Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-04-09

saiuted the rest OF the company, and lmme
diately left the house.
With him went the gsiety of the Lieu
tenant. He became thoughtful and taci>
turn, bis spirit was no more with the
play, and he lost all be had ever before
| won.
The thoughts of o-morrow-that terri
BILE morrow-frightened him. How much
his adversary would have the advantage
over him.
| Suffering with so much caimuess series
of affronts! Proposing duel with that
| firmness, that assurance, imperturable sang
.froid. Bravery and skill was surely his.
| Such were the ideas that crowded into his
mind.
On leaving the hall they separated With
| the promise to meet at the hour Indicated. :.
| At seven o'clock they met; the English
man was already at the rendezvous, clad in
| the brilliant uniform of the superior officer
of the navy Of his country. covered with
many decorations, and followed by valet
richly dressed, vino carried a small casket
under his arm. He offered them refresh
ments, and proved himself to be high
minded and acquainted with the ways Of
the world.
At eight o'clock he broke up the sitting,
and requested the Pruss,an officer to lie so
kind as to designate the place where the
quarrel should be settled, adding that as
he was a stranger in the place, he would
willingly give him the choice.
They then repaired to vast pastursge
which lay between Hamburg and Alton
Arrived there he said:
What distance will suit your"
Twenty five PAGES"
I" That is too much, Monsieur. You could
not hit at that distance. Let us say fifteen
that is enough"
The witnesses agreed, and the PROPOSE
ton was adopted. Meanwhile the Major
observed to the Captain that be had no
| second.
at is unnecessary" replied the Cap
tain. "If fall, my valet knows what to
do"
| The Major insisted. and showed him that
it was contrary to the usages of the coun
| try; according to that morality the duel
could not take place; but he offered, with
politeness, to allow it to proceed, which
offer was accepted.
The ground was measured, and they
took their places The Captain, address
ing his adversary, asked this singular
| question:
Have you got good pistolsf because l
have two that never miss their mark! |
will give the proof"
Calling his valet. he opened the box and
took one of the pistols which it contained,
and told him to throw up something iu the
air. The valet searched in his pocket,
but could find nothing save his handker
, chief.
That is too large; find something
else"
He then took out a dried prunc and
showed it to him.
THAT will do; throwi'
The fruit was thrown up, and instantly
it was shattered to atoms.
At this proof of his skill, the astonish
ment of the spectators was at its height; as
to the Lieutenant, he was more dead than
alive.
The Captain then took the place assigned
to him, inviting the Lieutenant to fire at
Lin. The Major, then stepping in between
the combatants, opposed the Lieutenant's
firing first, saying:
The usage of the country gives the of
Tended the first shot; and for the second,
chance will decide"
All, my dear Major" repeated the
Captain, % if complied with your advice,
Monsieur would not have the pleasure to
use his pistol on man; and am certain,
Judging from the appearance, that he has
never been tempted to seriously promise
himself that enjoyment. Therefore, let
come what may, nevertheless, will that
these gentlemen, xho enjoyed themselves
at my expense yesterday and instead of
hindering their comrade from being guilty
Of such folly, only laughed at my distress,
shall, one after the other, gaze into the in
terror of my pistols"
Monsieur, aim accurate. Woe unto
you il you miss me, for will not m iss you;
you will cease to exist"
They insisted no longer The Lieuten
ant aimed, and the Captain cried,
It's too high"
The explosion was heard, the bullet graz
ing the top Of his head.
My turn now, young extravagant =
Yesterday l was, for one hour, the play.
, thing for your raileries-yOur sarcasms. -
Without motive you insulted me; Knocked
and cursed me with humiliation. l was {
droll feIlow-a little schoolmaster. WIZ
am to day? A man! Who are you?-
A wretch, miserable po'troon. tremblin,
with fear Death, which in an instant vol
will receive from my hand, encircles yo,
:. with her sbadowt already her icy hand
is stretched over you'll Your Inns ar
; blanched with fear, your eyes troubled
your face is as pale as the sheet which vii
in few hours enshroud you! Your limb
refuse to support you Insolence and COW
ardice always go hand in hand that is al
-, we can expect of one of your stamp. Blu
: before you go to the other world, tell me
have you made all disposition for leavin
this? Have you not a parting sourenir t
give to q mother, father. sister, brother, o
d. one who is dear to you? | have here
. writing desk, aud l would accord to yo
q the few moments necessary for that pul
pose."
A "thank you, sir" very humble an
q hardly Ineligible, was all that could b
7 heard.
\ lin that case" said the Captain, off a
reconciliation between us here be low is i'm
possible, and that your blood can alon
wash out the affront which have received
\ implore, at least, by short and ferver
3 prayer, the goodness and the clemency
!. the Almighty"
y Then, the Lieutenant, taking his hat Of
). cast look at the mute and terrified wit
q nesses of this imposing scene, who all, wit
" one accord. spontaneously uncovered thei
A heads. During a moment there reigned
n that group solemn and religious silenc,
,e which was not broken. save by the respir,
II ton Of those assembled.
At length, taking up his pistol an
10. pointing it with resolution toward his OF
i ponent, he made him suffer for anoths
3 minute, the most intense agony. But a
4 at once, as if by effect of sudden reflection
. be turned himself quickly towards his vale
e and gave him the pistol, saying, with I'll
8 gesture, accent and smile of hatred:
: Here, take this pistol; that officer
a not worthy Of English powder"
n The next day the Baron de v
disappeared from the country, aud his rei
- imeht never saw him more.
te =,