American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-27
From the New Orleans Delta.
THE AVERTED DUEL:


A we'll known advocate ofnon-resstanCe was
in conversation yesterday in St, Charles street
with an acquaintance. The subject was the
SubTreasury, Treasury notes, and the finan-
ces of the general government. While thus
engaged, a third party came up-one who joy
ously delighteth in a ioke-and in tone which
bespoke deep concern, winking, however, aside
to him who was in company with the non-re-
sistant, said-''Ths is bad business!'
''Bad busuess-whatsa bad business? the re-
fusal Of the New York banks 10 make loan to
Secretary Walker, ch?"
"No," was the reply of Joker, "but this du-
ell; and then the terms are so dcsperate-so
bloody"
"What duel-what duel7'' said Non Rests.
tant-"what terms'n
"Why there is Bill Brown who is going over
to Gretna to fight duel with John Smith
We say Brown and Smith because we do not
wish to give the real names of the parties who
were made the subject of the joke. The weap-
ons, understand are revolving pistols and
bowie knives. They are to stand at twenty
PAGES and advance firing, and -"
"What!" said the non-resstant, interrupting
him-"Brown going to fight duel! Why he
is my tenant-he owes me three months rent
he has most helpless family l shall 60 this
instant and make affidavit Of the fact before the
Recorder and have him arrested. 1.-The should
be killed, lose my rent, lose my tenant, and
have his family on me for burden into the
bargain. | shall have him arrested instantly"
OFF on-Resistant hustled, and Joker and
his friend had loud laugh at his expense,
when he got at such distance that he could
not hear them. Joker chuckled at the idea of
setting so good saw going, concluding that it
! 4 L. &C, 1a
was right: it ran a considerable distance.
Northeastern hurried before the Recorder,
made oath that he had tgood reason to be-
lieve," and all that, that "Bil Brown and John
Smith 1.-THE names are the only things fictitious
in the story] were about to fight duel contra
nv to the constitution and tho peace and digai-
ty of the State of Louisiana, and therefore, he
prayed for the arrest of both Of them, or at
least, of the one, Brown" A warrant was
drawn out and signed, and placed in the hands
of one or two police officers who were instruct.
cd where Brown was 10 be found, at his resi-
dence, and thither they went to execute it.
Now, it SO happened that when they reach
ed the domcl of Brown, who was actually a
bout to make business trip up to Natchez-
= he was slowing away few shirts and Other
"fixins" into his carpet bag.
"You are prisoner of the State,' said one
, of the officers, touching him on the shoulder.
/ "I'm what?" said Brown, turning round
and partially elevatng his body, and as he die
so, exposing revolver, which, sure enou IA, hi
! had been just placing between two shirts in hit
, carpet bag-for, although one ofthe most peace
ably disposed men in the world, he never ira
yelled without "Betsey," as he called the re-
vover.
~Seize him." said the police officer to his fell
low, "aad seize that pistol" The order wa!
t executed, and amidst the conjojnt and simuta
neous cries of Poor Browns wife and children
he was dragged off between two police officers
one Of them carrying the revolver as trophy
of the manner in which they executed theii
, duty.
"What is all this for?" said Brown, as soor
as he caught breath to utter word-"Wha
5 is-all this for? at whose instance am | arrest
ed?"
/ "Why, at the instance of --, to be sure,
l replied one of the police officers:
80, the hardened wretch!" said Brown, etc
have me dragged from the midst of my family
? to Jail for his petty three months rent, and
well able to pay him."
so, you are pretty Teller to speak that way
of your friend,'' said one of the police officers
: sthe's the most humanist man | ever seed.
3 thought he'd cried when he was swearing
| against you"
80, the hypocrite," said Brown, "if he hac
: waited till | came down the river should have
paid him my debt to the last cent"
$ 80, that's all very likely" said one of the
Y police officers, looking significantly at his com
rade; ''but as he thought that you might in the
: meantime pay the debt of nature. he had yol
: arrested"
S Il challenge the scoundrel," said Brown, in
: dignantly, "to say if he ever knew me to give
j him cause to suspect -"
S "Ah, there it is" said the policeman. "Yo,
d have already sent challenge, though you know
h it is,a violation of the Constitution to do so
= and as for suspecting you, think he had stron!
E grounds for his suspicion. Did not arrest vol