The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-09-08
OTTAWA, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY, OFFENDER 7, 184s.

an" 'NHtis dpdlii newspapers. ne pdVceIS
were generally opened on the spot, the news
communicated, and the Office displayed a
lively picture. Silvio used to receive his
letters directed to our regiment, and was
generally present on these occasions. One
day they gave him a parcel, the seal of
which he broke with signs Of the greatest
impotence, while he was reading his eyes
Sparkled. The officers, engaged in reading
Their own letters, did not remark this.
Gentlemen said Silvio, circumstances
demand my immediate absence; leave to-
night hope you will not refuse TO dine
with me for the last time. expect You al
Also he continued, addressing himself to
me, Il expect y0u.' With this he left US in
haste, and we, after agreeing TO meet at
SilviO's went our way.
! went to Sllyio's at the appointed hour,
aud found almost the whole regiment there.
a II his luggage, goods &C., were packcdup,
and nothing remained hut the naked ball
struck walls. We sat down to dinner, our
host was in excellent spirits, and soon the
gale'y became general; the corkS were fly
ing every minute, the glasses fuamed, and
we wished with all possible sincerity, a
good journey to our traveller. We rose at
late hour the evening; as we were look
ing for our caps Silvio babe goodbye TO
each person Sincly; he seized me by the
hand, and stopped me the moment when |
was preparing 10 90.
Il must speak with you,' he said in an
under tone.
remained; the guests were gone; we
continued alone; sat opposite each other,
and lighted our pipes in silence. Silvio was
Thoughtful; there appeared no traces Of his
late convuIsive joy; his gloomy paleness,
his burning eyes, and the thick smoke
which issued from bis mouth, gave him the
Appearance Of genuine demon. After
some minutes Silvio broke the silence.
perhaps we may never meet again. said
he. Il wished TO have an explanation with
you before our separation. You have re-
marked that | set hut little value upon the
opinion Of others but like you. and feel
that it would be painful to me if had left
OH your mind false impression.
He stopped, and begun TO fiji his pipe a.
gain, which he had just finished; ! was 81
lent and looked down.
you thought it strange that did not de-
mand satisfaction from that drunken fool
R. You will allow that having the
choice Of arms. his life was in my hands,
and mine almost without danger: nigh.
in this case refer my moderation to my gen.
crosby alone; but will tell no untruth.-
If could have punished R, without riS-
king my own life, never would have for
given him.
| looked at SIlvio with aStouishment
such acknowledgment served only TO con.
fuse me the more.-Silvio continued.
so 10 h,,, -,
self to death. Six years ago a man gave
me blow in the face, and he still lives
My curiosity was greatly excited. 'Iou
did not fight with him?' | asked; 'circum-
stances must have separated you =
u fought with him. answered Silvio, sand
here is a memorial of our duel.'
Silvio rose and took ont of band-box a
red cap with n golden taSsel and riband )One
ofthose which the French call bonue,s de
police), he put it on; it was pierced by a
ball just above the forehead.
"lou know continued he, shat served il
---reGiment Of huSsarS. You know my
character lam accustomed to dOmineer
and 1t was my passion from my earlieS
youth In our times extravaganza was thu
fashion. | was the first Spendthrtt in tn
army. We used to boast of drunkenness
! cut drank the celebrated B, immor
ta|i2ed by ID. d. Ducls occurred every da,
in our regiment; at almost every one | wa
either second orprincipal. My companion
WorShipped me, and the commanding off
GERS, who were often changed, looked upor
me as necessary evil.
Il enjoyed my glory peacefully, or ralhc
without peace, when a young man Of riCl
and noble family joined our corps Il shall
not name him. Never have lmet a man s.
brllianttn his fortunes Imagine youth
mind, beauty, the maddest gai'y, the mos
carlcSs fearless courage, a sounding name
money without end and you will easily con
ceive the effect he produced among us. NJ,
priority was on the waue. Dazzled by IN,
renowr he was on the point of seeking IN,
friendship, but received him coldly, am
he lief. me without regret. began to hat
him; his success in the army and amoni
the ladies actually drove me TO diSpair.
began to pick quarrelS with him but to m
epigramS he answered with cpiCrams whiC
were always thought better aud sharper thai
mine, and which certainly were liveiier
he TESTED, while rallied. At last one nigh
al ball which was given by Polish pro
1lltitI. bIA Nl'lN lOIllN Ilt was an on
ject OF peculiar interest to the ladies, an,
more especially TO the lady Of the house
with whom had been intimate, l whisper
ed TO him word of gross insult. Carrie,
away by the impctuosity OF the moment, h
gave NE a blow in the face. We flew L
our swords the ladies fainted we We're IA
ken away, and went to fight the same night
'rhe day was beginning to dawn. stoo
on the appointed spot with my three seconds
| awaited my adversary with peculiar i'm
patience. The autumnal sun rose, aud th
heat began TO diilnSe itself around. ! saw
him from aiar. He walked leisurcly
wearing his uniform and his sword. and &C
conpaned by one second only. We wen
70 meet him. He approached holding il
his hand his cap full of cherries. The sec
ondS measured out twelve PAGES: had Tia
first shot, but the excitement of malice wa
50 great IN me that did not trust my hand
and, to have time to cool, | otlercdit to him
My adversary would not agree to this. w
resolved to draw lots; he was the constan
child of Fortune; he obtained the first shot
and aimed and shot through my cap. Nov
1t was my turn; at last had his life in m,
hands ! gazed at him in oagerness, seek
ing TO find even n shade oi emotion. II
stood before the pistol, picking the rip
cherries from his cap, and splitting ont tn
Ia. =. A 4.