The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-06-22

mel Dau gone home sick, aud so the COM
mand deyolyed on our Major, whose name
was Farwell. He was amiddle-aged, dash
ing fellow, given to social enjoyment, and,
as a general thing keeping on pretty
| friendly terms with those around him. He
was naturally free and easy--a fine soldier
and strich discipIiharian. He was Kind
hearted and generous man. though troubled
with temper that led him into trouble at
| times.
Major Farwell had beon In command but
u few weeks, when he concluded to send for
| his wife to come and stayiwith hin through
the summer. He had comfortablea and COM
modious quarters, and there was little dam
| ger that the Indians would make another
attack. was ON u fOraging expedition
when Mrs. Farwell arrived: but returned
on the following day, and was in season to
attend the party which the Major gave on the
occasion. The officers and line officers, not
kept away on duty, were all present and
Joy and merriment ruled the hour.
Mrs. Farwell was younger than her hus-
band, d portly woman, bearing herselfwith
peculiar grace and dignity, without any eff
fort or show at affectation. She assumed
no needless reserve, but treated her guests
with kindness and consideration, seemingly
only anxious that all should feel at home
and enjoy themselves.
| In that far oil region the laws of total alb
I stinence were not strictly adhered to;
| anu Ol Ilt DTtStHb OCCASION We not ONLY
emptied many bottles of wine, but several
bottles of old Bourbon were included in the
bill OF fare. Towards midnight the ladies
withdrew, but the officers were not quite
ready to retire. The Major was in the
highest spirits. and song and story, with
flowing goblets, gave us occupation.
BY and by | proposed a toast, Mrs. Ma
| Jor Farwell, and it was drank with three
hearty cheers. Why In the world the Ma
jor should have taken oilense, | could not
comprehend; but he did so, and intimatrd
that had better not make too free with his
wifes name.
"Egad " replied. without stopping to
weigh my words, "if you must have your
handsome lady as sacred as that, you ought
not to have brought her out here.n
Captain Willott" he cried, rising to his
feet, aft you breathe the lady's name again.
I'll kick you from my quarters"
had started from my seat when Lieut..
Walker, who was sitting by my side, pulled
me back.
"Zounds I" he uttered, in n hurried whis-
per, 'Slent say another word. The Major s
mad, and he's a bit jealous too. Can't you
see 10 ?'' g uua'iI = -. fiIH
AS Walker spoke, IL flashed upon me that
Mrs. Farwell had been very attentive to
me. She had danced with me four or five
times. and she had promenaded with me
upon the piazza.
But could not bear such language as
Major Farwell had addressed to me, and in
spite of my friends remonstrance, / retorted
upon him. My blood was heated with
whisky, and | cared no more for my com
tmanding officer at that time, than would
have cared for a drummer boy.
by, sir!' ] replied with an oath. which
lneed not repeat; '.you would have n fine
time kicking me out! Perhaps you had
| The Major sprang towards me and caught
| me by the collar. | thought mt the time
that he meant to strike me; but was sub
sequently convinced that he did not. But
| struck him upon the cheek with the fiat
With Kissing oath he drew pistol from
his pocket, but before he could use it the
Adjutant caught his arm, and three or four
of my friends hurried me from the room,
and led me tony own quarters. r
On the following morning | awoke with
any thing but pleasant feeling, and when
i remembered what had transpired during
the previous night, felt wretehed enough.
cursed the Wine cup and the whisky bot
tie from the bottom of my heart and in
wardly resolved that ] would touch the
stun no more. still, was forced to take a
still hot toddy to steady my nerves, and
after had dressed myself, sat down to "A
cup of coffee. | was thus engaged, when
our Adjutant Mr.. Bowker, entered my
quarters, ! babe him good morning, and
asked him if he would not take some break
fast with me.
Not now" said he, shaking his head.
81 have called upon business. DO you re
member that yon struck the. Major last
night ?"
Yes, remember livery well-remem-
| Der IL too we'll"
'.Iie expects you viii make an apology"
pursued the Adjutant.
And If do notg" t..
Then you must fight him"
you were present, Bowker' during the
entire scene ~
| "Ies."
'Then wish you to tell me the truth, for
| | am free to confess that my brain was on
n bit ofa whirl last night. First did |, in
my toast 10 Mrs. Farwell give him the least
occasion of ill-feeling r1r.I7f..
81 could see none, Captain; but you re-
member he had been drinking"
EXACTLY, and in that we were even. And
now-did he not, in the presence, of the
whole company-threaten 10 kick me from
his quarters ?"
Yes"
sand did he not lay his hand upon me
before struck himS"
II cannot be positive, but think he did"
"rhen," said |, drinking the last of my
coffee, II shall make no apology"
sNou will remember, Captain, that the
Major IL dead shot and that In tho hand
ling of sword he has no equal" suggested
BOwker,
~ care nothing about that" knew the
temper of our officers, and l knew that |
should be held in light esteem II allowed
the Major TO back me down. Once more
Bowker asked me IL would apologize.
iOld him most emphatically, NO"
Then" he added, II have instructions TO
deliver this note
He handed me an unscaled missiye, which
u fnntAA 10 la |ol,all..nsr. A,~t n 4