Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-07-28

breakfast with me.
"Not now," said he, shaking his head
IL have called upon business. All, Cap
tain, this is o bad affair. Do you re
member that you struck the major las
night ?"
Yes-I remember it very wcll-re
member too we'll.
"He expects you will make an apology,
pursued the adjutant.
"And if | do not? ?"
Then yon must fight him."
"You were present, Bowker, during
entire scene p
YES"
Then wish you to tell me the truth
for | am free to confess that my brain
was on bit Of Il wbirl last night
First did [, in my toast to Mrs. Far
well, give him the least occasion for i'll
ieeling?'
IL could see none, captain but you
that he had been drinking ?
"Exactly-and in that we were even
And now-did he not, in the presence o.
the whole company, threaten to kick mt
from his quarters 7"
YES"
"And did he not lay his hand upor
me before | struck him ?'
IL cannot be positive; but think ht
did"
"Thcn," said l, drinking the last ol
my coffee, IL shall make no apology"
You well remember, captain" suggest
cd Bowkcr, "that the major is u dead
shot and that in the handling of the
sword he has no superior,
| cared nothing at all about that.
knew the temper of our officers, and
knew l should be held in light esteem i
allowed the major to back me down.
Once more Bowker asked nc if | would
apologize.
| told him most emphatically "No."
Then he added, Il have instructions
to deliver this note"
He handed me an unsealed missive,
which | found to be challenge and by
it l was Informed that Adjutant Bowkel
was empowered to make all necessary
arrangements.
My warmest friend in the regiment
was first lieutenant named Walker, and
| sent for him at once, desiring him to
act as my second. At first he tried to
dissuade nae from fighting; but when he
found that would not retract, he con
sentcd to serve me. though | could sec
very plainly that he liked Tot the busi'
ness. However he asked me if | had
any instructions to give him.
"Ouly two items" replied. II will
fght with pistols; and second; AS my
nerves are somewhat unstrung, would
like the affair to be pnt oil till tomorrow
Walker went out with the adjutant ;
and when he returned he Informed me
that the arrangements were all made
We were to meet at 7 O'Clock on the fol-
lowing Neutrality-suspicious., pistols-dis-
tance, II paces-our seconds to toss for
choice of position to fire at word OF
command.
After dinner I sat down alone to ar
range my affairs. l wrote several letters
which | sealed and enclosed in single
envelope, to be sent off by my clerk in
case l should fall. My property gave
into Walkers charge, with instructions
how to dispose Of it. When matters had
been thus arranged, it was we'll towards
evening, and taking light cane in my
hand l walked out for breath fresh
air.
Not far from the camp were Morgan's
Falls, wild, romantic spot, where the
water Of the river tualbled over huge
bed Of broken rocks; and towards this
spot | bent my steps. just above the
falls was bridge Of logs, from which
could be obtained one of the greatest
scenes that ever blessed The eye of an
artist. AS | reached the summit Of an
cminence near the falls, saw woman
aud child standing upon the bridge; but
| lost sight of them for time, as | de-
ccnded into the shubbery. l was just
emerging from the thickct, when a sharp,
piercing cry OF agony broke upon my ear
! sprang to the bridge, and there l saw
the woman-alone
She was wringing her hands aud shrick-
ing like crazy creature. was not
many seconds in comprchcnding the
truth. Below the bridge, floating on the
troubled waters l saw the child, It's
spreading garments buoying it up; and
could hear the tiny voice calling. "Mam-
ma. Mamma :"
There was not moment to lose. The
child was going nearer and nea:er the
falls--nearcl and nearer TO its death
1t was fearful risk for me; for the
chances were that should be taken over
into the kissing, boiling furoe below the
rocks. But what was the risk to me
then? If die in the river l shall not
stand in the way of Major Farwell's bu!-
let. had better a thousand times give
up my life thus than throw it away in the
duel, The woman saw me, and appealed
to me fer help; but my coat was off be-
fore she had discovered me. aud in a
moment l was in the water, striking out
with all my power.
The child was half way from the bridge
to the falls when started; but | swan
rapidly, and caught it just at the point
where the waters began to gather for the
plunge. 1t was girl not more than
three or four years old, with bright goldor
large blue eyes, and face like
a cherub. She casped her little arms
about my neck, and called me Papa
20 papa. papa-good papa-don't LEI
Kitty 60 into the wicked place down