Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-09-06
NISCELL y Z 0 [ s.
From the Saturday Courier.
THE CODE or HONOR.

:
IN close conversation about six months ago, IN thf
bar room Of the hotel. The subject tina
occupied their attention seemed to DO an exciting
one at least to him of the military buttons anc
| black cap, for he emphasized strongly, knit hi:
brows awfuly,a and at Inst went SO far as to sWeal
terrible oath.
| Don't permit yourself to get excited, Tom,
intcrposed the friend. 1t won't help the matter
at ALL
But I've got no PATIENCE
Then its titne you had some, coolIy returned
tho friend. If you intend pushing your way m
to the good graccs Of my lady Mary Clinton, you
must do something than fume and swear
about the little matter Of rivalry that has sprung
up
Yes; but to think Of poor miIk-sop Of an
author-author.-pa scrlber.-to think, say
Of spiritlcss creature like Blake thrusting him
self in between and such girl as Mary Chm
ton md worse, gaining her notice is too bad!-
He has sonnetoered her eyebrows no doubt
fat,ered her in until she does mt know who
or where she is--and in this way become for
mdable rival. But wont bear it. iN-l'll-'
DO! Danme! I-I'll wing him That's
what III do. III challenge the puppy, and shoot
him!'
And tho young Lieutenant, for such he was
nourished his right arm, al duolIo, and looked
pistol balls and death
But he wont fight, Tom.
W on I he F! Ana Inc LlGut8nttilt luce
Frightened. Then I'll post him for coward
Thatll finish him. All women hate cowards.-
I'll post him-ycs aud cowskin him into the bar
gain, if necessary
Posting will do half sarcastcly replied the
friend. But on what pretence will you cllal-
lcnge him ?!
IN make one Ill insult him the first time |
meet him, and thcn, if no says any thing. chal-
Iongc and shoot him.
That would DO quite 5entlemanly -quite nc
corlng to the code Of honor, returned the friend
quietly.
The young military gentleman wo have intro
duced was named Redmond. The reader has al
ready penetrated his character. In person lac
was quite GOOD looking though not the Adonis he
deemed himself. He had fallen deeply in love
with tho acres of charms possessed by certain
Miss Mary Clinton, and making rapid IN
roads upon her heart-at least he thought So
when Young man, well known III the literary
circles made his appearance, and was received
with dcgrce Of favor that confoundcd tho officer
who had already begun to think hirlsalf sure OF
his prize. Blake had much reader tongue, and
a good deal more in his head. than the other. and
could. therefore. IN tho matter of mind at least
appear to much better advantage than his rival.
lie had also written and published one or two pop
uar books. This gave him standing au-
thor. Take him all in all, he q rival TO DC
feared, and Redmond was not long III making the
discovery. What was to be done A military
man must not be beaten off by mere civilian
The rival must be gotten off III some way. The
professional means was. as has been seen, thought
of first Blake must be challenged and killed
off: and then the course would be clear.
A few days after this brave and honorable de-
termination. tho officer met the author III pub
lie place. and purposeIy iostlcd him rudoly.-
Blake said nothing, thinking it possible that 1t
might only have been an accident But he
manned Redmond. TO give him chance to
repeat tho insult, if such had been his intention.
1t was not long before the author again JOS
tied III still ruder manner than before. at the
same time that sonlo offensive word muttcred
BY the officer. This was in tho presence cf
number of persons, who could not help hearing,
seeing. and understa ndng all. Satisfied that an
insult intended. Blake looked him in the face
for i moment, and then asked. loud enough to be
hca rd all around
Did YOU ios.ly me intcntionallv?'
: | didr was tho angry rctort.
.Gen,lemon mover do such things
As Blake said this, with marked emphasis
he looked steadily in the officers face.
You'll hear from mo. sir
And as the officer said this. menacinglv he
turned and walked away with quite military mir.
There's trouble for YOU now. Blake. He'll
challenge you! said two three friends who IN
stantly gathered around him.
Do Won think SO ,
Certainly. Hos an officer. Fighting is his
trade
We'll. let him.
.What'll YOU DO ?
Accept his challenge, of course
And fight him 2
.Certainlv.
He'll shoot YOU
I'm not afraid.
Blake retured with friend to his lodgings.
where he found billet already from Redmond,
who was all eagerness TO wing his rival
On tho next morning, two friends of the bellig-
erents were closotcd for the purpose Of arrange
ing the preliminaries of the fight.
The weapon ? asked the friend of the mill
tary man. Your principal, by the laws of hon
or, has the choice; as also. the right to namo
time. place. etc.
Yes. understand. All that is settled
lie will fight, then 2?