The Washingtonian., 1845-09-13
s p,
THE OFFICER AND THE DUELLIST
OR, THE INSULT.

/
OR, THE INSULT
gentleman who held the patent for his honor, mme-
diatey from Almighty God.-BuRNs
"Gentemen, what think you of the course
adopted by c. in this matter: don't you
think he should call him out! BY Heavens
| would have challenged him upon the spot. "
"Shame! Shame!" was uttered by many
voices, excited by the subject and wine before
them.
"What say you, Morton?"
"Gentlemen," replied the officer addressed,
rising, while the hot blood mounted TO his
very temples, 81 know no shame. The course
which pursued was the only one left to my
election, consistent with those principles which
have ever governed my conduct, and which /
have inherited from my fathers; and should
indeed prove an unworthy descendant of an
honorable race should be the first to err. |
shall not call him out"
"Bravo! bravo fill up gentlemen. pro-
pose toast" said Captain S ironically;
and rising
"Here's to the honor of the regiment and
! country and confusion to the officer bearing
commission who refuses to uphold either"
"Iappreciate your toast, Captain s. and
can even bear that and more, and yet refrain
from calling you out, for the pleasure of shoot
ing you at ten paces," said Norton, calmly.
The captain made no reply, other than
look Of contempt.
The occasion Of the meeting, and apparent
dissatisfaction of the mess, was an insult which
one of their number had received the night
previous from citizen at ball; and which
the officer would not or could not, notice fur
ther at the time, than to inquire of bystander
the address of the offender.
The insulted officer, with whom his COM
rades were thus incensed, was young gen.
tleman Of fine talents, who graduated at West
Point Academy, with all the houors, and, un-
til this occurrence of the insult, had been es-
teemed among his brothers Of his profession,
as one of the most promising young officers in
the army.
He was descended from one of those good
old New England families, who have ever
been proverbial for their elevated moral bear
ing, and who can perceive no difference Of
moral turpitude between the murderer who
slabs or shoots his victim down in the street,
and the duelist, who shoots down his victim
according to the most refined prescriptions of
, the rules of honor.
As Norton C. did not demand satisfac.
ton for the insult at the time it occurred, and
refused to seek it after the popular mode, his
brother officers attributed his conduct to pusil-
animity; but they were to know him better.
He resolved at all hazards to avoid duel,
yet was equally determined to obtain full and
ample satisfaction of the offender; and at
length adopted an expedient, which he doubt
ed not would correct the erroneous impressions
of his comrades, and at the same time afford
himself the honorable satisfaction desired,
without imbruing his hands in the blood of
his fellow being.
Tattoo was past, the "taps" had been given,
and all was quiet in and around the fort. A
person was seen to leave the officers quarters,
muffled in a cloak, and proceeded silently in
the direction of the town. A sentinel halls,
"who comes there!" and is answered, "officer,
with the countersign;" the sentinel commands,
"advance officer with the countersign, and
give it )" which proving to be correct, the SEN
tinel replies, "right, pass" and the officer
went on his way.
He stops at the door of the principal hotel
in the town, and for a moment hesitates about
entering; presently he rings for admission
the door opens-he has gone in.
"Ah Mr.. C., your humble servant; to
what am indebted for the honor of your fair
company, particularly at this late hour? After
what transpired last evening, l expected to
have seen your friend before this What is
your business here Sire"
"Sir," replied Lieut.. C., "this affair
does not require the interference of third
person; I am here to exact prompt and imme-
diate satisfaction for the unprovoked assault
perpetrated by you upon myself last night.
You expected challenge from me, that you
might have the diabolical pleasure Of shooting
me; but you have mistaken your man, sir.
An ample written apology is the only thing
that will satisfy me, or that will accept; and
if do not obtain it by milder measures, will