Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1853-01-20

t ly and heslalingly, as if they hardly knew
I whether IL were not better to call hslt, ant
protest at once against every thing they saw
+, without further explanation.
81 IN ow, gentlemen" said Dr.. S., after they
t had arrived at the fire, on which The po, was
boiling at a tremendous rate, "before ] ex.
plain the conclusion at which We have ar.
rived, should perhaps mention to you my
, friends reason for desiring time to consider
upon the choice of arms was, that he wish
ed 10 call 10 mind some weapon which
would place The mode of fighting upon a
. par with The cause of the quarrel.
"All Of these gentlemen coincide with us
in the opinion that the choice which he has
made is the offspring of happy idea. This
Epot is filled with beans, which are now,
should say to speak moderately, rather hot.
Here are the weapons"
The Doctor now drew forth from the
huge pocket of his overcoat q paper-enve-
oped parcel, and unfolding it, exposed TO
view pair Of those articles made of elder,
with the pith extracted, which boys use to
shoot paper pellets, and which by slight al
tefalion they render capable of throwing
water some distance.
"Of these Mr.. B. has the privilege TO take
the choice. The antagonists will then place
themselves one on either siCe of the pot,
and, by means of these instruments shoot
the hot bean soup at each other, until one
shall express himself satisfied. The party
making the acknowleds sment will be con-
sidered as defeated, and thus will The affair
| terminate."
Mr.. B. had come to the ground with the
intention, of course, of leaving all the talk
ing to his friend; but he now found him
self unable to Withhold any longer, the ex-
preston Of his wrath.
"l' is hardly worth while to appeal to you,
gentlemen" he said, with vehemen,ly sar-
castle emphasis, "since we have already
been told that you have come here with the
purpose Of supporting Colonel Filzhugh in
this ridiculous proceeding. Blu, declare
all lha, have seen here this morning to be
most outrageous! ! have invited Colonel
Fi'zhugh TO meet me in combat, with dead
ly weapons, and he has met me with mis-
erable attempt at joke"
'You will find i,,'' answered the Colonel,
who was quite cool and collected, ''to be
=. .0... ;f..,--.-.H.---
gone hey ond the privilege which ] am en-
titled TO under the laws of dueling. Capt.
Johns," he continued, turning to one of the
gentlemen present, "you have been in the
army and are we'll acquainted with these
matters (,he Colonel himself owed his mill
tary title to his being an aid dec camp TO the
Governor). Is not the challenged party en-
titled to the choice Of weapons?
"Most assuredly."
"But you are aware, Captain Johns" said
Mr.. c., CHA, the choice is limited to arms
customarily IN use among gentlemen on
such occasions, as the pistol, the sword, or
less frequently, some species oi gun, the
rifle, the musket."
"By your own showing them" retorled
the Captain, '',hc Limitation you speak OF is
no, exceeded in this case, the weapon Sc
lecled by Colonel Filzhugh being species
of gun-of The description usually called
pop-gun. The very letter Of your demand
is thus complied wi.h.''
81 see, gentlemen" here interrupted Mr..
B. again, with a strong sarcastic emphasis
on The word gentlemen, "that you persist 10
your intention to uphold Colonel Fl'zhugh
in his purpose Of avoiding, by wretched
lest. to give me the satisfaction which have
demanded. AS see no prospect now ol
obtaining the object of that demand,' he
added, with a sardonic grin directed 10 Inc
Colonel 81 have the honor of bidding you
good morning"
"Ssv, rather, young gentleman, ,e'orted
Cantain Johns, with sternness, "that our
Durpose was to save you from the commls-
s;on of ,hough,less and wicked act. The
weapon chosen by Colonel fIzhugh was
no less legl,imate than your cause OF quar-
rel. The remarks made by The C"ione'' IN
his public speech, furnish, according Ia
s,ric:est Interpretation Of the laws of duel
linz. no ius, occasion for sending chal-
lenpe. Though when young, was as rash
and impe,uous as yourself, and considered
dnel|ing as The most honorable mode OF set
Ting all disputes, have since see" muct
, cause to change my views, ana ! c"u'o re-
l,,c Ia Won incidents which have come un'
der nv own observation, that prove II 10 OF
:, one of the mos, horrible crimes. Hereafter
when your head is grey ss mihe' shou''
you live 10 that time, you Will 'hanA "' ~
: rescuing you, a, the very oulse', rom VT
-, reckless career into which you were aoou
TO plunge" c
), 81 am exceedingly obliged to you' Gap
u tain Johns,o said Mr.. B., ''for your KIM
and very instructive discourse but, as
came here for purpose very different 'fo"
listening to a sermon cannot ENJOY IT. 10
;, want of preparation. So bid you asa''
:. gentlemen, very good morning.
~ ou decline. them" said Colonel ti'z
e hugh calling to Mr.. B., as the latter and III
,. friend were walking towards their horses
). .syou decline to fight me on my o"
Of .erms?'