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

auu pIOFOhou tho Iuub bu'ei WI Hls Coul'
panions, considered himself violently in
suited, and iu the hight of passion, seized
brass candlestick which WAS near him,
and hurled it at Silvio, who barely sue.
ceeded in escaping the dangerous missile
Silvio rose up, his countenance grew pale
with rage, and with HashiugIeyes be said:
"Sir. oblige me by leaving this place. land
thank God that this has occurred in nv
own house."
The officer departed. but not before he
had acquainted the host that he was ready
at any time TO answer for the sffront he
had given. We did not doubt the conse.
quences Of such an affair, and already
looked upon our companion as q dead
man. The play continued for a short
time; but. feeling that, after what had
passed, Silvio conld not he in much hu.
NOR for play, VIC dispersed each one 10
his quarters. where we occupied ourselves
in rejecting on the events of the evening,
and on the changes that would ensuc from
a vacancy. The next morning, at the
manege, We were already speoulating on
the probability of our comrades exist
snce, when he himself appeared among US,
we were all eager to know by what lucky
stroke OF fortune he had escaped To our
questions he answered that lie had not, as
yet, received any communication from
Silvio. This very much astonished us.
We went to him soon after, and found him
in the yard, sending ball after ball into a
card which he had nailed to the great
doors at the enterance OF the yard. He
received US in his usual manner, but did
not mention word OF the occurrence of
the preceding evening. Three days pas.
sad by, and the lieutenant was still alive
We asked one anothey with astonishmsnl:
Is it possible lha, Slvio will not fgh,?-
Silvio did not fight; be con.ented himself
with a slight explanation, and made
friends.
The termination of this quarrel pro-
duced an immense effect on our young
minds. The want Of courage is excused
by yodug people less than the lack of any
other of those qualities which excite their
admiration; Tor courage they consider the
most worthy of human virtues, and even
pallia'ion for all possible fuilings. How
ever, by degrees. the whole affair was al.
lowed to pass by, and SiIvio once more
acquired his former ascendency.
Fer my own part, ! could no longer ap
proach him with the same feelings Of con
fidence and pleasure with which | hat
hitherto done. Naturally of romanIi,
disposition, |. at first. felt an irresistible
inclination toward this man, whose lifi
was such a riddle, and whom l believed
to be the hero of some secret and tragica
tale. He liked me, at least | thought so
for l alone was free from the attacks o
his nevertsiliug sarcasm. and he Otter
conversed with me on various subject
with great freedom and extraordinar,
gaiely. Blu. after that unfortunate eve
ming, the idea that his honor had beef
compromised, and that he had taken III
steps to retrieve it. l could rot shake off
and it prevented me from behaving lowart
him as | had formally done. Siv;o wa
too keenAud experienced not to observ
the change in my behavior, and also t
guess ,he cause of it; and it ,videntl
vexpd aud panied him.
The inhabitants of the capital and O
other great cities have no idea of the ma
ny rIfing circumstances which produc
an incredible influence ou the minds c
those far removed from the m ore eivilize
world, as, for instance. the anxiety an
; excitement attendant on post days. o
Tuesdays aud Fridays. our Office was Il
led with officers, some expecting letters
some money. others newspapers. Th
fortunate recipient Of a packet of thes
, last generally opened it on the spot, an
, communicated the principal news to a
, eager audience. The Office at such time
f presented picture Of the most enlver
ing and exciting character. Silvio WI
, generally found among us,ior he receive
his letters through our regiment. Or
! day he received packet; with the grea
5 est impatience he tore it open; his ey,
beamed with delight as he began to RI
over its contents. All the officers, ber
q. engaged in dovouring the contents of the
a respective letters, did not observe the il
o fuence which Silvio's correspondence hi
produced on him. 1t was not long b
fcre he drew our attention by sudden
/ exclsiming: "Sirs, circumstances ha
/. rendered my speedy departure neeessar
G | set off to night; consequently, l no
you will not refuse TO dine with mo (
h the last time. shall expect you witho
fail, said he. turning to me. With the
o words he hastily retired, and We, havil
e oil agreed to meet at his house. return
n 10 our respective duties.
l arrived at Silvio's at the appoint
70 hour, and found almost the whole re.
y mebt assembled. He had already pack
Il up all his valuableS; there remain
y scarcely anything but the bare perfol
3. ted wall We sat down to the tab
u The host was in extraordinary spiri
D. and his good humor soon extended its
,e to all the guests. The corks were fyi
". continually the glasses we're frothing q
I'd Kissing necessarily. We drank to
L. success times ou! Of number, and shove
ne ed over him our good wishes.
n. 1t was late in the evening when we re
ID from the table When Silvlo had tax
Of leave Of all. and we we're preparing to {
part, he took me by the hand and led
at aside, and said quietly: 81 wish to spt
er to you"
= The guests left, and we remained alo
We sat opposite each other, and for o 10