Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-08-23
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN THURSDAY, AUGUST q, 1866

1.-THE word ''c0Ward," and / have DO
tresented it, and bad not this day
event come to pass. | should not har'
made the explanation which 4 an
labout to make, for it might have
been received as the hollow excuse
Of one whe dared not to fight. Yol
have some Of you heard Of my father
He was brave man and an officer
but in an evil hour he had a diff
Guilty with brother officer, anG
accepted the challenge to fight 8
duel. He met his companion upon
the field, and he fell. Hehad marched
boldly up to the cannons mouth fol
his beloved country, and his life was
spared that his bosom friend might
take'it. My mother heard Of the sad
story. She knew my hot blood
she knew was my fathers child,
she feared for me. She drew my
head upon her grief:laden bosom, and
asked me to promise her that | would
never give nor receive challenge to
mortal combat, aud that / would
never lend my countenance or as,
sistance TO the same in the capacity OF
afriend. ] promised her, and sealed
it witha vow, and mothers prayer
went up that might be true to it.
Gentlemen, you know all"
There was tear in his eye, but
be turned quickly away and went on
deck.
For some monents after he had
gona there was death like still.
ness. ,....,4
Gentlemen, uttered Savage, start
ing quickly from his seat, follow me
on deck
He started for :he ladder, and we
all went after him. Legrand stood
by the lee quarter railing, and Saw
age moved quickly to him..
Mr.. Legrand,' said the humbled
officer, in a trembling, but frank
tone, 4 have wronged you most
deeply. and here before all the living
witnesses Of my error, | ask your par
don. Forgive me, sir, and | will never
do such wrong again s.
Waltertook theproffered hand, and
as tears trembled upon his dark lash
es, he replied; ~ 4s,.i5rsgs
Captain Savage, most joyfully do
| accede to your request; let the past
be forgotten, sir, and may its dark
ness be more than obliterated by the
friendship of this hour
The temptation could not be re.
sisted. My first mate threw up his
cap and called for three cheers. And
they were given--three times three
for the noble youth who had not
only been the direct agent Of saving
CUR ship and crew, but also had the
moral courage to- do his. whole duty,
even though it brought outthe jeers
aud SCOTS Of. his companions against
him. ,a.ia .as Il
: The widowed mother had followed
her son on deck, ard she had seen all
that transpired, aud never shall |
forget the strange look that dwelt
upon her oountenance as she clasped
her hands aud saised her streaming
eyes towards heaven. 1t was look
of such joyful pride, ardent gratitude,
as words cannot tell. 90
In due timewe arrived at Calcutta
without further trouble, and on that
evening of the reconciliation, ] heard
rot profane word nor rihald jest
fall from Captain Savage's lips. lie
vas, better and happier man. WAL
ter Legrand was urged most strenu.
eusly to JOIN the army, put MS
mother restrained him.
| He settled his fathers business, and
he and his mother returned to En-
gland With. me-. Three years after
that he was sent to Parliament from
bis native borough, and no man can
enjoy more extensively the conf.
dence and esteem Of his fellows than
he; bat l know that all the honors
which men can heap upon him can
never fn that place in bis heart and
love which is filed by the gratitude
and trusting confidence Of his own
dear mother. ze s}sssas.
| A poor seamstiess in Dundee, Scot
land lod aw.v hv rpliUiouS mono.