The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-02-13

out brain. | tell you the game begins 10
tire me, and the foolish hilarity of our
comrades adds to my impatience, and hard
ly covers the murmurs ofindignation which
your conduct has provoked in ihe minds of
those present. Quit quit tell you il is
now time.n
After saying this he turned his back 10
! him, and withdrew into an adjacent hall,
whittier he was soon followed by his CON-
panions, who, by their thoughtless laughter
covered his reproaches. Seated around
the gaming table, they began to play. The
young lieutenant, Judging by the noise pro-
duced by his folly, hs forgotten the insult,
played desperately, and was winning large
ly. But an hour had scarcely elapsed when
| the man in black entered the hall of play,
and approached him, tapped him on the
shoulder, demanding private inierview-
The young lieutenant looking at him over
Lis shoulder, laughed in his face.
| "Monsieur Officer" said the man in
black, 81 am not schoolmaster, as you
were pleased TO call me. | demand of you
all satisfaction. /. is due to me, and
|
know well the means to obtain it. To NOR
row, at seven O'Clock | will wait for you
/ here; arm yourself with pistols %
! Our braggart, who. during this discourse,
! had risen to his feet, and had aternatiVely
become red and pale, gave no response ,bul
bow OF acquiesence, in the fear, no doubt,
that the emotions OF his voice would betray
his complete terror. The captain saluted
the rest Of the company, and Immediately
left TIE house.
With him went all the gayetY of the lieu
tenant. He became thoughtful and taci-
turn, his spirit was no more with The play,
and be lost all he had before won.
The thoughts of to-morIow-that terrible
morrow-frighle hlened him How, much his
adversary would have the advantage over
J him.
| Suffering with so much calmness series
of afron,s Proposing duel with that
firmness, that assurance, impertnrable sang
froidl Bravery and skill were surely his.
Such were the ideas that crowded into his
mind.
!. On leaving the hall, they separated with
the promise 10 meet at the hour indicated.
At seven O'Clock they met the En9lishman
was already al the rendezvous, clad in the
brilliant uniform OF a superior officer of the
navy of his country, covered with many
decorations, and followed by valet richly
dressed, who carried small casket under
his arm. He offered them refreshments,
which were accepted spoke with coure-
sy 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 Prussian officer to be SO
kind as TO designate the place where the
quarrel would be settled, adding that he
was stranger in that place, he would will
lingIy give him the choice.
They then repaired 10 vast pasiurage,
which lay between Hamburg and Allona.-
On arriving there, he asked
sWhal distance will suit you?"
! "Twenty FIVE PAGES"
s'That is TOO much Monsieur. You could
not hit me a: that distance. Let US say ff-
teen that is enough"
The witness agreed, and the proposition
was adopted. Meanwhile, The Major OBJ
served to the captain that he had no second.
''Ii is not necessary" replied the captain,
eli fall, my valet knows what to do"
The Major insisted, and showed him that
il was contrary to the usages of the country;
according 10 that morality the duel could
not take place; but he offered with polite
ness, to allow it 10 proceed, which offer
was accepted.
! The ground was measured, and they
took their places. The captain, addressing
s his adversary, asked this singular ques-
ton:
Have you good pistols because ! have
two pair that never miss their mark
will give you the proof"
Calling his valet, he opened the box and
took out one of the pistols which it contain
ed and told him to throw up something in
the air. The valet searched in his pocket,
but could find nothing save his handker
chief
'sThat is too large; find something else."
He then took out dried prune and show
ed il 10 him.
ssThat will do; throw %
The fruit was thrown up, and instantly it
was shattered TO atoms.
At this proof Of his skill the astonish-
meni of the spectators was at iIe 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 al
him. The Major, then stepping in be-
tween the combatants, opposed the Lien.
tenants firing first, saying
The usage OF the country gives the Of
Tended the first shot; and for the second,
chance will decideD
..Ah. my dear Major, replied The cant