The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1862-01-16

Before we separated, wished to unbur
den myself on subject Of which the par
ticulars are we'll known TO you. You
have no doubt observed that / care very
little for the opinion Of others; but you |
love and respect, and it would he very
painful 10 me to leave on your mind any
wrong impressions as to my conduct on
the occasion. to the particulars of which
l have just referred"
He stopped. and began to Gil his pipe.
which had gone Out. Meanwhile. | sat
perfectly silent. with my eyes cast on the
ground.
at seemed strange" he continued I,
'that dii not demand satisfaction from
that drunken and insolsnt lieutenant. Bo.
dolf. You agree that having by right
the choice Of weapons, his life was in my
hsnds, while was comparatively free
from danger. could ascribe my mode
ration 10 generosity. but do not wish to
deceive you. If could have punished
him without exposing myself to the sligh.
test injury, | would not, on any consider.
alton, have allowed the matter to pass 80
easily" .....
| looked at Silvio with astonishment.
Such confession utterly confounded me.
He continued: "I reilly mean what say
Indeed; should not be jusl6able IN ex
posing my life to any danger, for six
years ago, received an insult, and my
enemy still lives"
My curiosity was excited to tho u
most. Then you did not fight with him?'
| inquired. circumstances must have
prevented you?"
Il did fight with him; and here is
something which will bear witness of the
affair."" be answered.
Silvio rose, opened small box, and
took from it a red cap. L. was orramen
ted with tassel of gold fringe, and trim
med with galloon. He put it on, and /
observed that it had been shot through
at about an inch and half from the fore.
( head. .s
, "You know" he said, "Ihat served
iu the -Hussars; you know also my
character. 10 whatever soci,ty l have
: been ever thrown, | have always been
| the ruling genious. From my youth up.
it has been my prevailing passion to be
r pre- eminent. In my younger days, ex.
, travagance Of conduct was in vogue, ir-
, regularity aud wildncss of behaviour was
the day; and in this | was second 10 none
in the army. We boasted Of drunken.
E ness. l drank deeper than Banchus him
SELF Duels were constantly taking place
D.. in our regiment, and on every occasion
= acted either as second or principal Ny
d companions idolized me, and although IN,
c proceedings were not openly countenan
e ced by the commanders, l was looked
3 upon as necessary evil.
l was reveling with feeling of undis
i puled security, in the enjoyment oil my
}, acquired reputation, when young mar
# of very rich and celebrated family was ap
n pointed to vacancy in the regiment
IS Never before or since have l met will
y such brilliant prodigy of fortune.
y Imagine TO yourself man in the flow
Ii er of youth; Intelligent, possessing
o most hands, me exterior, uhboundcd gal
+, ETY.. courage the most daring, higl
d sounding name, and riches of which h
ls himself did not know the extent, and yor
'e may form some idea OF the feeling witt
% which l regarded rival who possessed
y such preponderating advantage. 1t wa
not long before l began to feel that m.
IF iancied security was only a delusion; m
\. popularity began to decline. Influence
,e Ivy the high opinion entertained of me
Of the new arrival at first sought to cultvat
ID my acquaintance; but as l received hir
ID coldly, he had, without any apparent re
In gret, left me to myself. thorough
l. hated him. His succesG in The regiment
:, and especially in the society of the ladie
Ne drove me to desperation. l endeavore
SO to find quarrel with him. l wrote ep
I'd grams. To these he replied with epigrau
IN which always appeared TO me more Ut
es expected and much sharper than my ow
n and which were incomparably livelle
as He jested. l retorted with an irritatio
ed which could not control,
ne At last, we both happened to be at
IT. ball given by Polish gentleman. Hel
es | saw him the center OF attraction of tf
un whole OF the ladies, and above all, | So
NJ the hostess assiduous in her attenti t
cir ward him. All seemed to render hi
n homage; all sttentior seemed directed
ad him alone. A comparison Of my prese
TO- position with what it had been not lon
Ily ago was sufficient. My resolution W
we taken; and meeting with him afterward
y. a sideroom, | whispered into his ear son
pc meditated insult He flew into rag
Tor and struck me blow in the face; ,
nut drew our awords; chen followed scene
sse confusion; the ladies tainted, the gent
ng men separated us, aud we hastened th
led very night to settle the dispute in a mo
satisfactory manner,
led 1t was at dSybreak that arrived at t
gl- appointed spot, with my three secont
led With the utmost impatience await
led disappearance Ofmy opponent. The g
ra. had risen and 1t was already getting HI
lie. when | saw him in the distance. He W
Is; coming on foot. accompanied by one {
Ieli lendant, We hastened to meet him, a
ng as We approached, saw that his cs
lud which he held in his hand, was fill
his with cherries, The seconds measur
er. twelve PAGES. 1t was my place to
first, but l was 50 agitated at the desire
ose revenge. that l felt there was no de2er
Ken ence on the accuracy of my aim, so in
de. der to gain time enough to coolmy few