East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1862-02-11
TO- EAST SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, FEBRUARY H. 1862

for, six years sgo, received al insult
and my enemy is still alive" ~,
My curiosity was excited To the utmost
'Thcn you did not fight with hiInY in
CURED I. circumstances must have
prevented you?'r ,t,.-.....s,..,
Il did fight with him; and here is
something which will bear witness of the
affair, he answered, ~
SiIo rose, opened small box, and
took from it a red cap. 1t was orna-
mented with tassel made of gold fringe
and trimmed with galloon. He put it on,
and / observed that it had been shot
through at about an inch aud a half from
the forehead.
'You know, he said, that served in
the - Hussars; you know. also, my
character. In whatever society l have
been even thrown, have always been
the ruling genius. From my youth up.
it has been my prevailing passion to be
pre-emineut In my younger days, ex-
travagance of conduct was in vogue; ir-
regularity and widness Of behavior was
the day; aud in this l was second to none
in the army. We boasted of drunken.
ness. I drank deeper than Bacchus him
self. Duels were constantly taking place
in our regiment, and on every occasion
acted either as second or principal. My
companions idolized me; and although
my proceedings were not openly counten-
anced by the commanders, was looked
on as necessary evil. -Hi
Il was reveling, with feeling Of un-
disputed security, in the enjoyment of
my acquired reputation, when q young
man of very rich aud celebrated family
was appointed to a vacancy in the regi-
meni. Never before or since have met
with such brilliant prodigy of fortune.
Imagine to yourself man in the flower
of youth, intelligent, possessing most
handsome exterior, unboundad gaiety,
courage the most daring, high-sounding
name, and riches OF which he himself did
not know the extent, and you may form
some idea of the feelings with which
regarded rival who possessed sach pre-
ponderating advantages; it was not lnng
before began to feel that my fancied
security was only delusion; my popu-
Iarity began to decline. Influenced by
the high opinion entertained of me the
new arrival at first sought to cultivate my
acquaintance but as / received him
coolly, he had, without any apparent re-
gret, left me to myself. thoroughly
hated him; his success in the regiment,
aad especially in the society Of the ladies',
drove Inc to desperation. l endeavoret
tn 6nd quarrel with him. / wrote epi
grams to those he replied, with epigrams
which always appeared to me more unex
pected aud much sharper than my own,
and which were certainly incomparably
leveler He jested; l retorted with al
irritation which could not control.
AT last, we both happened to be at a
hall given by a Polish gentlemen. Here
| saw him the centre of attraction of the
whole of the lalies, aud, above al, l saw
the hostess assiduous in her attentions
towards him; all seemed to render him
homage; all attention seemed directed tn
him alone. A comparison of my present
position with what it had been not long
ago was sufficient. My resolution wa
taken; and meeting with him afterwards
in side room, whispered into his eal
some meditated insult. He few into Z
raye, and struck me a blow in the face
we drew our swords; then followed seen,
Of confessions; the ladies fainted, the gen
tlemen separated Us, and we hastenec
that very night to settle the dispute in 9
more satisfactory manner.
1t was at daybreak that arrived al
the appointed spot, with my three sec
onds. With the utmost impatience,
awaited the appearance of my opponent
The sun had risen, aud it was already
getting hot, VIXEN saw him in the dis
tance. He was coming on foot, accom-
panied by one assistant. We hastened
to meet him, and as wo approached,
saw that his cap, which he held in hi
hand, was filed with cherries. The sec
onds measured twelve PAGES. 1t was NJ,
place to fire first; but | was so agitate,
with the desire OF revenge, that fel
there was no dependence on the accurac,
of my aim; so in order to gain tim'
enough to cool my fcvered brain, pro
posed that he should take the fist shot
to this he would not agree; we wer,
therefore obliged to cast lots. He, tn
ever fortunate, drew the lucky number
We resumed our places; he took his aim
fire'l, aud sent his bullet through my cap
1t was now my turn; his life was at las
in my hands. gloated over my vict,u
with fiendish delight, and eagerl.
looked at him, endeavoring to catch j
only a shadow Of sgitatiou; bnt there h
stood stoically indifferent, helping hi,nscl
to the ripe cherries which he had brouyh
with him, and splitting the stones f,ou
his mouth with such force that several q
them reached the place where wa
standing
His cquanimity perplexed and enrage
me. OF what use is it, Thought I. to tr
to punish man who does not care a pi
whether he is dead or alive? ] rehecte
a moment, and lowering my pistol, sail
1T appears that you are very nnconcerne
about death inst now; perhaps you woul
like to take breakfast first; If so, hav
not tho slightest wish to disturb you.'
"You do not disturb me in the least
said he. Fire, il you please; aud if yo
do not wish to fire now you can reserv