The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-01-05


heard OF my difficulty Of the previous cve-
ming he had come TO offer his services as
my second.
Thanking him for his kindpess, L said
that l had not, as yet, decided to call out
the gentleman in question.
Not yet decided! !" repeated my Wis
itor springing to his feet, causing me there
by to recede two PAGES, in some personal
apprehension mot yet decided But
perhaps l do not understand you"
1 intimated, rather uncomfortably, that
had conscientious scruples against the
practice OF the duello.
Conscientious fiddlesticks !" Interrupt
ted my visitor Sir, you must fight.
There is no alternative. A lady has been
insulted while under youy rotection, That
lady is my cousin. Unless you take notice
of it, must"
d" l shall be very glad to have you,"
said [, eagerly thinking to shift the duel
upon him.
"You misunderstood me- said he,
gravely. Unless you challenge Captain
Brown, l shall understand it as personal
disrespect to my cousin, and shall cha-
lenge you. Choose which of us you will
fight"
This was said so resolutely that sue
cumbed at once. [ reflected that, while
there was equal danger to be incurred in
a duel with my visitor, there would be less
credit.
Shall l write the missive ~ inquired
my companion, who called himself Lieut..
Eustace.
YES" said I. family.
He sat down at my desk, and in few
minutes produced the following;
"S1R,-You grossly insulted a young
lady, while under my protection, last eve
ming. AS man of honor, l call upon
you either for an ample apology, or for
the usual satisfaction accorded in such
oeso= I send this by Lieutenant Eustace
who is autho. ized to oAt as my C.7r,J
Yours, ETC., PETER SMITH.
Captain ACHILLES Bnowu."
Having signed this, with some misq;v-
ings, inquired os to the character Of this
Captain Brown.
81 don't know much about him." said
my ffie"dj "but 1 presume he is & reg
ular frc.eater."
This was sotislaotory--very.
"Suppose," soid l, in 'remulous voice,
"you erase the word ample before apol
ogy.' I consider any apology sufficient"
"But I shall not" was the Lieutcnant's
emphatic reply.
There was no more to be said He de-.
parted with his missive; and I was left in
no very enviable frame of mind,
Two hours after, the Lieutenant return.
ed in high spirits.
Has he appOlogized?' inquired ca
gerly.
"Not bit Of it." was the reply 8" He
VOWS that he will shed the last drop of his
blood first"
"What a sanguinary monster he must
be !" was my internal reflection.
The meeting is appointed for to-mor-
row morning, an hour before SUNRISE" re.
sumed the Lieutenant. at il to take
place at Hohoken weapons, pistols: dis.
tOnce, fifteen PAGES"
Isn't that rathar ncar?" I ventured
to remark.
"Near? OF course, you want it near.
You will be more likely TO hit your man.
And he will be more likely to hit me-
rejoined.
"Of course" was the careless reply
You must take your chance for that"
| could not help wondering whether he
would be so cool about It if he were the
| principal, and I the second. In fact
have always observed that seconds are
much more scrupulous about the honor O.
their principals than they are disposed tc
be about their own. suppose it is hu
man nature. think it altogether likely
that I should make very fierce Second
"I suppose you are used to pistols ?
remarked my friend.
Used to pistols remembered one
having fired one as boy to the imminen
danger Of my little sisters life. Since thel
l had not had one in my hands
As strolled out into the streets in al
unhappy frame of mind, a newsboy thrus
into my hand daily paper which me
chanically bought, Glancing over tn
columns I observed that hoat was al
Nertised as about to start that day for Ha
vana. The hour Of departure was four #
the afternoon. A sudden thought struc
me. Would it not be much better to en-
bark for Cuba than remain behind to b