The Georgetown news., 1856-05-01
Due1Iing.

In Albany, New Y York, during session
of the Legislature at the Capitol, several
years ago, very laughable circumstance is
said to have occurred-of course before the
prohibition of duelling by sta tute in the
State
1t was an exciting political time, and
owing to some 'words spoken in debate"
by heated member, during the cheated
term, touching somewhat upon the pri-
Yate character of brother member, O
challenge was forthwith dispatched to the
offending member by "a friend" as such a
messenger is called in the language of the
code of honor.
The challenge was at once accepted.
Pleased with his promptncss, the second
said:
"When can we expect your frieDd?7
Don't want any friend" 3aid the chal-
lenged party. II waive all such aIvan-
tages. He can have dozen if he wishes"
"This is magnanimous, but it 10 accord
ing to the "code." Well sir-if J an 70
confer with you directly-What weapons2"
"Broad-swords."
1.-The tin.1?"
"Day after tomorrow, at twelve O'Clock
at noon precisely.
"At what placer
"At o., on the st Lawrence. Your
principal shall stand on one sile of the riv-
er, and will stand on the other, and VIC
will fight it out p
The 'second" frowned. "This ia no ieSt-
ing matter, sir. You are not serious !'
"Why, yes I am, tool Hasn't the chaI-
lenged party a right to to the choice of tho
weapons and place?"
"Well-yes- but not to unusual
weapons in unusual places.
Very we'll: pistols will not be objected
to, of course?"
"Assurcdly not; the gentlcman'o weap-
ons"
Every good, then. We will meet to-
morrow in the little village of b, and
at twelve o'clock, precisely, we will fight
OF the top of "SI SIgar-loai Hill;" STANDING
back to back, marching ten PAGES, then tur-
ming and firing. Will that arrangement be
satisfactory"
E'It will. We shall be there!
And the parties separated Now "Su-
gar-loaf HILL at the place aforesaid, vas
exactly what its name imports; sharp
conical pillar of ground remarkable to all
the immediate country round for its pccv,
liar formation.
The time arrived, and the parties appear
ed on the ground; but the state of the case
leaked out very quick.
Sir" said the second. as he arrived with
his almost breathless principal at the apex
OF the Sugar-loaf, and surveyed the ground;
"Sir! this is another 6ubtcrfuge! What
kind of place is this for duel With pis-
tolls, back to back, and forward march of
ten PAGES? Why, sir, both parties would
be out Of sight at eight PAGES. let alone ter:
and turning to fire, you must fire into the
side-hillr p
$50 much the better for both of US !" an
swered the marty of the second part; eve
are on terms of perfect equality then, which
is not always the case in modern duels."
"Out spake the challenging principal
| then, in words too plain to be misunder-
stood:
"Sir-rm he said to the second principal,
at the same time looking daggers at him
"Sir-r-r! you are coward1'
"Well, s'posin' | am You kucw I was,
or you would not have challenged me p
Thev do say that the two parties that
went down the steep sides Of Sugar-loaf
Hill, Oh that memorable occasion, were as
difficult of reconciliation as when they as
cended its sides: and moreover, that they
were as different in temper as possible
One party was laughing, and the other
breathing out threatening and slaughter;
but nothing came of it after all This was
the last Of that duel; and thoughtfully re-
garded, it seeras there is something of a les
son in it HarperS Magazine.