The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-09-12

rellSh IOr tnat, VIII spare your IlIe o.
condition that you will leave the arm,
/ take your choice
The Ensign's answer was prompt ant
frm-"You will have it So 1 am guilt
less," and the fencing began.
The seconds and witnesses had never
seen such a display of skill, and they
never dreamed of such a:result. In iv,
minutes the Colonel was disarmed, anC
at the mercy of the insultcd and out
ragged 6oyl
Heated by the struggle, and excited
by the imminent peril and bloody bitter
ness and fury of the enemy, he turned
from him somewhat haughtily with
[ have taught you lesson in the sword
play, and now I will set you another
which you need even mo-e-an example
of moderation in success"
The Colonel's modification and rage
seemed to know on bounds.
81 accept no fayors from such can't
ing phrase-makiDg sentimentalist-such
a mere fencing-master-such a trickster
and conjuring sword-player as you are" !"
the COLONEL burst out through his grind
ing teeth. "You knew we'll what you
we're about when you chose these toys
to play tricks with.-If you have SEN
timent of honor left in you, let me have
pistols, tell you this quarrel is not
made up. I will not have my life as
your gift. You shall take it or will
yours. The quarrel is to the death, and
there is blow to clinch it," striking at
the Ensign in transport of passion,
which he avoided with equal GOODNESS
and dexterity.
The seconds interfered, and even the
spectators cried shame; but it was clear
enough that blood must flow before the
parties should quit the ground. The
Ensigns seconds carried away by the ex.
citement, urged him to accept the new
challenge or change of conditions, for
he dispaired of any other adjustment.
"Will nothing satisfy this madman
but my life?" said the young officer,
deeply agitated.
"You have made him mad," said the
second, "and there is nothing left but a
false issue. You have the right TO re-
fuse, having already spared his life, and |
I will sustain you; but I do not advise
it, for it will be unavailing IN the end"
II have gone too far" replied the En-
sign, sadly, ''too far from the line of
true principle, to recover it now. I
cannot any longer say that 1 an opposed
to fighting; have broken down that de-
fence by yielding to an expediency which
1 thought safe one. Oh, it is horri-
BILE. did not dream this morning that
I might die a FOOLS death to day."
You will accept the Offer" hastily
the second you must be a
good shot, with such an eye and hand,
and such sclfpossession as you have
shown to-day. If your pistol matches
your sword you cannot miss him, and
upon my soul, he deserves it and 1 say
et him have it. You accept"
The Ensign stood silent. The
ground was measured, the pistols pre-
pared, and the combatants Stationed
The word was given. One, two, three.
The Colonel's pistol was discharged
It the instant and the Ensign stood un- {
ouched. He had reserved his fire, and |
lad the right now to take deliberate
i'm. Steadily he raised the deadly {
Weapon till it bore point blank upon the
JolonePs heart and there it rested q
minute in terrible suspense not nerve
Iuivered, not a limb trembled in either, !
nd the spectators held their breath
Iushed as the death they waited for
But suddenly wheeling, the Ensign
marked a post in different direction, :
nd pulling the trigger, delivered his {
all in it, breast-high.-It was a centre
hot, and instantly fatal if living man
ad stood there. The next instant, 8
hrowing down the pistol with decis-
On that could not be mistaken, he cried
ut; F." I viii go no farther in this wick :,
d folly. If there is nothing left for me
ut murder or submission, I will sub T
lit."
The grandeur of his position was too u
triking DOW to be mistaken or denied u
he Colonel was first to acknowledge.
Twice within an hour he owed life
, the magnimity of man he had q
, much abused. The man stood now
even by the hard laws of ii
ar and honor-he was neither trickster
Or coward. Possibly the Colonel felt h
,mething of the higher nobility of the
,uug mans principles, but I will not t.
} sure of that. He found him brave
ID generous, aud that was enough, W
ithout looking deeper for the hidden
rings of the noblcr life within him. h
Advancing to him, he offered his hand
,ologized frankly for all his mis- p'
,nduct acknowledged his misconcep-
On of the character which he had put cf
so severe trial, and added that he
as willing to owe his life to the bra es
st man had ever met, either friend or
e." 10
" Brave !" said the young man with Je
q color mounting to cheek and brow.