The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-11-08
From the Philadelphia Courier.
The Code Of Honor.

Two young men, one with black
leather cap on his head, and military but
, tons on his coat, sat in alose conversation
, about six months ago, in the bar-room of
the - hotel. The subject that occu-
pied their attention seemed 10 be an excl.
ting one, at least to him of the military
buttons and black cap, for he emphasized
strongly, knit his brows awfuIiy, and at
last went so far as TO swear terrible
oath.
Don't permit yourself to be excited.
Tom, interposed his friend; i. wont help
the matter at all
But I've got no patience
Then it is time Won had some, return
ed his friend If you intend to push
yourself into the good graces Of my lady
Mary Clinton, you must DO something
more than fume and swear about the lit
tie matter Of rivalry that has sprung up
'Yes but TO think of poor miIksop
or an authorization !-pah scribb!er
10 think, | say, of a spirilIess creature
like Blake thrusling himself in between
me and such girl as Mary Clinton; and
worse, gaining her notice. is too bad.
He has sOnneuecred her eye brows, no
! doubt--ilalered her in verse, until she
doesn't know who or what she is-and,
in this way, become formidable rival.
But won't bear it. Ill--l'll-'
NV hat will VIM do q
DO! De Ill-I'll wing him
That's what I'll do. I'll challenge the
puppy, and shoot him =
And the young lieutenant for such he
was, hourished his right arm Ia dueHo,
and looked pistol balls and death.
But he won't fight, Tom
wont he 2 and the lieutenant's face
frightened. Then I'll post him for a
coward That'll finish him. All wo.
men hate towards. I'll post him--yes,
and cowskin him into the bargain, if ne
cessary.'
Posting will do half sarcastically re-
piled the friend. But on what pretence
will you challenge him 2
I'll make one. I'll insult him the first
time l meet him, and then, if he says
any thing, challenge and shot him
'Tha! would be quite gentlemanly-
quite according to the code of honor, re-
turned the friend quietly.
The young military gentleman we have
introduced was named Redmond. The
reader has already penetrated his charac-
ter. In person he was quite good look
ing, though not the Adonis he deemed
himself He had fallen deeply in love
with the 'acres of charms possessed by a
certain Miss Mary Clinton, and was ma
king rapid inroads upon her hearl--at least
he thought so--when young man well
known in the literary world made his APP
pearance, and was received with degree
Of favor that COMPOUNDED the officer, who
had already begun to think himself secure
Of his prize. Blake had a much reader
tongue, and good deal more in his head
than the other, and could, therefore, in
the matter of mind, at least, appear to
much better advantage than his rival. He
had also written and published one or two
popular books. This gave him standing
as an author. Take him all in all, he
was rival to be feared and Redmond
was not long in making the discovery.
What was TO be done A military man
must not be beaten by mere civilian
The rival must be gotten off in some way,
The professional means was, as we have
seen, thought Of at first. Blake must be
challenged and killed off; and then the
course would be clear
A few days after this brave and honor
able determination, the officer met the
author in a public place. and purposcly
josded him rudely, Blake said nothing,
thinking it possible that it might have
been only an accident. But he remained
near Redmond to give him chance to re-
peat the insult, if such had been the in
ten,ion. 1t was not long before the author
was again lostled in still ruder manner
than before at the same time some often
sive word was muttered by the officer.
This was in the presence of number of
persons, who could not help hearing, see
ing, and understanding all Satisfied that
an insult was intended, Blake looked him
| in the face for moment, and then asked,
loud enough to be heard all round
Did you joslle me Intentionally
Il did was the angry retort.
Gentlemen never do such things.
AS Blake said this, with marked en-
phasis, he looked steadily in the officers
face