The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-02-09

cious bully, and If forced to meet him at the
poin. Of the sword, l trust that he will not
fnd me an easy conquest. Dear Julia, even
you brought up and living among people
who consider cowardice as the greatest Of
crimes, would dispise me were ! to fly and
leave you al the mercy ofthis wicked ruffian.'
Julia said no more. She did not acquiesce.
vet could not dissent, and resorled 10 the ref
uge of her sex-sighs and tears 1t was not
long before Chetwood met Gutaub, who as
Julia predicted, watched his moiiOus inces-
sanity. Ii was in public walk W here many
people of both sexes ard of the class with
which Chetwood associated, were strolling
about in various directions. Whenever he
met Guiraub, the latter passed some palpable
ai1ront upon hun, either by look Of bitter
scowl, contemptuous word or by brushing
rudely against him. Ii was trying moment
to Chetwood, whose blood boiled in his veins,
and he lonsed 10 stretch the insulting bully at
his feet.-But he remembered Julia, and as
those insults were only obvious to himself, at
length hurried away degraded in his own es-
Iination as man and ashamed TO look
woman in the face.
Guitaub continued to persevere in this
course of silent outrage. He watched every
opportunity of encountering Chetwood, and
harassing his feelings by every latent insult
his ingenuity could invent until at last his
life became burthen 10 him. He saw that
he was every day becoming an object Of con-
tempt TO his associates, " no had al length
noticed the conduct of Guitaub.-l1is color
faded he grew thin and weak, and his mind
became a chaos Of contending passions.-At
length he opened his mind to Julia. He told
her of the persevering insoencc Of Guitaub;
of the contempt into which he himself was
daily sinking, not only i'll his own estimation
but that of his fellows; Of those terrible con-
hicts which were gradually undermining his
health, prostraiins bis mind, and concluded
by making her arbiter Of his fate. Julia turn
ed pale, trembled, and remained speeches for
time. At length the Creoe's daughter, and
imated by all the pride Of tenderness of love,
and by the recollection of her Norman an
cestors cast herself on his bosom, burst into
tears and exclaimed
Go do what becomes man. could not
love you il you were disgraced. Go. call
this rufiian TO account, and if you fall the heart
that has been devoted TO you shall be conse
Grated to Heaven
Fear not, my love- replied Chetwood,'
though i'll the sight of God purpose willful-
ly TO do what is perhaps wrong under any
circumstances, still will | trust that, as COM
pared with my adversary | am certainly ex
cusable, he will judge equitably between Us
and defend the right. Besides, l have my
arm and my sword TO trust TO, nor am de-
void in skill. While abroad | devoted my
self TO fencing under the most famous mas
tiers, and What then practiced as healthful
elegant exercise. will now convert into a
means of defending my life and protecting
my honor They parted with a promise
from Chetwood. that he would conceal moth
ing from Julia, and above all, apprize her
when the crisis came and the meeting was ar
ranged.
Chetwood did not Immediately seek Cult
iub, and little less did he avoid him. 1t so
happened, however, that he met the latter al
dinner. where large company was assembl-
ed, and was placed exactly opposite TO him.
In the course OF the entertainment. the glass
es being filed. Guifaub deliberately leaned
across the table, reached Chetw GODS glass,
and, nodtins significantly, drank it of.
Pray sir said Chetwood,' may | enqnire
wllaI you mean by this I?
'O-hon replied The other you don't under
stand me. | was only drinking your health
in honor Of your unequalled courage in pock
eting insults.
Permit me TO return The compliment re-
piled Chctwood. filling another glass and
dashiRg the contents full in The face Of Gut
aub. The result is easily anticipated. A
challenge was given and accepted, and the
meeting arranged for the following morning
al sunrise. Chetwood sought Julia, and al
once without preface informed her oil the
state of things,
Tomorrow decides my fate. dear Julia,
and have not moment 10 loose in prepa-
ration. In anticipation of this result have
already made my will, and earnestly enireat
you to accept the bcquest have made
Your beqaest interrupted Julia. in
calm. solemn voice, that neither lrembled
nor falterod. Your bequest? II you die
shall want nothing. | shall no more belong
TO this world
The parting was ipexpressibly solemn.
Not a lear was shed by either. Not another
word was uttered. One silent embrace
one soft, linsering-and they separated. per-
haps forever-The next morning dawned
with soft, hallowed lustre, after a nightly
shower. The mocking birds sang among the
orange-groves and the showers shed their
fragrance all around as Chetwood took his
way accompanied by friend 10 the place OF
meeting. He found Guiiaub already there
prancing ubout with the air Of a conqueror
and apparently eagerly thirsing for the blood
of his antagonist. His first salutation was
You are somewhat late, sir suppose
you staid 10 say your prayers. You have
need of item. toI you have moi long TO live
Our lives are both in the hands Of the
Giver,' replied Chetwood and The preIimi-
naries being settled. the combat commenced
with inveterate haired and fury on the part
o. Guitaub on that of the other with calm,
collected determination. Each was master
Of his weapon, and several passes were ex-
changed without effect, when, IN making a
desperate lunge, the foot of Guitaub slipped
on the wet grass, and he pitched forward his
full length on the ground. Chetwood i'm
mediately stepped back few PAGES and
said.
Rise sir; do not wish TO take advantage
Of your misfortune.
Guiiaub arose. and, totally insensible TO
the generous forbearance of his adversary,
redoubled his efforts with such imprudent,
eager luminosity. that he gave Cheiwood an
opportunity OF executing mancuvrr he had
learned of .thrnaI la