Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-09

without the slightest apparent con
sciousness of the impending event.
When all were gone. and she also had
left the parlor, | did what came for
and said TO Mr.. Clay Notwithstanding
our late political differences. my per-
sonal feelings towards him were the
same as formerly. and in whatever
concerned his life or honor, my best
wishes were with him. He expressed
his gratiacation at the visit and the
declaration, and said it was what he
would have expected of me. We par
ted at midnight.
Saturday, the 9th of April-the day
for the duel-had come, and al
most the hour. Ii was noon, and the
meeting was to take place Ntil o'clock
| had gone tosee Mr. Randolph before
the hour, and for a purpose; and be-
sides, it was so far on the way, rs he
lived half way to Georgetown, and we
had to pass through that place TO cross
the Potomac into Virginia at the Little
Falls bridge. | had heard moth
ing from him on the point of not re-
turning the fire since the first commu-
nication to that effect, eight days be
fore. | had no reason to doubt the
steadiness of his determination; but felt
a desire to have some fresh assurance
oft after so many days delay, and so
near approach of the trying moment,
| knew IL would not do TO ask him the
question--any question which would
imply doubt of his word. His sen.
sitivc feelings would be hurt and am
noyed at IT, So | fell upon u scheme
to get ut the inquiry without seeming
to make it. | told him of my visit to
Mr.. Clay the night bcfore--of the late
sitting--ihe child aslecp--tho uncon-
scious tranquility of Mrs. Clay: and
added, ! could not help rencctIng how
different all that might be the next
night.
lie understood me perfectly, and
Immediately said with u quiotudc of
look aud expression which seemed 20
rebuko an unworthy doubt, ~ sball
do nothing 10 disturb Me sleep II me
child or me repose QfMe mother" and
went on with his cmployment--hIa
seconds being engaged IN their prepar.
atIons IN n different room--which was,
making codIela 10 hls will, all In tho
way of remembrance TO friends; the
beqaests slight In value, but Inyalua.
BILE Ia tenderness of feeling and beauty
ofexpresalon, and always appropriate
TO tho receiver, 10 Mr. Macon he
gave some English shIllIngs. TO keep
the game when he played whist,
ilIa nameaake, John Randolph hiyan,
then al school In baltimore, aud since
married 10 his nleue, wan sent for 30 sec
him, but sent of before the hour OF go.
Ing out, 10 save the boy a possible shock
at seeing him brought back, lie want.
ed some gold-that coin not being then
In circulation, aud only TO be obtained
by favor or purehaae-and sent hls
faithful man, Johnny, TO the United
States Branch bank 90 get few pieces
American being the kind asked for, -
Johnny returned without the gold, and
delivered the excuse that the bank had
none, Instantly hIa clear, silver toned
voice waa heard above lts natural pitch,
exolalmlngl "Their name IL leglonl and
they are laFs from The beginning, John
ny, bring me my horae." llla own sad
dle-horae war brought him --for he nev.
or rode Johnny'a, nor Johnny hIa, though
both, aud all his hundred horaes, were
of the finest English blood land rode OIL
TO tho bank down Pennsylvania avenue
now Corcoran T. Rlgg'a--Johnny fol-
lowing, aa always, forty paeea behind -
Arrived at the bank, this scene, accord
Ing to my informant, took place. "Mr.
Randolph asked for the state of his ac.
count, was shown IL, aud found 10 be
some four thousand dollars In his favor
lie asked for IL, Tho teller took up
packages of bills, aud olvllly asked In
what sized notes he would have Il. Il
want money aaid Mr., Randolph, put
ting emphasis on the word, and at that
time II required n bold man TO intimate
that United States bank note were not
money. The teller, beginning TO under.
stand him, and willing TO make sure, said
inqulringly; You want sIlverr Il want
my money! was the reply. Then the
teller lifting boxes 10 the counter, sat
politely: 'liaye you a cart TO put II in
THAT h my business, sir said he. BY
that time tho attention OF the cashier
(Mr. Richard Smlth)was attracted 20 what
a.
Ing the question aud IIa cause, told Mr.,
Randolph there was mistake In the an.
swer given to bis servant-that they hat
gold, aud he should have what he want
ed. In fact. he had only applied for q
few pieces, which be wanted TOR a special
purpose, This brought about compro'
mise. The pieces of gold were rcceiv-
with; but the account In bank was clos
ed, and a check taken for the amount
on New York. He returned, and deliv'
cred me a sealed paper; which | was t.
open il he was killed-giye back to him
1t he was not; also, an open slip, which
was to read before got to the ground
This slip was request to feel in his LEFT
biCtSHNo pOthStt ~ ho Who hilitb3 ohu
find SO many pieces of gold-I believe
nine-take three for myself, and give
the same number to Tatnall and Hamil.
ton each, to make seals to wear in re.
membrance oil him. We were all three
at MI. Randelpb's lodgings then, ant
soon sat out-Mr. Randolph and his
seconds in carriage, | following him
on horseback.
| have already said that the count was
to be quick after giving the word fire,
and for reason which could not be told
to the principals. To Mr.. Randolph
who did not mean to fire, and who
though agreeing to be shot at had nc
desire to be hit, this rapidity Of counting
. out the time, aud quick arrival at the
command stop presented no objection
With Mr.. Clay it was different. Will
him it was all real transaction, ant
gave rise to some proposal for more de-
liberativeless in counting off the time
: which being communicated to Col. Tat