The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-05-07


inmate. Before The ,yran, recovered from
the stunned aud bewldered trance into
which the blow, combined with the shame,
pain, asionishment and Drunkenness had
thrown him, several vcices, after the OBJ
sreperous calls for silence, usual on such
occasions, addressed the youth, who stood
coal and erect, with folded arms wa,iag
the course Of events
Brave Arnold--aoble Amelia gallan,
deed! the blood Of a true gentleman in his
veiu.'
'nu! cans, thou fghtl cried one
u am a simple sluden! and an artist by
professional have devoted myself 10 the
pencil, not The sword.
But thou cans. use il little, can $. no,l'
asked another.
But iadifferenlly, answered the youth
And how art thou with the pistoll' de-
manded ,aird.
MY hand is upractsed,' replied Arnold
| have no skill in shedding human blood.'
Fore CAD, then, ras!f.soy, wla. has
tempted ,hse TO this fatal exiremi,yl'
Hatred Of OPPRESSION replied the youth
in all its fermsi and willingness 10 dlsfaiher
than submit to INSULT
'Die--die then ,hou shall,and ere to.nor
row 8 sun shall sc,,' Numbered Mcnlz, start:
ing up in frenzy, and with a hoarse and
broken voice that made the hearts of the
hearers shudder as if il were the howl of q
dog or demon. 4 challenge thee 10 NOR
tal combat
And accept the chall engc.'
III is for thee to name time, place, asd
weapon; but, as thou lowest me, let il not
be longer shan Tomorrow nigat, or shall
burst with rage and impalence''
i love thee not, base dog replied Ar
mold, but thou shal; not die 80 nglorious
death. Will fight thee. therefore, 10.
night.
'By the mother of heaven, boy cried
Menlz, more surprized, "thou art in haste
TO sup in hell;' and the rutiian lowered his
voice, 'ari thou mad!'
'Be lha, my chance answered Arnold.
i shall not be likely TO meet, even in hell
companion so brutal as thou, uness,
which mean shall be the case, thou bear
me company
'l'o.ngh! then be it, said Mentz
though tonight my hand is not steady
for wine and anger are no friend to the
nerves.
'Dost ihou refuse me. ihen'' demanded
The youth with a sneeI.
BY the mass, no; but tonight is darl
the moon is down, ,he stars are clouded
and the wind goes BY in heavy pufTs ant
gusts. Hear it even now!'
Therefore, said the youth apparently
more ccldly as his heree rival grew more
perccpi,bly agilated-'lherofor will we lag
down our lives here, ia this hall, on thi
spot, on this instant, even as .hou standes
now
.There Is no one hsfe who will be nj,
friend said Men,z, go evidently soberc
and subdued by the singular com posure AM
seli-possession of his antagonist, that a
present held him in contempt and no on
stirred
NO matter cried Arnold; y will myse
foreso the same privilege
sAnd yeur weaponT said Menlr,
Are here cried Arnold, drawing thel
from his bosom "A snrer pair never drs'
! blood. The choice is yours
The company now began to fancy ,h'
Arnold had equivocated in disclaming h
skill as a duellis,. and from his invincib
: eonposure though. him more fatal mas!'
of the weapon than tho bully himsei
Q The latter himself also parlook Of ih
: opinion.
n Young man. he cried in voice cloude
a and broken but stopped and said no farthe
9 Your choics, exclaimed Arnold, pr
}, sen,ing the pistol. Menlz seized one desP
9 reiely and ssid;'Now, name yeur distance
9 Blood thirsty WOLF said Arnold, 'lhe
/, shall be no distance