The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-10

DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO GARRoTE-ASoTHER
SHOOTING AFFRAY, AND SOMEBODY HURT.-lt Is
extremely gratifying to those who have the
reputation and honor of every class of the
community at heart, to find that n word OF
wellintended advice will produce some effect,
and, If the pains Of others could give US
pleasure, we should be overjoyed at chroniclng
at least one shooting fray in which somebody
trds hurt
At about l o'clock on yesterday morning,
Mr.. J. II. Paul, one of the carriers for the
Dispatch, was taking quiet walk in the
classic vicinity of Sidney, not so much for the
purpose of beholding the beauties of nature,
at that time EMBODIED in a particularly thick
veil, as that he might indulge his wondrous
fancy in imagining things which will ever re-
main invisible. Trees, fences, and chimneys
assumed CHASTITY and sepulchral shape; dark
shadows seemed to rise suddenly in the steps
Of the imperturbable Paul, but he, undaunted
and unmoved kept the uneven tenor of his
way.
What his thoughts were, no one can tell.
He may have been thinking of the long and
arduous duty that would soon be before him,
he may have been ponderng on shooting trays,
and determining what his big heart would
do in n similar case besides it's customary
beating. However this may be, he did at last
observe three tall forms in front-not trees, or
rails, or chimneys-but three walking,
talking, cursing animals, wearing the garb of
Federal soldiers. LOh Uncle Sam, how many
crimes are committed in thy name ! When
the men in blue-not buckram-saw Paul the
Fearless approaching, they deployed into line
with majestic step, and then advanced. When
the centre had come up to within fifteen yards
of Paul, the Fearless, the right and left wings,
of one man in blue sack, being about fifteen
PAGES distant, the centre halted, and in rough
and rugged tones, but with mincing voice,
cried, " What time Of the night is it, nly j,renile
friend 7' Paul the Fearless had watched the
approach of the line His blood was on fire,
but his swelling courage made his nerves like
iron and his throat like brass. Composedly
he replied, " Friend! HE said friend TO fool
'eml k1l01r not, boa meutinkS il is, ladyh0D one
or hCo hours 5eyond the 1oitctiag Midnight time"
This was more than the Centre could bear,
but the Right Wing, irate, and foaming with
terrible rage, shouted forth this defiance,
" You are n ---, dnd tULat are you doing here
nny ho,g - at the same time picking mp stone
of tremendous dimensions.
Inc movement OF tne DIle Leu w ing was
watched by Paul the Fearless. With indomi-
table yalor he faced the foe. There was no
stick nor stock, nor tree nor sapling, to protect
his head or his hair, or anything that was his;
but he was not appalled,, for was not the
honor of the corps of carrier at stake
The Right Wing hurled the rock with terri
BILE force, but Paul the Fearless moved not,
lodged not, and was not hit. No,c, cried he,
is my time! GtiiF! lcho ,couidSt rob PduL to
pay Peter? thus ! dt$pntct thee! So saying, he
calmly drew his pistol-without hurting his
thumb--took deadly aim-without place on
which TO rest his weapon-and deliberately
fired. Right Wing howlcd spranS into the
air, clapped his hand to a part of his body,
and ran off at the top of his speed, closely fol-
lowed by the Left Flank and Blue Centre.
Paul the Fearless pursued the foe with
shouts of fury and victory; but, alas the
lock Of his pistol was out of order, and he
could not fire again. He then returned TO the
scene of battle, and would have taken the
diameter of the "pool Cf gore' but that the
night was so dark that it could not be found
Paul then wended his weary way down town.
True yalor is modest, and scarcely one of the
many subscribers along Paul's beaten track
knew of the fearful blood. curdlng peril
through which the hero had passed But JUS
tice requires that honor should be given the
brave. HooRAY