unlucky principal with the doctor, to await
the issue over their champaign. Poor Smith
kins hung upon the stenterhooks' of suspense,
and wondered hundred times if Jack Noisy
had courage enough to accept the challenge; what
weapons would he choose? what time-what
place would he appoint? would not hrs friendly
feelings preponderate, and Smithkins had just
eased his mind with that concet when footsteps
were heard approaching the door. Oh the ago
ny Of Timothy Smthkins was insupportable, and
the champaign which he had drunk began to bead
itsefin great drops Of perspiration on his pale
but burning brow.
The door topened and McShoothim entered
alone, in excellent spirits and with smile Of
immense qualification extended his hand to-Smith-
kins and congratulated him.
Smithkins laughed and felt the blood moving
through his veins again, which ought to be sufi-
cient to convince the most sceptica that they were
all alive. 'Ha, ha, ha, | thought he would fight,
said Smithkins.
%, but he will; he has accepted the challenge,
that's why | congratulated you, my boy; | was
afraid he would not. How often this contrast
between the feelings of the principal and seconds
exists. Smithskins, fortunately, laid hold of a
chair behind him and saved himself from falling,
as Arthur continued to inform them that as soon
Noisy had read the challenge he appointed time
and place.
AS, for weapons said Arthur, 'he wouldt
name has, but extended to you the privilege
fusng any kind you please; nay, you are to bring
a variety il you choose; lie will afford you the
most honorable satisfaction. Is not he an ad-
mirable fcllow?'
sY-e-e-s!' said Mr.. Smithkins. when is
ito be--to-to'-
YES, tomorrow morning at day-break, on the
commons at the west end of the village; there is
about twenty acres upon there, you know, and we
are to approach by Squire Jones' gate. shall
awake YOU at five; the Doctor will accompany
us to set a limb or patch hole if Noisy should
not kill you right off"
XII me = exclaimed Smithkns, why it
wont 60 so far as that, will it,
90, there is no telling now, you know; but
then the doctor wont do any thing for him if you
,gmake riddle of him. We will give you adieu
now, and be sure you are ready
The parties were. separating, when Arthur
called out to Smithkins to be sure not to forget to
make his will.
sOh DEAR said the prospective duelist, and
staggered home Staggered? yes, but not with
intoxcation That would be libel on Timo-
thy's character. What made him stagger then
If you was ever engaged to fight duel to-mor-
row morning you can guess. never was, and
can only say that Timothy staggered
1t is not ours to follow him to the chamber OF
his wonted repose, and gaze with plying eyes
upon the writings of that carcase of anticipated
worms meat, through the watchings of that awful
night. To be brief, Arthur, accompanied by the
doctor, was at Smithkns' door betmes, and after
numberess delays the trio set out for the battle
ground. Squire Jones' gate was passed, and
each tested the elasticity Of his neck IN their
eager efforts to ascertain if the other party was
on the ground Something far in the distance,
having CHe duVdHIdSC VI ollSle ClCFa1ioIi, was
discerned, but in the misty grey of morn the
evidence Of the eye was unsatisfactory. In q
minute, however, the stentorian lungs of Jack
Noisy pealed out along the commons the start
ling interrogatory, Halo there, who are ye!
Speak, or fre!'
Answer him Smithskins, tell him who we
are!'
It's us, Jack said Smithkins, 'we are friends
YOU know, don't ire! but you could not have
heard the voice of Mr.. Smithkins at twenty pa
ces.
sI'll speak said McShoothim. Mr.. Noisy,
Won will learn, sir, that we Mr.. Timothy
Smithkins, Mr.. Arthur McShoothim and Eoctor
Lotion. all Of Smithknsville, in quest Of that
satisfaction at your hands which is due to the in
iured honor of gentleman
The reply to this precise statement was most
uneuuiyocal. for it came in the shape OF ayolume
of fire and smoke, and report that made every
Granny in all Smithkinsville echo again. 1t came
from the black muzzle of a six-pounder, whose
voice was so well known throughout the village
that the inhabitants raised their night-cappteo
heads, rubbed their eyes and hurra'd Tor lnde,
pendoncc,' thinking that the 4th OF July had