Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-12-14

school IelIows--cIass mafes--compan-
ions In the same sporfs-and fond and as
intimate as boys can be-O, those days
oil Iov and disinierested kindnessl Gone
-gone--forever gone.-WeiI sir.--our
destinations in life were different, but
our intimacy continued. Edward went
into mercantile life, and |. TO The studies
of a profession He was high spirited.
and rather irascible; but gene rous. no.
Bile hearted fellow. Our affection was
ardent. and believe ma. ural IN
paused, and then went on. Fl. callei
on me one morning. and told me he had
an excellent Offer to go 10 America. a
an agent for very respectable house /;
aud. 1T ] would accompany him, he would
accept oft. had frequently expressed
a desire of visiting america. and we both
thought the opportunity a COOL one
We babe adieu TO our relatives and
friends, and set sail; we shared the same
bed; we nursed each other ;--poor Ned
was uuconmonly sea sick: we were as
brothers "-His voice ire n,bled and the re
was convulsive motion of his lip -
"bui ! must gel over this" H.. drew
his chair closer towards The fire. 81 will
get on with my story with mpre firmness
lin almost ashamed Of myself s..
We arrived smelly in Blltimore, the
place of our destination; and like most
other Young mn in the beyday Of life,
mingled occasionally in scenes Of disSip-
alton. Edward had often spoken Of his
skill in difficult and soIn-w hat antigua
ted game of cards, aud | thought with
some hing Of boaSiing and citation |
knew nothing Of the game. but for the
purpose of tormentIng him n little for
his vanity, and from love Of mischief,
] resolved 10 apply myself secretly 10 l.,
and obtained pretty good insight into
the game without his knowing any thing
OF the matter; one evening We were Sit
ting toge her with some ac1uainrances
we had picked up. and TO Edwards sur
prise, .iefied him 10 his layorite game
at cards
'.Edward,'' said I, "you are always
boas,ing Of your skill know but little
about the G me, yet lay you wage
III beat you
Edward smiled with conscious superi.
ority AT my bsndiage. and produced the
cards. We yed-Edward was skilfuI.
exerted myself 10 The very utmost. and
Succeeded. Edward was surprised and
chagrined. did not bear INV victory
meekly; bat on the contrary, openly
exulted, and gave free scope To- my ban
tcring humor. Edward demanded an
o her gam he again lost. He became
flushed, and drank several glasses OF
wine. III still persisted in The contest I;
cursed his cards. and was still unsuccesS-
inl. | was too deeply occupied III the
game To observe hiscounfenance and in
my IN ,rrlment at an uncommon turn Of
good luck. let out an unfortunate witt
cIsm--it was the DROP in the full cup. Ell
ward rose in pasSion--da>hed his cards
from him-struck his clenched hand up
an the Ia bie--and with his eyes flashing
fire, accused me of dealing unfairly. |
was aS'onished; and replied in what
thought a concliating tone. But il was
only adding fuel To the fame. lie re-
pcated his charges with vehement rapid
ify; and my temper began 10 rise. |
told him that he behaved like n child
that he was heated with wine-and that,
in the morning. when he had slept off the
effects Of il. he wonId be ashamed of hrs
present conduct. He rushed across the
table, almost overturning it. and aimed
blow at nv face. received il on nv
arm. The gentlemen present rose. and
insisted on his leaving the room. He dId
so, breathing thu eatS of vengeance against
me. As | expected. challenge was
handed me that night; and. must con-
Tess, that felt SO indignant at his behav--
Tor. that received it without reluctance
arranged nv papers disposed of the
little property had. and wrote letter
10 nv parents If the duel took place.
considered the chances against me
and endeavored to prepare my mind
Tor a "a al result ! had no expe rience
with the pistol; having only fired few
times in my life, at a mark, in sport.
requested friend TO act as nv second.
and appeared on the ground little be-
fore the appointed time. Edward was
not vet there. He shortly arrived. ac-
companied bv Il second. When beheld
NV old school fellow-the friend of nv
youth-and cons dercd the purpose of
OF our meeting, felt Pang a, my heart :;
and | believe the tears were in my eyes
when went up TO him.
Edward" said |, .'has il come to this
must we fighi-we. who have known
each other so Iung--Ioved each o'her so
dsartN-anu Tor Sucn q ctu~t. Is lHeFt
no wav of settling this unhappy differ
enre?''
Edwards countenance was fixed and
unreleniing.
Sir said he, coldly, "lf you choose
10 apologize for your unhandsome con-
duct last evening. | may receive your
apology. and let the business go no fur
ther.n
felt provoked, but kept down the an
gry reply that rose TO my lips.
Edward said I, ..you have grossly
insulted me-sfruck me-if YOU will ask
pardon for that outrage, | will willingly
apologize for any provocation may
have given you.
lie interrupted me.
s.The blow was deserved, sir; by your
insoIent sneering AMI mean conduct |
will not apologize for that
AEdward," said /, .You wrong me-
You encrnach too far-by Heaven! too
far-the crushed worm will turn. And
vet | eannot-I cannot make up my mind