The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-11-28

SecJl uHSiTtuS 70 lilSuit mt.
Fetiock had now worked himself into q
most ungovernablc rage, and advancing
still nearer to the youth said, "ta Ike that"
at the same time striking blow with his
fist, which the youth wsr,fcd of with great
skill, and raising the chair at his side with
an ease and show Of strength that the sight
of his slight frame by no means warranted,
he struck the bully powerful blow upon
the head with it, SO as to bring him to the
ground, the blood pouring from his mouth
and nostrils while he absolutely roared with
madness.
The keeper Of the cafe here interfered,
and put stopto further quarrel, but Fet-
lock soon recovering from the injury he had
received, insisted upon immediately fight
ing his antagonist with pistols.
The keeper Of the cafe told Mr.. Eaton,
this. [ afterwards learned was the young
gcntlenan's name,-that Fetlock was a
celebrated shot, and that he never missed
his aim; that he had to his certain knowl-
edge killed nearly dozen in a single com
bat and urged young Eaton by 10 means
10 accept his challenge.
But Eaton was All arden. South Carroll
nian Of good birth and high notions of
accept the prohercd challenge; he there
fore accepted it, and resolved to fight.
Introducing himself to me on the spot, he
declared himself an utter stranger in the
city. and desired TO know if | would act as
his friend or second on the occasion. /
promptly rcfusci, but in such manner
as not to woanti his feelings, assuring him
that it was against my ideas of honor for
two men to attempt the life OF each other;
warmly pressing my hand he told me- hc
pca;e,l wish that he would abandon the
whole afair-iic readily found another
ltnon the spot, who sgreed to stand his
friend for the occasion.
I heard the appointment and the place,
snd determined to be upon the spot. BY
his earnest solicitation l accompanied
young Eaton to his hotel, when sausly
locked in his room he gave me some par
ticul,rs Of his life and family.
Il Was an orphan" said he, "at o yery
early age, and have lived from that tine
in the family Of an uncle a planter III
South Carolina A few years ago, be
came enamorcd of as lovely girl as ever
! breathctl our southern atmosphere
was happy, thrice happy; the time had
been appointed for our ruptials, when
! discovered her infidelity! I could not foI
long time believe the truth, but at last
was constrained to do SO, and for many
months lay at deaths door with a raging
/ fever. brought on hy this severe and un-
/ looked for event immediately assumed {
prof able agency for my uncle in Havana
on nv recovery, and during the two years
! past have resided in that city, where al
! length have closed the business | have
! nai%n am at this time on MY return, ,ant
! have chosen the route via, this city, hav
ing never visited it."
, lie entrusted to me several letters ant
! papers to be sent to his family in case o
his death, and several times in;imated tha
he had held his life very tight since his dis
appointment, and that he should at leas
have the satisfaction of Kidding the countr
of villain.
i / again endeavored to persuade him t.
absndon his purpose, pointing out hoS
easily he might do so without incurrng
the least odium as to his personal courage
I told him would reach the ground wit
a posse Of police in such q manner tha
, no suspicion would attach itself to hin
as being aware of the circumstance; bu
no argument appeared to have the leas
. weight with him. lie did not care i
live, he said and that he should certainl
clear the world of that bully. He woul
not permit me to leave him that night un
| til / had given him my word as gen
tleman | would not in any way interler
in the proposed meeting on the morrow
left him about midnight and wende
| my way to my lodgings at the ST
Charles.
The next morning l was early at tn
: oppointcd rendezvous, when I found tn
t parties already assembled.
| The noisy bully was in his element
clustering about the spot as though h
( was a king, confident of an easy victory
he confidently looked upon young Eato
as poor, thoughtless victim, and think
A ing that his shot, if he fired at all, woul
t be like the fire of any green one, who.
/ he took good ADVICE, would, on his fir:
: aim fire some three or four yards abov
a or aside of his mark and then lie migl
:, stand bare possibility of hitting it; TIL
t last remark indeed he made, or one equi,
e aient to it so loud as TO rcachtheears {
the whole company.
Henry Eaton was calm and collected
e he was, perhaps, a shade paler than on tn
: previous night and it was evident that h
C had made up his mind to die!
h Eaton, being the, challenged party as
e matter Of course, had the choice of wear
: ons and the mode of the conflict. Presen,
: ly Fetlock approaching in one of the turn
: of his walk quite near to E., said, "com,
sir, settle the preliminaries as soon as DOS