The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-01
My Duel with Captain Elliott.

war WIth MEXICO Dut before L proceed must
give you a short account OF my previous hlslo.
ry-
Elliott and had been rivals and enemies from
our very boyhood. We were educated at The
| same public school. Before arrived, he was the
pet, the hero, the Napoleon, so TO speak, of the
school the leader alike in Study in sport and in
mischief. He proud, imperous overbear.
ing boy, though with many generous and en-
dearing qualities and out OF school his will was
law to the boys, as that Of the teacher was in
school.
! When | arrived, however, being about his own
age and lad of considerable spirit, | refused to
submit 10 his authority and there being many NAL
contents in the school, who secretly dsliked him,
they one bv one enrolled themselves under my STAN
dard, and we thus divided into separate factions
Numberless were the pitched battles which we
had, as well as the personal for supremacy mum.
b"rless the bloody and cracked crowns,
numberIess the reprlmands and even more iang-
bic lnflicons OF The teachers. Elliott and were,
in fact, always at variance, always crossing each
other, and agreeing in nolhirg except in hating
each other cordially.
u hen we lelt school, he went off to West Point
and TO the Medical College, and we lost sight Of
each other for some years. In due Of time
commenced practising physician but find
ing it did not pay very well, aid being besides oc
somewhat rowing and adventurous disposition,
| applied Cor and Obtained the appointment Of
! army surgeon, and was Immediately ordered to
Fort-.
had been there but a short time, when the
Commandant, brave old GurIey, whom some Of
you doubtless remember, died of fever. An Off
Ger of the name OF Elliott, was appointed to
ceed him, and you may judge ofmy modification
when | found il my old enemy. Much as it
CALLED my pride, was obliged 20 subm TO his
authority; but did it, assure you, with very
bad grace.
Elliott was essentially changed since had last
known him the impetuous, overbea ring boy, had
become u grave, quiet, reserved man, who could,
II he chose, render himself very agreeable com.
panion, but who seldom took the trouble 10 do it.
Many Of the officers however, and all the men,
liked him very much but, somehow, there SEEM
ed 10 be an impossible barrier between him and
me. disIiked his reserve which | attributed to
pride and he complained of my boisterousness,
as he pleased TO call 1t. He did, indeed
make some eforts to concalc at first, but
seeing repulsed them, he withdrew himself be-
hind his entertainments, and treated me ever af
ter with GOODNESS absolutely freezing.
Things were in this state, when an uncle OF
Eliotr's, with his wife and daughter, stopped for
short time in the vicinity Of the fort, on their
way to Washington. The daughter, Mss EyIne,
charming young lady and every unmarri-
ed man in the garrison Immediately fell in love
with her. 1t would weary you 10 enumcrate the
PIC MICS, the water parties, the drives, the balls
that given in honor Of her. A good humor-
ed rivalry prevailed among us for her preference;
and bes were taken as to whether Davis or Jones,
or The Doctor, or the commAndant himself has the
best chance
For myself ] was / do think, seriously in love
with the charming girl. To be sure she did not give
me much cncoura CEMENT but trPdLo encourage
myself | rode with her, walked with her, dane
ed with her, and kept with her as much rs poss
bly, could. | saw that Elliott scowcd darker than
ever upon me, but | ld not care for that in fact
was glad of an opportunity of giving him PAIN
and showing him that his dislike FOR not
shared by all his connections.
On the evening before her intended departure,
there had been farewell ball, had danced with
her the whole evening, while Elliott, who did not
dance at all that nIg ghr, sat moody converSing with
her father [ was so fascinated with her and so
gricved d: the thought Of her leaving, that be-
lore ] slept that night, resolved TO her IN
the morning and make her a tender OF my
heart.
Accordingly, as early as decency permitted, ] !
called, and was by the bundering servant shown
at once into her presence, where an extraordinary
scene presented itself. On sofa in the room,
her face buried in the cushions, her dress disor.
dered, her beautiful hair, which curled naturally, |
all in a tangle,' and her attitude denoting the ,
very p.ostratIon of despair, lay the charming girl
| had parted from last night IN tne eSuOeraDce oil !
youthful and light hearted joy. On the table be-
side her, and OF the floor were scattered innumera-
BILE letters, and portrait, locket blue ribbon |
and wirhered rose, lay carelessy among
them.
She on my entrance, and would have de-
nied herself, but Il too late. Her eyes were !
bloodshot with weeping, and her fair cheeks swoI
len and dscoored. took her hand and with
much soIicitude inquired the cause of her sorrow.
fresh burst of grief was her only answer, and
it was some time before she sufficiently COM
posed 10 give me an explanation.
Ii appeared that she had been for long time
engaged to her cousin Elliott. and that he had, in
a fit Of mad jealousy, returned her letters and
tokens and formally broken The engagement.
{" 1t was my fault" said she sobbing. " all my
fault. did wrong TO play with his noble na-
ure"
His noble nalure,' said |, bitterly; for, as you
nav suppose, did not feel in the bandest humor !
It The discovery had jsut made.
Oh, DR.. c. said she, 'you do not know
him. He is the best, the nobest OF men and |
lave lost him-lOst him by my own mad folly
Iere she fell into such passion ofweeping again,
hat forgot mY own disappointment in my solicit
ude for her. | suggested that perhaps an cxpla-
laon could be made.
Impossible she said. "Ii was my flirting
With you and Mr.. Jones, and Mr.. Davis, that
f,ndtd him-and how could that be explained
L.. 7 fNrO