The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-08-27

err; ~ fear mischief will come of it,"
A considerable damp seemed to have
been thrown upon the spirits of all the
company, and the circle gradually broke
up. The gentleman who had heen the
cause ofthe explosion, a, length rose and
went home, not over free from anxietv.-
He now regretted the use Of the offensive
word, aud yet he felt that it had not been
undeserved. Not being a military man
for he was a banker in good business
and with extensive connections he couId
scarcely divine what the other would do
in reference to the 'sa,isfaction" which he
had spoken of; yet he had some unpleas.
ant misgivings about the issue.
The banker was not left long in doubt.
Next morning, after an anxious night. n
Numbering rap came to his door. imme.
diatey thereafter, n gentleman was ad.
m'tted. The banker rose up to meet him.
and recognised him for military gentle
mAn-in fact, the major of the others
corps.
Il have the honor" said he, tot wait
ing upon you at the instance of nv friend
the Honorable Captain Sir Eustace Fitz
Giles; this letter will explain to you the
object ofmy visit"
The banker opened the missivc. It was
written in thunder and-ligbnng hand.
and sme!t frightfully Of gunpowdcr: in
fact. there was no misunderstanding il.
al will call upon the captain" said the
banker. a. will do so at once"
"The usual mode in such matters. as
YOU ale aware, is to refer me to Your
friend"
"In good time, SIR" answered The ban
ker; but first would sec the captain
himself"
"Very WE'LL" SAID the major "bu, the
usua! course in such MATTERS"
Yes, yes" said the banker: :" know:
but ! wish to see the captain himself"
He will refer YOU to me-"
"Very well! then shall have the pleas
urc Of seeing you again ;" and he bowed
the major politely out.
The banker went straigh,way to the
choIerc captain. "Sir." said he to him.
" am not nt all ashamed TO confess my
sell in the wrong, in having used to.
wards you the expression which has given
you offence. | beg to withdraw il, and
apologize for it with all mr. heart"
Too late, sir, by Jove too late" said
the captain, twiring his moustache.-
You must meet me, sir nothing short
on the spon, an apology might have been
accepted but | did not known pou down,
Of that will do. Had knocked you down
and your apology comes too late. refer
you to my friend, who is authorized bv
me to settle all necessary preliminaries.-
Name to him your time and place, and
go home and settle your affairs"
The banker was thunderstruck. He
considered with himself for while
"Well, sir" said he, at length, " if il must
be so, meet me TO morrow at Two o'clock.
in the large field north Of - Lodge, in
the - Road, with your friend, and
pair Of pistols"
Enough, sir," said the brusque cap
tain; and they parted.
The parties were on the ground ut the
time appointed. The captain was accom-.
panied by his friend the major. The
banker was attended by gentleman in
suit of professional black--a very unmili
tary. and most civil looking personage.-
AS they Approached, the major suddenly
stepped before his principal, and, address
ing the bankers second, said.
"It was perfectly understood, sir, that
pistols were to be the weapons employed
on this occasion but here, sir, il mistake
not, you bring blunderbuss under your
arm"
II beg your pardon" said the other,
drawing the instrument forth; "it is not a
blunderbuss, but telescope"
"And what in Heavens name is the
meaning Of this | hope it is not meant
rs al additional :nsal. 20 nv principal I"
"Oh !! by no MEANS" said the banker
who proceeded TO inform the major Of his
previous and present readiness to apollo
gize, assuring him that he had intended
no offence to his friend the captain, and
that he was now anxious to explain. The
apology was declined as before, and an
explanation was demanded.
In the first place." said the banker,
II earnestly beg that you, captain, will
look lhrough.this telescope"
What, sir, II Look through a tele-
scopel BY heavon,sir, what foolery is this I"
The bankers second claimed to be heard.
=" insist" said he, that this Is most Sc.
rious and important to my eli, to NY
friend"
" 1t is such breach Of all the customa.
~ forms," said the captain. "Such pro-
posal is quite in,olerable."
IL regret" said the banker to the ma.
jor, "tbat ! should have to urge this re.
quest but kto me most necessary pre-.
lim'nary. Will you, major, do me tie
favor to apply your eye to the telescope!
put It TO you as gentleman and an of.
hcer, whether there is any offence in The
request r.
Nay, sir" said the major, az do not
ray that; but Il seems to me so absurd
80 contrary to the established rules in
su,h cases"