Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-01-04
Mr. Smith O'Brien's DueIs,

Some time ago, Mr.. Smith O'Bricn, whilst
conservative, felt himself insulted bv Tom
Steele--recentiy in so distressing a light before
the publlc-and sent him challenge Steel
accepted it and met him. O'Gorham MahoM
"a well known tire-eater now in the house, actA
ing as Toms second. Steele was brave man.
but the most nervously excitable one that ever
lived, while OBrlen, on the turf at least. was ms
cool as statue. The result of an EXCHANGE Of
shots between two such men was, that while
Tom bullets went off almost at rirbt anrles
with his man, he latter tore with his first fire The
breast OF Toms coat and with his second a nor
ton Of the collar. OGorham Mahon. seeing
this, and fearing that, as practice makes perfect
OBnens next ball must be fatal to more tina Il
broadcloth sought to remove his man. presumine
that Mr.. O'Brlen was satisfied but MIR. O'Br;oS
was not; the "moon calf" stuck in his Throat
and he wanted to see ifhe could not stick some.
thing else in TOMS in return. "Then." said
Mahon, standing before his friend, at Mr.. o.
Bnea will have another shot, he must have it at
me-" The descendant of Irish kinps was not
particular whom he killed, and was wiling to
accept substitute; but the second would NOT
allow the exchange, and so the matter ended
Ot the two principals in that business, one has
since jumped over Waterloo bridge, and the 9TH
er is proclaimed rebel subject to be shot or
hanged. Not long after this O'Brien fought
Mahon's brother. The collision arose ont of
a contested election for Claire, in which hi
brother, st. Lllcius, was one of the candidates.
Mr.. William Mahon wa ) making some char
ges against the house of Drumolaud." on FIN
hustings, when he was interrupted by Sml
Brien who addressed him in the falIskinl
with as much neatness, and cali
6nanS bearing as though.Ae
Apiment: :" AS mehbef
Drnnnland, SIT, (bowing,) have 6utoSsS
make to your aspersions, and that ren,,'
gentleman and man of honor, you viii as
sure, receive in the spirit in which it is - am
you lie SIR" Blowing again. Mr.. Mahosn" p:n
his hat in acknowledgment, Smith O'Brian' i,ted
he leaving the court together without the ana
est fuss, each accompanied by a friend srI
rather followed insunctively than by inyit.,";A
and without the least attempt at interference
the part of the sheriff. In less than an hour On
Ter this interchange OF civilites, they wee b'.,
standing within IL PAGES of each other on tSa
public ce-course, close to the town of Enn;"e
while at least thousand people were present +
witness the proceeding.
have heard the unfortunate outlaw called
coward on several occasions within the last fSN
weeks! "Your courage should be as keen ana
polished as your sword" Turning up his right
cuff as deliberately as he were about to wash
his hands for dinner, he took the pistol from III
second-the two friends retired couple of pa
ces-the word was given-both weapons were
raised; only one went off; in fact, Smith o.
Briens second had given him the pistol without
cooking it, and when the former pulled the trio.
ger, it, of course, refused to obey his finger
He handed back the pistol to bis friend, saying,
with smile, " Mcdonnell, you ouly half did
your work" Judging from O'3riens seIfpos-
session, perhaps it was fortunate thing for his
antagonist, who might however, have stopped
the bullet, without being greatly damaged, as
one Of his legs were made of cork,--Riistol.