Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-04-24
A. AUnlr Of lgDn~r.

those fellows rid the world OF eash other In their
own way. Enact what laws you please, organize
police rigid you may, the pabc opinion OF
fools and blacklegs is the only statute that does net
fall As dead letter when the wounded homer seeks
redress and that opinion ever will sustain and screen
from the laws infections the arm that is raised In
defence Of that which aene, with plenty OF segars
and wine, makes life boon worth asking.
few evenings since, one OF our fashionable hotels
the of an affair that painfully interest
ing and excrucatngIy sublime. The parties litsant
are well known on the pare and in the fashionable
saloons of the town. They have hitherto been
terms of the most cordial intimacy. Their names
but mattter-for nvenience we will call them
Drinkhard Swellhead and Penipo O'Steady. OF the
origin of the difficulty we cannot speak,
it did not publicly transpire. The spacious saloon
was thrcnged with the ssbloods" Of the town, dis
cussng the merits of troters, racers PAGERS, shoot
ing, fronting, politics, theatres, segars and brandy
The lights were brilliant-the segar smoke usual,
dense-the audience, or that portion of it that pre-
served scons seriousness, was happy and gay. On
sudden, sounds as OF rising tempest above the
hum Of voices, and soon the fury the storm arrest
ed the attention of the multitude. Gentlemen never
Proraet a war OF words. The tsmult ceased, but
twas the silence that precedes the cannon's loud
mouthed rear. challenge written by Swell
head and placed in the hands Of his friend, who, for
shortness, we will call Edwint LsveliQuor who
has reached the highest round in the ladder of fame.
He is brave a. Caesar, proud Lucifcr, and des-
perate as Iago. His reputation is as spotless as
new blown Lyle has the person Of Apollo and his
modesty-oh, hush,--thS virgin a week before
riage is not more Well, the hostile missiye was
conveyed to Sir Plenips, who prepared for it
He opened and perused the following communica-
tom
An affair of honor will take place tomorrow morning the
old duene ground Hoboken yoa requested
belligersnt at half aiter6, at the----Hotei
DRISKHARp SwELLHsAD.
Sir Plsaipo O'Steady
He Immediately referred Mr.. Loveliquor to Mr..
Wilson b. Bloody hand whom he had selected as his
friend with request that the arrangements be
summated at the earliest possible moment. The
suit Of their conference was the following memo
randum, signed by all the parties
We, the undersigned, will meet tomorrow mornin: the
duellisg ground at H9boken with P.to;-'es paee,he
given land not to fire before hair triggers not,
opPsosai 10 the parties
PLxMPo O'srEADr,
DRISKnARD SwKLLHEAp.
New York March 30
Wtness-Edwintsn Lovciqusr,
Wilson d. Bloodyhand.
After this arrange I'm ent was completed, the parties
drank together-then the seconds drank with their
principals-then with each ether-then principals
drank with their seconds then with each other and
finally each man with himself We would not have
the reader suspect for a moment that the trifling
bunders in the official documents, the result of
spiritual excitement, or any want OF nerve and firm
tho part Of the seconds or principals; II can
only be attributed to the extreme mental and phys
cal excitement natural in all where human life
They separated-O STEADY and his friend left toge-
Their, and each went TO his couch to sleep awhile
before the mortal combat-Swellhead and Loveliquor
turning to consult further and pledge again in 'resy
wine"-no, no-not wine-but matter, il was
something, and reddish-thcy finally concluded that
the surest way to meet their antagonists promptly at
ss sna thu. the PC o failure
Upon this, they drank again and deeply, which pro-
duced inclination for repose. and sweihead plant
ed himself fairly his chair and sunk into sleep as
profound as if the morrow was TO be event
full than the day Just passed! Loveliquor made his
way 10 an adjoining room. TO avail himself Of the
perior comforts OF q so(s
The morning dawned-the sun arose-but not so
Swehcad or his friend-hc retained his upright po-
stion, snoring right bosterousy and the barkesper
manifested no disposition 10 disturb his slulnbers.
Six o'clock came seven and eight, and still he slept,
and how long he would have continued to, (if unin
terrnpted) It Is impossible TO say. His antagonist
and his second had neither arrived, but his friend,
Loveliquor, suddenly rushed into the room in pale
afright!--approached SwelIhead and shook him
roughly, when 10, he awoke! He starcd-arose,
and with look Of wild despair exclaimed, ssthou
canst not say did it,'' He had dreamed Of murder.
Loveliquor led him away, for he too had dreamed
and oh! horror. such dream lie wished to relate
il, and swellhead, in listening, forgot his dream
and his duel also We will let Loveliquor tell his
own story Of the dream. 81 wandering alone
through beautiful grove the banks Of a gentle
stream; twas night-the quiet eve was sleeping in
innocence below, while here and there bright star
Peering from the watchtower on high-the waves
were gently stirred by the soft breeze, and slowed
like the flame OF friendship when Frightening into
love. My thoughts were ia unison with the air and
the scene. was dwelling upon the recollection of
one whose image 10 ever present TO my mind, and
whose love was more prec ious to my heart than all
the world beside; but she is gonc-aHd all that il
left TO me is remembrance. The scene changed;
l saw her As she in life, bright, beautiful,
and lovely-she beckoned me TO approach her
and rs was about To embrace her--to inhale the
sweet odour Of her lips, a voice cried out, hold!
touch not, forbear, on your peril the spotess inno-
cence OF that fair creature must not be prsfaned
by your unhey hand or polluted lips. know you
villain, and your former abuse Of that loyeest Of the
lovely, and you must not only withdraw from her
presence bat Won must Immediately foiio,c to
make atsnenent for your conduct; take your choice
OF these weapons pair Of pistos) you understand
me, sir, 60 follow me- With this he turned TO nv
loved and babe her 10 retreat and then sternly
left the spot, waving his hand 10 me. I know act
why or wherefore, but some how or other on this
occasion the real coward blood of Bob Acres got into
my veins, and trembled like an aspen. I never
felt before gene rally brave fault in eyery
emergency, but now followed him as IL he was nv
cxecutioner: we came 10 a lonely spot, all around
was silent" my strange companion measured eight
PAGES and very cody told me 10 take my stand and
fire when he gave the word "fre" after counting
three. know not what did, my eyes we're dim,
NY senses recled-but j thought OF her for whom |
was there and desperation assumed the place Of fear
At the sound pulled, bang and my antagonist fell
mortally shot In the neck, and fell too, from in
jures IN the knees; the explosion awoke me, and I
room. ! arose and made the best Of my way to the
barroom, where the first object that met my gaze was
my " lost lored one
st md who IL tbat,,, cried Sxellhesd