The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08

| by report OF tnOSe VINO uespiSeu MN. iie
managed 10 arrive at the latest allowable mo
ment, and he contrived to procure seat at table
next to the General, who, both as his host and
superior officer, was bound 10 afford him pro
lection from the insolence Of the company.
need not say how the dinner hour passed
with him. Totally silent and neglected, ex-
cept for the necessary notice OF the General,
the time, so full Of pleasure to the company,
wore away heavy and painful to him but he
was contented to escape rudeness, and made
indifference comparatively welcome.
After the cloth was removed, the WINE clrcu-
lated, the company drank freely, the mlrth
grew loud, and the presence OF our young
friend was nearly forgotten, until circnm-
stance of a startling character brought him into
notice. The General suddenly cried out,
I" Gentlemen, have lost my watch had it in
my hand ten minutes ago, but It is gone" "A
painful suspense instantly followed every man
exchanged glances with his neghbor, until at
last every eve settled with suspicion upon the
Young Ensign. Who but he, of all the com
pany, could be guilty of such a crime2 Be
sides, he was, perhaps, the only man near
enough to the General to effect the theft. Such
thoughts as these were in every mind--they
left not shade of doubt. The miserable
| WIttCu Wdo SduSit ~ iooe "hN eANAS ""S 80
little pity as respect felt for him.
"Shut the door," shouted the Colonel of
the regiment, "let no man leave the room.
The watch is among us, and it concerns every
man present to fix the guilt where ii belongs.
propose that search be instantly made, and
let it begin with me-"
"By no means,n interposed the General.
90 1t shall not be so. No gentleman is capable
| e A hpptrod uratchoc moi
worth the impeachment Of any gentleman's
honor. Say no more about it. 1t has no
special value above its price, and | care nothing
about that"
But, General" said the Colonel, "the
watch is in the ROOM One of us must have
it," looking sternly at the young Ensign, " and
the rascal must be driven from the station.
We cannot have pickpocket among US, and
we cannot consent TO leave it moment in
doubt who the wretch really is. There is no
fear that the shame will fall on any unexpected
place. We must finish the fellow now, and
be done with him."
The ensign sat steady, motionless, but pale
as death. Every eye was fixed upon him, and
10 every eye the signs of guilt were perfectly
clear The General had no doubt of it, and he
was the more anxious to prevent the search on
this account; but he was overcome, and sub
mitted. A few minutes sufficed for the exam
nation of every one present, till it came to the
I ensign, who was left purposely to the-iast. 90
"Now, young man." said the Colonel, turn
ing and advancing toward him, "now, sir, it
is your turn :" his face looking perfectly saw
age with Scorn and hate. "The watch, sir,
without word or moments delay!"
But terrific change had passed upon the
| lopo how Ha from
his seat with a scream so wild, so fierce, and
SO full of agony, that every heart stood still a
moment with surprise. In that moment he
had planted himself against the wall, drawn
| his sword, and taken the attitude of defence.
a suspected thief2 On your life, warn you
not to offer me that indignity. My dead body
you may search, but not my living one. APP
proach now if you dare. defy the whole of
you as one mani"
him in furious combat.
Hold peace arrest them!" cried the
General, and sprang forward himself to proven,
the aff'ray. At the first step, the watch rolled
on the floor! He had missed his fob, and now
the watch fell from its concealment in the VIC
lence of his movements. The company was
| tleCulltu. TIC SOuuuCl vi tic CilSlSu Was
inexplicable! He had braved destruction
risked his reputation, and perilled his life, on
point of honor too nice for his superiors tC
feel; and he had nsulted and defed them all
in one breath, and there he stood justified and
victorious before them.
1t was too much to bear, for they were toe
much excited TO understand it. Their determi
nation was taken, and the company dispersed
with o,1 ,vHn 10
The General seized the opportunity to apollo
gize to the Ensign for the unhappy mistake
which led to the quarrel, and requested him tc
call upon him that evening at late hour.
Our hero was scarcely in his own room till
the Colonel's challenge was presented to him
Without moments delay he answered the
second who brought it {" will not accept this
challenge to mortal combat. am opposed to
the duel in principle, and | will not be driven
from my sense of duty. You all know what
| have already endured rather than revenge or
defend myself by taking life. think you have
done your worst, but if not, am prepared for
it.. am my own master, and will not allow
any man to dictate my opinions as matter of
right, or compel me to conduct which my
heart and head condemn"
"Sir," replied the second, "you have seen
/ ~ w hNiuN' iiC oiiiOiS, tuC iiiCh WIN uCopioC
| you, and you are right in that opinion Let
me tell you, that cowardice and conceit, covered
with preaching and canting, will not protect
you. You have grossly insulted every gen
tleman in the garrison, to whom you were obi
Gus enough before, and you must either give
them the satisfaction which the code of honor
approves, or you mast leave the army. Be as
sured of that"
When he met the General that night. and
informed him of the challenge, and his refusal,
that officer shook his head and looked at him
sadly and earnestly, if not doubfully.
"My dear young friend" said he, :" am
afraid it won't do. These men will not be sat
isfed with an argument, and it is plain that
you are not the man to make an apology while
convinced that you are right, nor do | believe
| that they would accept anything short of your
resignation. You have somehow got the ill
will Of the whole corps, and tonight you af-
fronted them mortally. am sure you canno,
know how sharply your conduct and language
touched them, and your triumph only aggra-
waited the offence. And, now, your refusal to
accept the ColonePs challenge is, under the
most favorable construction, an attack upon the
code by which military men govern themselves
toward each other. | see no escape. Flgh
you must, or your challenger will heap upon
you such personal indignities as will make
your life intolerable, or drive you into violence
which will amount to the same thing d ac-
cepting his challenge. l saw that in your eye
to-day which convinces me you are as brave al
julius Cmsar Yes, / saw something there
drawer than mere physical courage, and fell
its superiority but, you cannot convert the
| world and reform the army soon enough tC
answer your own ends, and you must submit
to its rules, or be driven from it in disgrace.
honor your principles, for understand them
bat YOU cannot maintain them"