Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-23

me by leaving this place., and thank God
that this has occurred 10 my own house. /
The officer ,defarted, but not before he
had acquainted the host that be was, ready
at any time 70 answer for the affront he
bad given. We did not doubt the .conse.
quences Of siich an affair, and already look
ed upon our companion as dead man. The
play continued for d short time but, feeling
that, after what had passed, Silvio could
not be in much humor for play, we dispers-
cd, each one to his quarters, where we oc-
cppied ourselves IN rejecting on the events
Of tho evening, and on the changes that
would ensue from vacancy. The next
morning, at the. mansgs, we were already
specnlating on the probability, of our COM
rade exlstences when he himself fappsarsd
among us we were all eager to know by
what lucky stroke OF fortune he, had esca-
ped. 10 our questions, be answered that he
had not, asyet, received any communica-
tion from Silvio. This very much astonish,
ed US, We went to. him soon after. and
found him in the yard, sending ball after ball
into card which he had nailed to the great
doors at the entrance Of the yard. He re-
ceived us in his usual manner, but did not
mention word OF the occurrence of the pre-
vicus evening Three days passed by, and
one another in astonishment !. Is it possible
that Silvio will not fight? Sikio did not
fight; he contented himself very slight
explanation, and made friends. =,
The termination Of the quarrel produced
an immense effect upon our young minds. :
The want Of courage is excused by Young
people less than The lack Of any other Of
those qualities which excite their admira-
ton; for, courage they consider the most
worthy Of human virtues, and even q pallia-
ton for, AL possible failihgs. However. by
degrees, ths'whole affair was was allowed to pass s
.ascendency. s7'' pn'i''' - 80
For my own part, could no longer an an
,proach him with the same feelings of conf
dence and pleasure yithwhich I had hith-
erto DONE Naturally of romantic disposi-
tionfI at first felt an Irresistible inclination
towards this man, whose life was such rid
die, andwhom believed to be the hero of
some secret and tragical tale. Heliked me,
at least thought So forI alone was free
from the attacks Of bis never failing sarcasm
and he often conversed with ME on various
subjects with great freedom and extraordi-
nary gayety. But after that unfortunate
evening, the idea that his honor had been
compromised, and that he had taken no steps
to retrieve it, | could not shake off, and it
prevented me from behaving towards him
as | had formerly DONE Silvio was too
keen and experienced not to observe the
change in my behavior, and also to guess the
cause oft; and IL evidently vexed and pain
ed him. laG - 4i fit ,t'..
1.-The inhabitants of the capital and of 9th
er great cities have 40 idea of tts -sssany-
trifiing circumstances which produce an in.
credible infuencesoni the minds of rthose far
removed from the more civilized world, ms.
for instance, the anxietyanl excitement at.
tendant on post-days. On Tuesdays and
Fridays our Office was filed with cfficers,
some expecting letters, some money, Others
newspapers The fortunate recipient of a
packet ofthese last generally opened it on
the spot, and communicated the principal
news to an eager audience Tho ollice a,
such times presented a picture OF the nl,st
enlivening aud exciting character. Silyio
was generally found among US, for he re-
ceived his letters through our regiment. :
Que day he received packet. with the
greatest impatience he tore it open hisey
beamed with delight as he began to rur
over its contents. All the officers, being Ell
gagged in devouring the contents Of theil
respective letters, did not observe the inAu
ence which Silyio's correspondence had pro
duced on him. It was not long before b,
drew our attention by suddenly exclaiming
'sSirs, circumstances have rendered IN,
speedy departure necessary. | set off to
hight consequently, Thope you will not re
fuse to dine with me for tie last time.
shall expect you without fall said he turn
ing to ME. With these words, he hastil,
retired, and we, having all agreed 10 NEE
at his house, returned to our several duties
l arrived at Silvio's at the appointed
hour, and found almost the whole regimen
assembled He had already packed up al
his valuables; there remained scarcely any
thing but the bare perforated walls. w
sat down to the table. The host was in OK
1 traordinary spirits, and his good humor 500
| extended itself to all his guests The cork
were flying continually, the glasses wer
frothing and kissing necessarily, We dram
\ to- his success times out of numtiDf, an
showered over him our good wishes. '.
i z 1t was late in the evening when we ros
from the table. When Silvio had take
leave Of all, and We we're preparing to dc
part, he took me by the hand and led N
aside, aud said quiety:i''I wish to speak t
you. I1oT OH .g9mnnl ~ 1Ghi dfr- .ta T.
n, The guests left, and we remained alone
!. We sat opposite each other, aud for a lon
time smoked our pipes in silencej oSilvi
,I.was much embarrassed; niready hll traces
his convulsive merrimentl had disappeafe(
,, A deadly palenessv glistening eyes, and th
thick clouds fsWoke issuing from hismoutl
gave him the Appearance Of perfect fent
At last Sikio interrupted the silence.
,''Perhaps,eb lie said, s''we shall never SC
, each other again. ? Before we separated,
. wished 10 unburden myself onfa subject
: which the particulars are well known to so,
: You 'havsn no doubt observed that ! car
, very little forthe opinien Of others but 20
( love and respect, and ii would be yer
painful TO me to leave on your mind an
I, wrong impressions as to iny conduct on II
! occasion, to the particulars Of which ! ha,
Z just referred. El.bJo99A .la9l i1os,i,g I
He stopped, and began to .fill his pip,
y which had gone out Meanwhile, ] sat pc
: fectly silent, with M eyes cast on the grount
2 1T seemed strange, he continued, ''th
| did not demand satisfaction from th
| drunken, insolent Bodoif, You agree tina
z having by right the choice of weapons,
= life was in my hands, while was compar
!, lively free from danger. Icould ascribe N
!, moderation to senerosity, but do NOT Wis
= to deceive you.r II, / could. hase ipanisht
= him without exposing myselfto the sligh hte
-. II 1..s H. -