Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1856-02-28
gutt mn 5antll.
Challenge Accented,

the Capitol, several years ago-of
course bt fore the prohibition Of duel
ing by statute in that State.
1t was an exciting political time,
and owing to some swords spoken in
debate by heated member, during
the cheated term,' touching some-
what upon the private character of
brother member, a challenge was
forthwith despatched 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 accept
ed.
Pleased with, this promptuess the
second said:
@When can we expect your f1end?"
Don't uant any friend" said the
challenged party. 81 waive all such
advantages. lie can have dozen if
he wishes"
"This is magnanimous, but it is
not according to the code Well, sir.
If / am to confer with you directly
what weapons?'
'Broad-swords.
"The timer"
"Day after tomorrow, at twelve
o'clock at noon precisely"
CAT what placer"
"At o., on the st. Lawrence
Your principal shall stand on one side
of the river, and / will on the other
and we will fight it out"
The second frowne d. sThis i.
no jesting matter, sir. You are not Sc
rious!'
@Why yes I am, too! Hasn't TIT
challenged party a right to the choici
of weapons and placer
"WeR-yes : sir; but to usua
weapons in usual places"
Every well; pistols will not be oh
iected to, of course"
"Assuredly not; the gentleman
weapon
@Very good, then. We will NEE
tomorrow in the little village O
land at twelve o'clock precise
ly we will fight on the 'Sugar-loa
HILL standing back to back march
ing ten PAGES, then turning and firing
WiilHat arrangement be satisfactory
at will. We shall be there"
And the parties separated. Nov
''Sugar-loaf Hill, "@at the place afore
said," was exactly what its name i'm
ports--a sharp comical pillar o
ground, remarkable all the immedsat
country round for its peculiar forma
ton.
The time arrived, and "the parties
appeared on the ground: but the stat'
of the case 'leaked out" very quick
"Sirl" said the second, as he arr
we'd with his almost breathless s'prin
cipal" at the apex of the Sugar-loa
and surveyed the ground-"Sir! thi
is another subterfuge! What kind O
a place is this for duel with pistols
back to back, and forward march O
ten PAGES? Why, sir, both partie
would be ont Of sight at eight PAGES
let alone ten; and in turning to fire
you must fire into the side-hiIl!"
$50 much the better for both 0
us!" answered the "party of the sec
ond part" 'we are on terms o
perfect equality, then, which is no
always the case in modern duels,'
Out speaks the challenged "princi
pal then in words too plain to be mis-
understood:
'sSIR-R!" be said to the secont
principal" at the same time looking
daggers at him; SIR-R! you are Z
icowardy"
"Wellls'posin' I ami You knes.
| was, oryou would not have challen
ged mel
"They do say" that the two spar
ties" that went down the steep sides
Of the Sugar-loaf Hill, on that mem
orable occasion, were as difficult O
reconciliation as when they assembled
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" nothing came off after all
This was the last of that duel.
And, thoughtfully regarded, i,
seems to US that there is something
of lesson in it, "indifferently well''
as We have set the actual occur snce
before our readers.
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