Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-05-22

challenge to mor,al combat. | am opposed to
the duel IN principle, and will ~, be driven
from my scn.e of duty. You all know what
have already endured rather than revenge or
defend myself by taking life. think you have
done your worst, bu! if not, | am prepared for
it. am my own master, and will not allow
any man TO dictate my opinions as matter of
right, OF compel Inc To conduct which my heart
aud head condemn"
"Sir," replied the second, "you have seen lit
to include me among the men who despsc you,
and you are right in lha, opinion. Let mo tel
YOU, that cowardlce and couceit covered with
preaching and can,ilg, will not protect YOU
You have grossly insultcd every gentleman in
the garrison, TO whom you were odiuus enough
before aud you mast either give them the sat
isfaction which the code of honor approves, or
ycu must leave the army. BE assured of that"
| When he met the General that night, aud
informed him Of the challenge, and his refusal
that officer shook his head md loUked nj him
sadly and earnestly il not doubtfuly.
My dear young ricnl,' said he, Il am afraid It won't
10. These men will net be satisfied with an Argument,
end it il PLAIN that yon are not the mAn to make an
rology while convinced that YOU are right nor do be-
lcvc that they would acccp, ANY thing short olyoar
* alton. You have somehow got the ilI-wil of the
Whole corrs, and Tonight you airont,d them mortaIy.
an sure YOU canto ot know how sharply your conduc,
and language touched them, aud your triumph only ag
'eayaed tie offence. And now Your refusal 10 accept
The Coloncfs challenge Is, under the mos, favorable
construction, attack upon ia, code by which mil tn
Iy govern themselves toward each other. |
lscc escape Fgh, you must, your challenger will
heap upon YOU such personal udgultics as will make
your life inolcrablr, or drive You INTO violence, which
will amount to the same thing accepting his challenge
| saw that III your eye to-day which coI.vnces You
are brave as julius Caesar. Yes, saw something
there braver than mere physical courage, and felt lis
supciorty;bul you canuo, cou ert the world and reform
The army soon enough 10 answer your own ends. and
you must sua 10 Its rules or be- driven from it nds.
grace honor your principles, for understand them,
but you cannot maintain thcm.'
Our hcro's reflections that night must be- lrrt 10 im-
aginaion. The difficulties which surrounded him, the
lcompulsoHs that were upon him, can I've known only 10
those who have been tempted and tried to the utmost
with The world and their own necessities against them.
In the morning he accepted the challenge.
Having the right TO choose the weapons, he named
the small-swold. When the Colonel heard this, with
touch of feeling, which all hi, bitterness could not
Itinguish Ii" SAID: Docs the moth know that he is iut
tering into the taac?' The second answered, Il told
him that you Iepued the bcs, swoglsman in the
my, and begged him 10 choose pistols, which would
give him some chance OF equality IN the fight, but he
declined. IT. fact don't knuw what to make Of this
young ellow--lSc the swold he has chosen 10 fight
with, he is 80 inhrr and yet 50 elastic and mcir'omc
sometimes. he Is such mixture OF Methodist, mule and
madman, tina, cannot make him out. And Colonel,
he is no, light bargain either Tor anybody. II seems
TO me that you were making nothing of o him ycstcr
day when the General incltciod The fellow actually
stood up handsomely, and made very pretty play with
his weapon 10 tell the truth, lm beginning 10 like
him little, and feel sorry THAI he must be disposed of
in your peculiar way
The Colonel mutered, grimly, "If mus. k III
the rascal, l'E glad he shows sound pluck and
capacity in the business don't want to be II
boy butcher"
The next morning, at early sunrise, they met
on the field of honor.
When the ground was prepared, and the
champions stood armed and ready, the Ensgn
suddenly lowered his sword point, and address
ing Lis Antagonist, said: "Sir, ! nm here under
compulsion, merely. do not consent to this
practice. To mo il is absurd as it is wicked.
1t settles no right, and it redresses no wrong.
Let me say, then, that if my patience has given
way under my prosecutions, and have, by a
husly word or act, Justly offended you, am will
ling to rotract it. What is your complain, ~
"Young man, came here not to preach, but
to fight. | came here no. 10 confer with you a.
bout nice points in casuislry, but 10 punish your
impudence; but, if you have no relish for that,
| will spare your life, on condition that YOU
leave the army-iake your choice"
The Ensign's answer was prompt and firm:
"You will have it sol am guilt!ess,' and
the fencing began.
The seconds and witnesses had never seen
such display Of skill, and they never dreamed
Of such a result. In five minutes the Colonel
was disarmed, and Il! the mercy OF the nsuied
and outraged boy!
Heated by the struggle, and excited by the
imminent peril and bloody bitterness and fury
Of bis enemy, he turned from lin somewhat
haughtily, With have taught You a lesson
in sword. play, and now will set YOU another,
which you need even more-an example 0!
moderation in success
The Colonel's modification md rage seemed