The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-30
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
THE CODE OF HONOR.

Two young men, one with a black
leather cap on his head, and military
buttons on his coat, sat in close con-
versatiDn about six months ago, in the
bar-room ofthe - hotel. The SUBJ
ject that occupied their attention SEEM
ed to be an exciting one, at least to him
of the military buttons and black cap,
for he emf phasized strongly, knit his
brows awfully, and at last went SO far
as to swear a terrible oath.
"pon't permit yourself to become ex-
cited, Tom," interposed the friend. sit
won't he p the matter at all"
"But I've got no patience"
s'Then it is time you had some,' cool
ly returned the friend. :'lf you intend
pushing your way into the good graces
of my lady Mary Clinton, you must do
something more than fume and swear
about the little matter Of rivalry that
has sprung up.'
"Yes; but to think of a poor milk-sop
of an author-author!--pah! scribb'er!
to think, say, Of q spiritless crea-
ture like Blake thrusting himself in be-
tween me and such girl as Mary Gin
ton; and worse, gaining her notice, is
too bad! He has sonneteered her eye
brows, no doubt-hattered in verse, un-
til she doesn't know who or where she
is--and in this way become iormida-
bic rival. But ! won't bear it. PHI
Ill-"
"What will you do?"
"Do? Damme! l'll-l'll wing him!
That's what I'll do. I'll challenge the
puppy, and shoot him.
And the young Lieutenant, for such
io was, fourished his right arm al a dn-
clio, end looked pistol balls and death.
.!But he won't fight; Tom"
"Won't he?' And the Lieutenant's
face frightened. "Then I'll post him
for coward! That'll finish him. All
womsn hate towards. I'll post him
yes, and cowskin him into the bargain,
if necessary"
"Posting will do half sarcastica'ly
replied the friend. "But on what pre-
tencc will you challenge himF'
"l'll make one. I'll insult him the
first time meet him, and then, if he say
any thing, challenge and shoot him."
''That would be quite gentemanIy--
quite according to the code Of honor"
returned the friend quietly.
The young military gentleman we
have introduced was named Redmond.
The reader has already penetrated his
character. In person he was quite
good looSing, though not the Adonls
he deemed himself. Ilehad fallen deep
iy in love with the "acres of charms"
possessed by certain Miss Mary Gin
ton, and was making rapid lnroads up
on her heart--at least he thought So
when young man, well known in the
literary circles, made his appearance,
and was received with degree of ia
vor that confounded the officer, who
had already begun to think himself sure
of his prize. Blake had amuch reader
tongue, and a good deal more in his
head, than the other, and could, there
fore, in matter OF mind at least, ap-
pear to much better advantage than his
rival. He had also written and pub
liShed 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 ofby mere civilian. The III
val must be gotten of in some way.
The professional means was, as has
been seen, thought first. Blake must
be challenged and killed off; and then
the course would be clear.
A few days after this brave and hon