The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-08-17

"Zonnds he uttered, in whisper,
doh't say another word. The Major is
mad, and he's bit jealous, too. Can't you
see it2
As Walker spoke, il flashed upon me
that Mrs. Farwell had been very attentive
to me. She had daiced with mo four or
five times, aud had promenaded with me
upon the piazza.
But could not bear such language as
Major Farwell had addressed to me, aud in
spite al my friends remonstrauce, retorted
upon him. My blood was heated with
whisky, and cared no more for the com.
manding officer at the time, than | would
have cared fer drummer. boy.
By Heaven, sir" replied, d" you would
have fine time kicking me out Perhaps
you had better try it nowl"
The Major sprbng towards me and caught
me by the collar. | thought at the time
! that he meant to strike but | was subse.
quently convinced that he did not. But
struck him upon the cheek with the fat of
the hand.
With kissing oath, he drew pistol
| from his pocket, but before he could use il
the Adjutont caught his arm, and three or
flur of my friends hurried me to my own
! quarters.
On the following morning, ! awoke With
anything but a pleasant feeling when re-
membered what had transpired during the
previous night. | felt wretched enough,
| curse the wine cup and the whisky
bottle from Il Q ho tom of my heart aud in-
wardly resolved would to lch the stuff no
more. Sill, was forced to take stiff hot
toddy to steady my nerves and after had
| dressed myself sat down to a cup of cofe .
| was Tins engaged when our Adiutant,
| r m I kn 10
him good morning, and asked him if he
would not take some breakfast with me.
"Not now" said he, shaking his head.
Il have called upon business. All, Cap
tain, this is bad affair. Do you remember
that you struck the Major last night?"
Yes, | remember it very well-rcmem-
her it too well''
He expects you to make an apology,
| pursued the Adjutant.
Aud if do not
"Then you must fight him"
You were present, Bowker, during the
| entire scene?"
Yes.'
"Then wish you to tell me the truth
| for | am free to confess that my brain. was
on bit of whrl last uight. FIRST; did
| in my toast to Mrs. Farwell give him the
least occasion of illfeeling ?"
could see hone, Captain; but you re-
member he had been drinking"
Exactly-Ond in that we were even
And now-did he not, in tho presence o
the whole company, threaten TO kick me
from his quartels?"
"Yes"
Aud did he not lay his hand upon m,
before struck him :? q"
cannot be positive, but think he did. ;
| q I IL, Il; Is
coffee, " shall make no apology
You will remi m e., Capt, n suggested
Bowker, " that the MAJ ior is dead shot, ant
that in the handling of sword he has nc
superior"
& | care nothing about that" kr thu
temper of the officers, and knew SHOULD
be held in light esteem if allowed the
Major to back me down. Once more Bowker
asked me if / would apologize.
told him most emphatical "No."
Then" added, :" l have instructions t(
deliver this note.p
He handed me an unsealed missive, which
l found to be a challenge, and by it wal
informed that Adjutant Bowkcr was EN-
powered to make all necessary arrange
ments.
My warmest friend in the regiment wa,
a First Lieutenant named Walker, and
sent for him at once, desiring him to act as
my second. At first he tried to dissuadt
me from fighting, but when he found
would not retract, he consented to serve
me, though could see very plainly that hi
liked not the business. However, he asked
me if had any Instructions to give him.
:" Only two items" | replied. First,
will fight with pistols; and second as my
nerves are somewhat unstrung, would
like the affair to be put of till Tomorrow
morning.
| Walker went off with the Aljutant ant
when he returned informed me that the ar
rangments were all made. We were tC
meet at O'Clock the following morning
weapons, pistols-distance, twelve PAGES
our seconds to toss for choice of position
to fire at the word of command.
After dinner sat down TO arrange my
affairs. | wrote several letters, which
sealed and enclosed in single envelop, tC
he sent off by my clerk in case should fall
Ny property gave into Walkers charge
with instructions how to dispose of it
When matters had been thus arranged, i
was well toward evening, and taking a cane
in my hand walked out for breath o
fresh air. .H
Not far from the camp were Morgan
u
water of the river tumblcd over huge
bed of broken rocks; and towards this spo
bent my steps. Just above the falls was
bridge of logs, from which could be viewer
one Of the grandest scenes that ever blessed
the eye of an artist. As reached the sum
init of an eminence near the falls, saw {
woman and child standing upon the bridge
but lost them for o time, as | descended
into the shrubbtry. was just emerging
from the thicket when sharp, piercing cry
of agony broke upon my ear. sprang TO the
bridge, and there saw the woman--alnne
She was wrnSing her hands and shrek
ing like crazy creature. was not many
moments 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 ih'
tiny voice calling F" Mamma! Mamma
There was not moment to be lost. The
child was going nearer and nearer to- thC
falls--nearer and nearer to death! 1t wal
fearful risk for me, for the chances were
that should he taken over into the kissing
boiling surge beneath the rocks. But wha
was the risk TO me then? If died in th'
river | should not stand in the way o
Major Farwelps bullet. | had better
thousand times give mp my life thus, thai
throw it away in the duel. The woman
saw me, and appealed to pe for help; bu
my coat was off before she discovered me
and in moment ! was in tho water, strll
ing oIt with all my power.
The chill was half was from the bridg
to the falls when started but ! swan
Ia ftt9k or moi