The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-11-04

Here thoy were interrupted BY tho on.
trance Of Colonel Strut. More friendly
congratulations, | suppose, thought Paul 10
himself, in heroic resignation.
'lbclicvs have the honor to address Mr..
Paul Plant said tho Colonel, marching
with stately port, and in double common
time, up to Paul, and planting himself bolt
upright before his face.
AT your service, entirely said Paul,
with meek and measured civility.
And Mr.. Plant, 1 presumc,' continued
the Colonel, making half a bow, and screw
ing up his martial features into an apology
for civil smile lis to marry tho widow
Wilfulr
20 yes, ccrtainly-that is-so they say
srhen sir, | have only to say said the
Colonel, lifting himself up as high as pos
siblc, and twisting his fore finger into one
Of his formidable black whiskcrs, that con-
sidcrng myself suppluntcd, bcguiled, and
circumvented BY you, apprchcnd you nrc
ready TO give mo satisfaction as tho laws
Of honor require
Certainly. sir, with great PLEASURE re.
piled Paul.
Then, sir, I shall desire the pleasure Of
your company on the other side Of tho State
line returned the Colonel, in tho quickest
tone possible. PISTOLS. | suppose, would
DO your prcfercnccr
'ristolsr said Paul, in tone which he
meant for an ejaculation Of surprise.
Very we'll, said the Colonel, without
giving time for farther explanation, here
arc the terms Of the meeting, which trust
you will find perfectly agreeable So say-
ing, he handed piper 10 Paul, who re-
ceived il, and ran it over with his eyes,
without having sclf-posscssion enough to
gather the meaning Of particle Of its coc-
tents.
Perfectly agreeable, certainly said
Paul, 10 his usual asserting way. The
Colonel turned upon his heel, and stalked
off,
'Psul's good friend Tom snntchcd up the
document, and 'Pislols-tcn A. M
thirty PAGES, seconds TO mark out the ground
no interference till tho third shot-sur-
gcons for two, mortally wounded &c.
why, Paul, do you know you arc to
fight duels'
Am IT. said Paul, sthen Heaven be
praised, there is still hope left; for If am
shot to death, shall escape marrying the
widow
When Paul arrived At the field Of action
on the cventtui day, he found his spirits a
great deal firmcr than he expected. Ia
fact, he felt inspired by the greatness Of the
occasion, aud very naturally, Cor when a
man knows he must either DO shot or
married, he must be nwsrc that tho cri-
sis requires oil his for.itudc. Paul took
his station with the most bloodless inten.
ton TINT over prompted man Of battle.
Il had much rather be killed than TO kill,
thought he.
'One-two--threc,' said the seconds, as
Paul raiscd his pistol TO nbout iorty-seven
degrees Of elevation. Fire! hang! The
Coloncl's bullet whistlcd by Paul's left ear,
and Paul's hi. the stecplo Of martin-box
at the top Of an adjoining harm.
Twice more were the pislils tried, when
the seconds inicrfcrcd; the Colonel dcclar-
cd he wns satisfied, and they shook hands,
thereby showing that Paul Pliant, by shoot
ing three times in the face Of tho blessed
sun, had proved TINT he never supplsnted,
beguilcd, and circumvcnted,' the aforesaid
Colonel Strut, for SO il is laid down in the
.codo of honor
Il seemed now 10 be oil over with Paul.
i mast be married, them said he to him.
scIf-'kiIling won't save me- Tho day
was fixed, and his fate seemed inevitable.
The nearer il approached, tho less he felt
resigned to il. The day before the we'd
ding, Paul met DR.. Bindemt;ght, the wor-
Thy parson who was to join him 10 his bon.
ny bride.
.Doctor,' said Paul, how shall | escaped
Marriage said tho Doctor, in his most
solemn argumcntasivc way, lis considered
by all authorities, ecclesiastical, political,
ethical, legal, and Judicial, ~ bond or
covenant entered into by the mutual con-
sent and agreement If both parties. There
fore, am decidedly Of the opinion, that
when the ceremony takes place, and ] pro-
pound the regular question, VIII you take
this scoman for your wJer you reply,
NO. il is not . marriage, by no manner Of
means.'
Il can't do it, said Paul mournfulIy. Il
have tried il hundred times, but the word
stuck in my throat. There ID spell upon
me in matters Of denying; must assent to
everything. was born without capacity
to do otherwise. Ask me if have got
three heads, believe ] should say yes
Then you always say yesr
Yes, always, certainly
Goodbye, friend Paul. said the Doctor,
ciyilly touching his hat.
Mercy on NOR exclaimed Paul Plant.
There was ssck turn out among the
ladies' the next day! wish ] had been
lhsre to zee il. Trinity church was shrong-
Cd, for everybody know Paul Plant, and
tn acnuninianca n widow Wilfll coannris.