The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-04
victimized bridegroom is prosperous in worldly

|
circumstances.
The circumstances under VIII oh witnessed
| thus fatal encounter were purely accidental
| l had been stopping at the came inn where
| poor R--was passing his honeymoon and
| mad often admired couple, whom nature, il
would seem, had created for each other. The
| evening when the wicked deed took plsce-br
Pemberto1's friend gave the false signal, and
II was shot before he could raise his
pistol was in my bedroom making trifling
change IN my toilet, preparatory TO an exeur-
sion along the cliffs, when, without,the custo-
mary knock upon the door, in rushed the
ehambernaid-
"Sr sir !" she exclaimed, in voice ofwild
alarm, run down stairs, for Gods sake -
hey are going TO shoot the handsome gentle
man ~
Before | could ask question, or compre-
bend what the frightened girl meant, pop went
a pistol in the garden. | Jumped to the win
dow-it overlooked the bowling greenland
| there upheld by the gardener and boy, |
saw gentleman in the agonies of death -
Halfundressed, hurried down stairs, and saw
the two men mount their horses and iide cool
ly away from the yard. and on reaching the
scene OF action, found that, with poor R.,
suffering was at an end, and life was extinct.
Thirty years after the sad event, | was
marching a wing Of the ID through Johns-
town, where we were to halt for the night
when received visit from the squire TO in
VIte me TO dinner, and offer me bed. Both
were willingly accepted; for the village host
lerie was ill-kept and sadly over crowded. On
inquiry, found that the gentleman to whose
hospitality was about to be indebted, was
the son OF poor h, whom | had seen
shot al East Port and as the reminiScence
might be unpleasant kept it TO myself.
was most kindly entertained, and after supper
in those days tavorte meal in Ireland
was conducted by grey-haired attendant to
my sleeping chamber.
Have you been long in the family ?' in
quired.
Il have lived in Johnstown under three gen.
erations."
Then you remember some family changes
in your time, John ~
Cab, many" said The old man; some for
the better, and others for the worse"
You lived with the father of Mr. RI"
81 lived with the best master and the hand
soonest man that ever fell in wicked duel"
81 saw him shot"
The old man started, crossed himself devout-
ly, and poured out supplication for mercy to
the departed.
May ask your name, sir1"
| told il.
"Iremember it we'll You were the Young
officer who held the poor master in your arms,
when you sent the gardener and his boy to
fetch the doctors"
:" am that person, and would have acted as
your masters second, could l have reached
the bowling green in time. But they made
short work Of it,
"Ab, they did, indeed" said the old man,
but the vengeance of tue Almighty has pur-
sued them hard"
Did he who killed your master come 10 an
untimely end 2" | demanded
"Come into the next room, and | will tell
you, sr.''
He lifted the candle from the table, and led
me into an adjoining apartment. 1t seemed
sort Of private room or study. There were a
couple Of book cases, whose shelves were to.
leraby filed, collection Of stuffed birds. and
u glass press above the mantel-pieces, to which,
when he had placed the lights on the marble
slab, he selected and applied key, and from
two pegs within lifted down an antiquated
weapon. took the gun and examined it care
fully. In its day it was, no doubt, held in high
estimation. The pans and touch holes were
bushed with gold, and the mountngs of the
stock were elaborately finished, the fnishings
being silver. But the barrels were shortened
by a foot.
"Why, John, these barrels have been raced.
How short they arei'
"They were found long enough TO do the
work of yengeance.' returned the old man,
drily.
"See ye, sir. this cross!'
" Yes; the file has deeply indented it,"
Through that barrel a summons to eternity
was carried to a ruthless heart. Nav God
be gracious to your soul, Liaume VaddGgh!
You took time TO do your work, and did it
we'll"
The old man replaced the weapon on IFS pegs
locked the glass case conducted me TO my
room, and bade me good night, and left me to
sleep-perchance to dream.