Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-21


address had risen from his chair. changed
countenance more than once, and an.
swered only by bow Of acquiescence !;
he dared not trust himself to spesk, lest
his tongue should betray his terror. The
captain politely saluted the rest of the
company and left the house.
With him departed all the gaiety of the
lieutenant. He became thoughtful and
taciturn his mind wandered from the
game. and he soon lost more than he had
gained. He was unnerved with terror
while rejecting on the consequences o
his folly. What an advantage must an
adversary possess over him. who coul d
bear with so much calmness a series of
degrading insults, and who could pro-
pose duel with such imperturb ba bic
sang froid, Such an antagonist must
surely be singularly endowed with cour.
age and skill Such were the ideas
which continually passed through his
mind.
When the company separated they all
agreed to meet at the same place at the
appointed hour. But it is not to be SUD-
posed that they all slept equally we'll
during the night. When they assembled
the next morning at the coffee house.
they found the Englishman before them
at their rendezvous, but he was now
dressed in splendid suit of naval uni
torm of his nation. He was attended by
valet, who carried a case under his
arm.
He requested the officers to accept of
| some refreshments and they entered into
| conversation with the Englishman, when
he gave indications of possessing cult.
waited mind, and knowledge of the forms
of society and good breeding.
At about eight o'clock he arose from
his chair, and begged the Prussian officer
to select the spot where their Quarrel
must be decided, adding that he was a
stranger in the city, and that all places
were alike to him. The Baron named
the open pastures lying between Ham
burg and Altoona.
When they arrived on the ground, the
Englishman asked the Prussian what
distance he would prefer; he answered
fifteen PAGES" That distance is too
great, " resumed the Englishman-..y Won
will miss me. Call it ten, if you please. +"
And his proposition was adopted.
! The major now made the observation
that the captain had no second. "That
is of no consequence" said the English.
man, eff | fall my valet has my orders. :"
The major represented that such a pro-
ceeding was contrary to the usage in af:
fairs of this kind, and that il such a for.
mallty was neglected the duel could not
take place-but he politely offered to as
sist in that capacity.
When the ground was marked out. and
each of the principals had taken his sta.
ton, the captain asked his antagonist
significantly, if he had good pistols, s.for. ,
said he, 9 have q pair which I have
often used, and which never miss their
man: L will give you proof Ct their
excellence"
He then called his servant, and or.
dered him to throw something into the
air. The man took handkerchief from
his pocket. "That is too large" said
the captain. &" find something else" He
then took from his pocket dried prune;
That will do," exclaimed his master.
The fruit was thrown into the air. the
pistol was fired, and the prune was shat.
tered into a thousand pieces. At this
extraordinary proof Of address, the spec
tators were struck with aStonishment
AS to the poer lieutenant he was more
dead than alive.
The captain now resumed his station.
and requested his antagonist to fire but
the major interposed, stating that it was
contrary to the custom of the country,
that the offended party had an undoubted
right to make the first essay, and after
his fire was returned, the rest should be
decided by chance.
My friend" replied the captain, if
| should suffer myself to be influenced
by your opinion, this young gentleman
would never have another opportunity to
test the quality of his pistols. Unjust
lave my own way in this particular
and after | have settled the affair with
this gentleman, each of his companions
who amused themselves last evening at
my expense, and who, instead of restrain.
ing the impertinence of their friend,
laughed at his ridiculous follies, must
one after another front the muzzle of nv
pistol. Now, sir, 1 am ready. Take
good aim--for if you miss me you are q
dead man."
The lieutenant presented his weapon /;
drew his trigger, and the ball passed
through the Englishman's hat.
1T is now my turn" said the captain.
81 was las evening butt for your rail-
leries, for your sarcasms. Without prov
ocation you insulted me; covered me
with humiliatio1s. | was q schoolmaster?
a tailor, village babbler. What am I
now9 A man! And what are you z
A miserable wretch, poltroon, tremb-
ling with fear. The death which in q
few minutes you will receive from my
hand already surrounds you with shad-
ows. The grim tyrant's icy hand is al
ready extended over you-yeur lips are
livid; your eyes are glazed and your
visage is as pale as the winding sheet,
which in few hours will envelop your
1 L.