Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-11-16


nor in fact to possess the horrible Accomplishments
ofthc colonel lie was quiet unassumng Cit.
zen, with no further title to the character Of duel
is, than may attach TO the majority OF his fellow
men in those fighting regions.
The inn or lqour store where the scene took
place, stood by the forest, although an extensive
patch Of roughly cleared land surrounded it, and
the nigh, Of its occurrence having saddenly prov
ed very rainy and dark, many OF those who had
previously assembled there were d,,aincdl beyond
their time. while occasional wsylarers, to avoid
the storm, added TO their numbers. Among these
latter weret two individuals. one Of whom before
his entrance was overheard by some in the en-
trance 10 say TO his companion, with fearful oath
peculiar TO certain people in the South.
By Major, I'll mise fight tonight be-
fore goW
No, no, colonel replied the other, stopn mo.
rneni, is there any man here you have difficulty
with
NO. no, tina, know OF, but what does tina, mat
teri
Then why go into bar for the sake Of pick
| ing quarrel with a stranger, either TO kill him
or TO get killed yourselfP
Kill mel ha ha major, don't grind coffee
on my nose you coudn', do it YOURSELF Let
any man try, and the way III use him up shall
be caution, now tell you
And so saying the colonel strobe in, and made
his way towards the bar, where he ordered bran
dy and while drinking it he cast his eyes around
upon a respectable body of men there assembled
body commonly called, according to this kind
of classic American, "a tallish kind Of a crowd"
His general insolence of demeanor soon attract.
ed attention. but for while he failed 10 fix upon
any particular individual as his intended victim.
Meantime, his friend the maior-probably an
other such major as he himself colonel-was
observed to address him earnestly, but IN low
tone Of voice thoprh seemingly with the intention
Of keeping him quiet These efforts allcd and
with more brandy came more determination E.
ventuallv, his eye fell upon two persons the
young man who was to be slaughtered, TO whom
alusion had already been made, and the other an
! aged an--.perhaps his father They were en-
, gagged in close private conversation, the younger
, of the two beng then the speaker The colonel
: seemed to listen al,cntvely, and having drawn
I somewhat nearer, very soon exclaimed aloud,
at is not the case !"
:. MANY turned their heads towards the speaker
with slight expression of surprise, and being un
conscious who he was addressing. His friend
u who now stood aoof, bu, kept his eyes upon hin
e now beconed him back, but in vain, while the IN
+ dvIual really most interested in this commence
I ment of the attack, was too absorbed IN his owl
n discourse TO hear or remark the exclamation a
10 all
n BY and by the colonel again spoke, but in
i louder key.
re On this occasion the young man almost involun
in ,arily looking up, and his eyes met those OF tn
o. colonel for towards him many were directed
But he seemed not vet to comprehend that has cor
versa,ion with his aged friend was alluded to.
was therefore Immediately aferward continued.
OF By this time scarcely another voice in the roor
ut was heard to the result and curioslt
r. concerning this unreasonable conduct having pre-
duced considerable silence.
!. For the third time the colonel exclaimed
Il saw it's a lie = and at the same instant ixin
his eyes, VITA an expression of perfect ierociy,
his predetermined antagonist. Many others ais
A, looked IN the same direction. The young ma
could no longer remain deceived He mildly bl
m deermnedly asked.
ip. is that addressed 10 me y
~ 1T isl roared the colonel. Il say again IFS a
he lie =
,d A steady look of contempt was the only answ'
ay he received and that he gave II resumed his d'
hi. course as before
all Several now shrunk back, confident that fig
as would ensue and anxious to keep out OF the wa
I'm Some minutes elapsed ere the intending murder
lly o7ened his lips, for the fourth time, and then
rc) was to dcpounce his victim as himself liar az
nd coward 4 The latter thereupon deiberal
Of rose from his seat and advancing with the utmc
10. apnorant composure towards his antagonist, (wl
in prohably had no idea ef such salniaIlon iro
ads such a mani struck him boldly in The face WI
H. his FIST. and Instantly fell back to stand upon }
DIS defence with the knife.
me The colonel rushed forward like tiger b
us his friend the r.ajor inerferod TO prevent tho y
Of mediate efTusion OF blood This being eff cted
ion challenge was Immediately given by the colon
ave and accepted, and the morrow morning was pi
posed as the period for the meeting. To the 81
4 nr;sa however. Of some Of the by-standefs !
nc chnlenpcd party insisted on an immediate dec's'
nor and ina, the combat should only terminate VI
liar life sao kill or to be killed sad he, SIS now
i'm. only alternative. the sooner the one or the other
lels done the butcr-
re- On hearing this the colonel also instoniy
his m,nded an ins,ataneous seaemen, OF The affairs
as his friends had no right to prevent IT, AMI swc
old ,b, II ne did not conclude his business at the u
lose sbo, he woud consent TO stand as target the or
be following two times. Both parties were oil col"
for hy this periol highly excited Different prop
ead lions were loudly voclfera,ed BY as many d'il
ing On, narties presen, until more ihan one case
The difficulty OF this kind appeared i'kriy 10 oe OF
yith % lie sum Of total before the morning sun
one was suggested lbat they should 20 90, on 10
10Y. clearing, having two blazing fires made o. pr
one rer distance the conha,ienis 10 be placed bt"'
eiye Them. 50 iha, they could see each other rom
l. -