Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-12-04
A DUEL BY PROXY.

: Captain Christopher Shelldra k
was worthy Yankee shipmastel
who possessed many characteristic
4 of the true sailor. He was a astraight
l forward specimen of humanity, VIII
faithfully attended to bis own busi
, ness, with out meddling with the af
fairs of others. His exterior MAJ
was covered with a shell; neverthe
less, his heart was in the right place
and his disposition was sweetened by
a generous slice of humor.
! Captain Shelldrake was command
er Of the brig Rhinoceros, a number
Of years ago, on voyage to Havana
One evening he was near the quay, OF
landing-place, accompanied by good
natured spaniel, a pet of his, to which
he was greatly attached, when be
met an English gentleman, named
Morton, supercargo of a Bristol ship.
The dog, unfortunately, had strayed
a step from the side of his master,
and, unsuspicious ofill-treatment from
any one wearing the appearance of a
gentleman, almost brushed his caudal
appendage, known as a tail, against
the tender shins Of this proud native
Of Albion. Such an approach to "a
miliarity, and such a violation of the
rules of good breeding on the part of
a brute, excited the ire of Morton,
who lifted his foot, and with a sturdy
kick against poor Sancho's ribs, sent
him howIing and yelping ten or fif-
teen feet beyond the platform.
"Love me, love my dog" is an old
and familiar preverb, which every
man would do web to remember, and
it was particularly unfortunate for the
Englishman that he forgot it, OF con-
temptuously disregarded it, on this
particular occasion; for Sancho no
sooner proclaimed in loud and pierre
ing tones, the insult and the injury
which he had received, than Captain
Shelldrake, who saw the aggressive
act, and heard the remonstrances of
his dog against such a wanton out
rage, also raised his foot, weighty
one it was, and emulating the exam
pie of the Briton, tried the expert
ment Of kick at him, with such
hearty good will, that it capsized him
in the twinkling of bobstay, and
sent him sprawling, like spread ca
gle, after the spaniel.
The thing was sudden. It was an
extemporaneous kick, and was admi-
rably executed, but more to the as
tonishment Of the Englishman than
to his satisfaction. Indeed, he as lit
tie dreamedsa a moment before of re-
ceiving such humiliating and pain
ful salutation, as the unoifending San
cho himself, and seemed as much dis
posed to complain Of the uncere-
monious usa sc. Nor did be conGne |.
his signs of dissatisfaction to excla-
nations of astonishmeut, OF groans of
pain. He indulged in expressions of
anger Of a loud and boisterous char
acter, interlarded with expletives far
more remarkable for their strength
and ferocity, than for their meekness
or piety. And he terminated bis re-
by shaking his fist in the
vicinity Of Shelldrake's face, accom-
panied with demand for instant sat-
islaction-the satisfaction Of a gen.
Captain Shelldrake stood his :
ground firmly. He eyed the En-
glishman with look, calm and philo-
sophical, yet resolute and determined. I
"I'll tell ye what, my friend, said !
he, "don't shake your fist at me; and /
clap stopper on those broadsides of
abuse, or III turn to and drub you to
your hearts content, and teach you
a lesson in good manners which you
will remember to the latest day of
your life. What does the fellow
want?' continued the Yankee captain,
addressing the throng of spectators
which had gathered around, "Hie /
kicked my dog without a shadow of
cause, and / kicked him because he |
kicked my dog. He knows now the /
true value of a kick, and the sensa-
ton it produces when well admins |
tered, and | am entitled to his thanks I
for giving him an instructive lesson.
The manis a fool to get angry, and /
cannot do better than to go on board .
bis ship, apply an embrocation to his
bruises, and sleep off bis Indignation. I
While the friends of the indignant |
Morton sought to mitigate his wrath |
by suggesting that there was one