Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-03-10


Silently tho landlord executed tho order
Wright pulled some documents from his pocket,
and, without noticing any one, commenced read
ing. In a few minutes tho jewellers recovered
their equilibrium and called for more liquor.
"As this weather would delight an iceiander,
but is rather out Of place hero. suppose we mike
O night Of i,!' bawed ono Of Saunders toadies
"Agreed!" shouted tho voice unanimous.
Gay! we can go to bed hero when we arc
tired Of each others company, remarked oaun-
doris.
81 wish there peticoass about responded
q burIy rouo tho right OF tho table.
.sNow 10 sling this misanthrope fool IN tho cor
ncr yonder," whispered Saunders. fIo contln-
ued in q loud tonc,-" Women! Pshaw y
There is but ono woman in this ,iiInge worth
thought"
"Who is shot" chorussed tho tacchanals.
"Mary Buridon."
'Sho's invune abIc." said one. "She has
no heart! Sho is utterly bcreft Of soul and SEN
tment."
Wrgh,'s face blanchcJ white the paper
in his hands, bu. ho said nothing.
"No soul! No sen,iment!'' exclaimed Snun-
dcrs. "Thcre YOU are mistaken. No, many
hours since met her her fathers house.
and had quite OH interesting te,c q tetc, as her
Frenchman Of parent would say. Before
loft her she honored mo with a kiss"
"a kiss!" was the general in.crrogntory shout.
"He's romoncing," said the bury Touc: ICON
believe a word Of it,"
ION my soul and honor speak the truth, re-
sponded Saunders, cmphatlcnlly.
"Perjured viliain," calculated deep but trem-
ulous voice.
"Who spokc'" fiercely demanded Saunders.
81 did," snid Wright, calmly advancing TO Me
centre Of tho apartment
"Did you apply those words to mc'' inquired
Saunders.
IL did,
"Then YOU are q scoundre and a coward, and
l will have your hearts blood"
Everybody rose, sobered, from the table. md
gathered around Saunders. Wright was tho flrss
s:You havo told whnt you will do, now listen
TO me: You have dared to lie to tho dscredit of
a virtuous ady-hcr namo has been banded
about by your drunken companions, as II she
were creature rs vile as yourselves. You have
r,ofaned TINT namo in a low and dsgrnceful
paco, and unless you repair those injuries you
shall be punished" :,
.Punishcd!" almost yo!led the liber:inc.
"Punished!'' said Wright, firmly. "Uness you
now, add At once. confess yourself Iiar and
re,rnc, Whit has been spoken. you shall give me
81 will no. re,ract, and cannot fight you"
"Why not!''
"Becauso YOU are not equal to mo in social
observation-disclosures you gave tho first insult ana
do not choose % recognize 1t from ono oenoa'h
me-"
Wright reflected moment. and then, while his
eye cleaned with passion, IN husky tones ne
aslSd, 'tVill ynn fght!"
IL will have nothing 10 do with you. For the
language you have used. Will have revenge
when and whore can get it,
Miserable coward, take thnt!" exclaimed
Wright. throwing glass Of vino full in Saun-
ders' face.
Enough" mu,tcred tho latter between his
clenchcd :eeth. Il have changed my mind
Name your timo and place. accord you that
privilege"
'sTho time, Now!--the place, HERE.--he wenp-
ons, rHEsE!" replied Wright. as he produced
brace Of pistols.
Tho company stood nghast. They had tram
pied on a man whom they had mistaken for
miIksop--and he had proved hon IN courage as
we'll as q Napoleon in hrmness
"Ths may do very vol for bravado.' said
Saunders bury friend; "bu. you do not pretend
70 say that we should turn this place into saugh-
ter-housc!"
clark vel, said Wright. in manner which
showed that he was weighing every wofo: "ior
wears this man has carried dismay and misery
into tho peaceful family circle. Month after
month he has followed the pastitnc Of traduclng
tho character Of unprotected females.-Iie has
at last vi!lified the only ono love on earth-she
who is TO become my wife. know well enough
that unless this SANDER Is formally retTacsed,
.he Is ruined in the estimation of at least half
the community. All tho happiness hope to en-
low upon earth is conferred in her purity. If
am killed. her fate will not be moro dcplorab!e
than at present. Therefore, Mr.. Saunders must
retrnct, or will fire upon him."
Muto inquiries were exchanged -indccison
md fenr were marked on each face. Saunders
mechanically outstretched his hand and took ono
Of the pistols, looked around tho room as If for
advice. and then replaced tho pistol the table,
saying, 81 am in tho hands of my friends"
"Fight as PROPOSE" said a buriy man.
10
"This, then, is the plan: You shall each fire
at that spo, on the wall opposite. He who strikes
nearest ths centre shall have the first fre at his
antagonist, at six yards"
Tho echo Of the last word had scarce died