The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1865-07-22

have cared for our drummer boy.
"By--, sir" | exclaimed, with
an oath which | need not repeat
here, you would have fiue time kick.
ing me out Perhaps you had better
try it now
The major sprang towards me, and
caught me by the collar. | thought at
the time that he meant to strike me, but
! was subsequently convinced that he
did not But [ struck him-l struck
him on the check with the fiat Of my
hand. With Kissing oath he drew
pistol from his pocket, but before he''
could use it, the adj jutant caught his arm
and thee or four Of my friends hurried
me from the room, and led me away to
my own quarters.
On the following morning [ awoke
with anything but Il pleasant fe cling,
and when | remembered what had trans
pircd during the previous night, | felt
wretched enough, [ cursed the wine
cup AMI the whiskey bottle from the
bottom OF my heart, aud inwardly re,
solved that | would touch the stuff no
more. Still | was forced to take a stiff,
hot toddy, to steady my nerves, and af-
ter ! had dressed myself, | sat down to
A cup OF coffee. was thus engaged
wheu our adiutant. Lieutenant Bowker,
entered my quarters, bade him gooG
morning, asked him if he would not
| take breakfast with me.
Not now," said he, shaking his head,
Il have called upon business. All,
captain, this is bad affair. Do you re
member that you struck the major last
night?o
Ies-I remembered it very well-I
remembered it too well.
ole expects you to make an apology
pursued the adjutant.
"And if | do not p
"fhon you must fight him"
"Hou were present, Bowkcr, during
the whole scene.
yes"
"Then / wish you tell me the truth,
for ] am free to confess that my brain
was on bit of a whirl last night.
First, did | in my toast to Major Far
wells wife, give him the least cause for
i'll feeling ?'
Il could see none, captain but you
must remember that he had been drink
ing"
"Exactly-aud in that we were even,
And now-did he not, in the presence
OF the whole company threaten to kick
me out FROM his quarters ?"
"Ycs."
"And did he not lay his hand upon
me before | struck him ?"
81 cannot be positive, but think he
did
"Then," said l, drinking the last Of
my coffee. 81 shall make an apology"
"You will remember" suggested
Bowker, "that the major is 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 that should be held in light es-
teem ic allowed Major Farwcll 10 back
me down. Once more Bowker asked
me if | would apologize.
| told him most cmphatically, "No."
"Ihen he added, II have instruc.
tions to deliver this note"
ale handed me an unsealed missive,
which I found to be a challenge and by
it was informed that Adiutant Bowkcr
was empowered to make all the necessa-
rs arrangements, My warmest friend
in the regiment was a first Lieutenant.
named Walker aud | sent for him at
once, desiring him to act as my second.
At first he tried to dissuade me FROM
fighting, but when he found that
would not retract, he consented to serve
me, though | could see very pliuly that
he liked not the business, He asked
me ii I had any instructions to give
him.
"Only two items" / replied. First {:
] | will fight with pistols, aud, Second {:
+ As my nerves are somewhat unstrung,
| would like that the affair be put off
till tomorrow morning"
Walker went out with the adiutant,
and when he returned, he informed me
that the arrangements were all made
! We were to meet at seven o'clock to.
morrow morning-weapons, pistols-dis
tance, twelve paces-our seconds to toss
for choice Of position-to fge at the
word OF command,
After dinner | sat down alone to ar,
rauge my affairs. wrote several letters
which sealed and enclosed in single
envelope, to be sent off by my clerk in
case | should fall. My property I gave
into Walkers charge, with instructions
to dispose of it. When matters lad
been thus arranged it was well towards
evening, and taking light cane in my
hand, walked out for breath Of fresh
air. Not far from the camp were Nor
gan's Falls, a wild, romantic spot,
where the water of the river tumtled
over huge bed of rocks; and towards
this spot | bent my steps. Just above
| the falls was hridpe oC Loo C.o,,