The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-12-01
OR, THE DUELEsT AND THE JOKE


. " A Sexton OF the Old School" contributes the
following TO the Boston Transcript:
Three young gentlemen, who had finished the
most substantial part of their repast, were lnger-
ing over their fruit and wine at eating house, in
London when a man, of middle age and middle
stature entered the public room, where they were
sitting, seated himself at end OF smaA unoc-
cupled table, and calling the waiter, ordered sim
pie mutton chop and & lass OF ale. His appear
ance, at first view, not likely arrest the al
tention Of any one. His hair was getting to be
thin and gray the expression OF his countenance
was sedate, with slight touch, perhaps, of mel
ancholy; and he wore gray surtout, with stand
ing collar, which, mantestly, had seen service, if
the wearer had not-just such thing officer
would bestow upon his serving He might
be taken, pIausibly enough, for country magis-
trate, or attorney OF limited practice, or school
master.
He continued to masticate his chop sip his
ale in silence, without lifting his eyes fl the ta-
Bile, until melon seed, sportively snapped from
between the thumb and finger of one of the gen.
temen at the opposite table, struck him upon the
right ear. His eye was instantly upon the aggres-
sor and his ready intelligence gathered from the
lily suppressed merrment of the party, that this
petty impertinence was intentional.
The stranger stopped and picked up the melon
seed and a scarcely perceptible smile passed over
his features, he carefully wrapped up the seed in
piece Of paper, and placed it in his pocket. This
singular procedure, with their preconceved impress
sons Of their customer, somewhat elevated as thew
by the wine they had partaken, capszed their
gravity entirely, and burst of irresistible laughter
proceeded from the group.
Unmoved by this rudeness, the stranger continu-
ed to finish his frugal repast in quiet, until another
melon seed from the same hand struck him upon
the right elbow. THIS also, TO the infniue amuse-
ment of the other party, he picked from the floor,
and carefully deposited with the first.
Amidst Shouts Of laughter, the third melon seed
was soon after discharged, which hit him upon the
left breast This also, he very deliberately took
from The floor, and deposited with The other two
As he rose and was paying for his repast, the
gayety OF these sporting gentlemen became slightly
suodued ltwas not easy 10 account for this. La
water would not have been able to detect the slight
est evidence of irritation or resentment upon the
features of the stranger. He seemed little taller,
to be snre, and the carriage of his head might have
appeared to them rather more erect He walked
10 the table, at which they were sitting, and with
tiiat air of dignlfed calmness which is q thousand
times more terrible than wrath, drew a card from
bis pocket, and presented il with perfect civiy to
the offender, who could do no less than offer hia
own IN return. When the stranger unclosed his
surtont, to take the card from his pocket they had
glance al the undress coat of a military man
The card disclosed his rank, and a brief inquiry
At the bar was sufficient for the rest He was d
Captain, whom ill health and long service had en-.
tiled TO half pay In earlier life he had been en-
gagged in several affairs of honor and in the dialect
of the fancy, was dead shot.
he next morning note arrived at the aggres
sor = residence, containing challenge, in form
and one only of the melon Seeds The truth then
flashed before the challenged party--t was the
chatlengers intention to make three bites at this
cherry, three separate affairs out of this unwar
raniaoe lfolic The challenge was accepted, and
the challenged party, in Difference to the chal
lengers repued skill with the pistol, had half de
cIded uron the small sword but his friends, who
were on the alert, soon discovered that the captain
VINO mad risen by his merit, had, in the earlier
r Gays OF nus necessity, gained his bread an ac
comp'ished instructor in the Use of that very wea
pan they met and fired, alternately, by lot the
young man had selected this mode thinking he
migh win the first fire--he did-fired, and missed
his opponent The captain leveled his pistol ant
hred-ihe ball passed through the flap of the righ
ear, and grazed The bone and as the wounded
man involuntary put his hand to the place, hl
tagonst that the first melon seed had fallen. Here
ended the first lesson. A month had passed. Hi
friends cherished the hope that he would hea
no'hlng more rom the captain, when anothe
noie--a challenge of course-and another of thos,
accused melon SEEDS, arrived, with the captain
apology on the of i'll health for not sending
belore.
Again they met-fired simultaneously, and th
captain, who was unhurt, shattered the right el
bow OF his anlagonIst-the very point upon whic
ne had been struck by the second melon seed an
here ended The second lesson. There was some
thing awinlly impressive in the modus 'oTa-and
and exqulst, skill of this antagonist. The thir
melon seed was still in his possession and the az
gressor had not forgotten that it had struck tn
nnofending gentleman upon the left breast.
month had passed-another-an another, of terr
bic su'pense; but nothing was heard from II
captain. Intelligence had been received that
was confined to his lodgings by illness. At lengt
The gentleman who had been his second in II
former duel, onre more presented himself and teI
uereu ahUlher note, which, as the recipient pc
CtlNeu, on takIug 1t. contained the last of III
melon seeds. The note was superscrbed in ii
captains well known hand, but it was the writin
evidently OF who wrote defciente mani
There was an unusual solemniiy, also, In the maj
ner of him who delivered it. The seal WI
broken, and there was the melon seed. in a bIar
envelope" And what, sir, am | TO unde stand /
ms You will understand sir that my frier
i0rglves yuu-he is dead"
Na'",-Ihe U. s. brig of war Perry, Cor