The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-06-23
E DU E L.
fcoNCLuDEp.

be sent of by mysclerk in case I should fall
My property gave into Walkers charge
with instructions how TO dispose of IL.
When matters had been thus arranged. il
was well towards evening" and taking
ilgilt cane in my hand, walked out for n
breath of fresh air. lTIf
Net far from the camp were Morgan's
rails wild, romantic spot where the water
of the river tumbled overa huge bed of
broken rocks; and toward this spot | bent
my steps. Just above the falls was a bridge
OF logs, from which could be obtained one
OF the grandest scenes Which ever blessed
the eye ofan artist. As Preached the summit
OF an eminence near the falls. | saw a wO-
man and child standing upon the bridge.
but lost them for time, as | descended
into the shrubbery. was lust emerging
from the thicket when n sharp piercing cry
OF agony broke upon my ear. | spranp To-
the bridge, and there / saw the woman.-
alone.
She was wringing her hands and shriek
ing ike crazy creature. was not many
minutes in comprehending the truth, Be
low the bridge. floating on the troubled
waters. saw the child, its spreading gar
ments buoying it up; and could hear the
tiny voice calling mammal mammal
Ihere was not moment to be lost. The
child was going nearer and nearer to the
falls--nearcr and nearer to death II was
y learIul risk for me, for the chances were
that should be taken into the Kissing,
boiling surge beneath the rocks. But what
was tile risk to me thenp If died in the
river should not stand In the way of Ma
Jor EarwelIs bullet. | had better "A thou
sand times give up my life thus, than throw
II away In the duel. The woman saw me,
and appealed to me for help; but my coat
was OH before she discovered Inc, and in Il
moment was in the water. striking ont
with all my power.
The child was half way from the bridge
TO the falls when | started, but swan rap
luly, ana caught 1t just mt the point where
the waters began to gather for the plunge.
1t was u girl, not more than three or four
years old, with bright golden ringlets,
large blue eyes and n face like cherub.
She clasped her little arms about NV neck,
and called me papa"
''Oh, papa-good papa-don't let Kitty
go into the wicked place down therer'
With all my might held the child and
struck for the shore; but it was not to be.
l had been drawn into the swift current.
and no mortal could have withstood IT,
The prospect of tomorrow took from me all
fears for the present, and was more calm
and collected than might otherwise have
been. As soon as | realized that must 90
over the falls, turned every thought to
saving the child, for even in those few
short moments the darling had won
strangely and deeply upon my love.
Nearer and nearer, swifter and swifter
the roar of the mad waters growing Ionder
until at length the edge was reached
Close to my bosom bore the child. shield
ing 1t ms well as could, and in a moment
my eyes were closed beneath the boiling
HOOD. down-down-around like
a top-then away over the bed of smooth
rocks-and when finally opened my ewes
l saw the shore not far of, and quickly
discovered that | could stand upon nv
feet, with my head out of water.
Was the child safe?
They told me yes looked up and saw
the cherub smile, and then my brain whirl-
ed as IL had whirlcd-i in the nOodrAnd | sank
INTO the strong arms Of one of nv men.
quite dizzy and faint.
Whose child was IL?
"The nurse took it away replied my Or
derly, 'and 1t is alive and well''
But neither knew. The woman who had
1t in charge was n stranger, and anxiety
on my account had prevented their asking
many questions.
Ii was now eight o'clock, and | had been
i'll my quarters an hour. arose feeling
quite sore. and my left arm was so lame
that could not lift IL. took little warm
WINE ana ate light supper, and by ten
o'clock felt quite strong.
In the morning | felt sore and stiT, and
was forced to hang my left arm in sling.
walker when he came, suggested that
the duel he put off; but would listen to
no such propositions
a few glasses of wine made me feel BET
ter and believed my right hand would be
steady enough l.I
Al half-past six we took our pistols and
started for the place which was a secluded
spot on the river, about half mile below
the falls. felt somewhat fatigued when
reached the place, and was forced to call ON
my second for his whisky flask In a little
while the Major and Adjutamt made their
appearance, and suggested TO Walker that
! would like TO have the affair over as quick
though ! did not tell them so. He had
opened the pistol ease, and was taking out
The weapons when Mr.. .Bowkerapproached
IIs. fL i..
"Gentlcmen,p he said. ''Major Farwen
wishes TO speak before we proceed any fur
ther."
- am ready to listen" replied, ''only
let him be as brief rs possible"
Presently the Major came toward me.
'Captain," he said, with perceptible trem-
nlousness i'm his tone, II have challenged
you. and the arrangements are all made |
VIII stand where am and you may fire at
me-"
"Iou mean you will exchange shots"
'aid |.
w. MS ntlu, Il
,annot fire mt yOu.n
But sir, what means this P" cried in
lmaZement.
do you not know ?" he asked, seeming
.qually amazed
assured him that did not.
GU saved a human life last night"
"ies; ] saved a cherub."
"Do you know whose cherub IL was Y-
told him had not the least idea.
with quick movement he advanced and
Ook my hand. ..W
"Captain Willet" he exclaimed, with
trong emotion, ''that child was mine. You
nay have your shot, but would rather die
thousand deaths than raise my hand
gainst the preserver Of my precious dar-
ing"
! tried 10 make some reply. but l could
lot speak coherently. | had been growing
weaker and weaker, and my head was
vhirling. and the sound of rushing, Kissing
waters rang in my ears.
"Ah, the ordeal OF the falls was too much
or him /" l heard Walker say as he caught
nc in his arms,
''Captain, Captain, forgive and pardon
mel was 10 blame.'
So heard the Major speak. | pressed
lis hand and tried 10 smile.