The Ohio union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1849-1854, 1853-05-25


The Baron, wiIh"his eonpanions, ac.
cordingIy adjourned 10 negllboring room,
and commenced playing at cards. To
Judge from their numerous jokes, followed
by loud peals Of laughter, it would seem
that The young officers folly and impru- c
derce we're already forgotten. An hour
passed away-all was mirlh and jolliiy
The Baron had gained considerable sum,
and his spirits were proporlionately buoy
ant, when the little man in black entered
the room, and slowly approaching his
chair, tapped him gently on The shoulder,
and requested to speak with him in anoh.
er apartment. The Baron regarded lin
with with look Of disdain, over his shoul
der,- uttered an ill.limed jest, and laughed
in his face. ,.
"Sir," said the man in,black, ina 5de-
cided and manly tone, "you labor under
a trifling mistake. which must be at some
pains 10 correct. am neither tailor nor
a school master. have the honor 10 be
post.Captan in the English Navy, very
much az your service. You have insulled
me, and demand satisfaction /, il you re-
fuse it'll shall find means 10 obtain IT,
Tomorrow morning at seven o'clock |
shall awaity you here. Bring pistols with
you"
The astonished Baron, who during Ahis
address had risen from his chair, changed
countenance more than once, and answer.
ed only by bow Of aequiescence; he
dared not irust,himself 10 speak, lest his
tongue should betray his terror. The
Captain politely saIuled the rest Of the
company and left the house. .,.. g
|. With him ,deparledelhe gaieiy Of the
Lieutenant He became thoughtful and
tacilurn; his mind wandered from the game,
and he soon lost more Than he had gained,
He, was unnerved with lerrori,while re.
llecting on the consequences Of his folly.
What an advantage an adversary must pos
sess over hin, who could bear with so
much calmuess series of degrading in
sulls; and who could propose duel with
such imperlurbable ngfroid Such an
antagonist must surely be siugularly en-
dcwed with courage and skill! Such were
the ideas which continually passed through
bis mind. q
When the company separated they all
agreed 10 meet at the same place at the
appointed hour. But il is not 10 be sup
posed that they all slept equally well du.
ring the night. When they assembled the
next morning at the cofIee-house, they
found The Englishman before them at lh'
rendezvous. but no was now dressed in The
splendid naval uniform Of his nation. liz
was attended by valet, who carried 1
case under his arm.
= lie requested the officers 10 acctp, o
some refreshments, and they entered int,
conversation, when the Englishman CAV
y indications of possessing cultivated mind
and knowledge of the forms Of sooiet.
and good breeding.
= Al about o'clock he arose from hi
: chair and begged the Prussan officer t
select The spot where their quarrel mu:
u be decided, adding that he was strange
' in The city, and that all places were alik
d to him. The Baron named the open pas
. lures lying between Hamburg and AIlona
When they arrived on The ground, III
Englshman asked. The Prussian what dis
d lance I've would prefer; he answered, "Fi
'l teen PAGES"
:. ~ hat distance is TOO great" resume
the Englishman, "you will miss me. 4. Ca
&c it ten, if you please" And his propos
;, lion was adopted. .trt :" - 49,
D. The Major now made the obsetValio
lri thai the captain had no second. r'rtat
| Of liule consequence" said the Euglisl
W man, "if fall, my valet has my orders.
le The Major represented that such a pr,
ID ceeding was contrary 10 the usage in a
,e fairs Of this kind, and that if such form
I'd ality was neglected. the duel could moi tai
place; but he politely offered 10 assist
lie that capacity.
u When the ground was marked ont AT
i; each Of the principals had taken his static
the Captain asked his antagonist, signi
n canly, II he had good pistols; for, said h
" II have pair which | have often use
:" and which never miss their man. | W
ID, give you proof Of their excellence. ="
he lie then called his servant and order
him 10 throw soaelhiNginlo ihcair. +
IRE man took handkerchief from his pock,
on That is too large" said the Caplai
IN "fnd something else" lie then took fra
Ter his pocket dried prune. "'rhal will do
exclaimed, his master. Tue fruit W
ed thrown iuio the air, The pistol was fire
he and The trune was shattered into abo
N. sand pieces. At this extraordinary pro
r. of address The spectators were struck wi
= aslonshment, As to tho poor Lieulenal
r. he was more dead than alive.
" The Captain now resumed his sta,i
n ant requested his, antagonist 10, Ere; b
VS. the Major interpnsed, stating that il "
r. contrary 10 the cuslum of The country, III
: the offended party had The undoubled rig
pc 10 make the first essay, aud after his d
was returned The rest should be decid
by chance. ...
" "My friend" replied the Captain, ali
ne should suffer myself to be. Influenced |
* your opinion, this young gentleman won
n never have another 10 test The quality
his pistols. must haze my own way
I'd hiSpnrticular;and after | have settled the d
ie fair with this gentleman, each Of his COZ
Id panions who amused themselves last eve
a ing atmy expense, and whN Instead Off
sraining the imperlinence Of lheir'frien
at laughed a, his ridiculous lollies, one aft
I'd the other must front my pistol Now; 81