The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-01-06

-" 1t is unnecessary" replied the captain
IF fall, my valet knows what to do"
The major insisted, and showed him tha
1t was contrary to the usages of the country
according to that morality the duel could NO
- take place; but he offered with politeness, t.
allow it to proceed, which offer was accepted
The ground was measured, and they tool
their places. The Captain, addressing hi
y adversary, asked this singular question:
Have you got good pistols because
4 have two that never miss their mark w,l
give the proof" -a
Calling his valet, he opened the box ant
took one of the. pistols which it contained
and told him to throw up something in the
air. The valet searched in his pocket, bu,
could find nothing save his handkerchief
I" That is too large; find something else' y
He then took out dried prune and showed
1t TO him.
"that will do: throw ~
+ The fruit was thrown up, and instantly it
was shattered to atoms.
At this proof of his skill, the astonshment
4 OF the spectators vas at rs height as to the
Lieutenant, he was more dead than alive. q
The Captain then took the place assigned
to him, inviting the Lieutenant to fire at him.
The Major, then stepping in between the
combatants. opposed the Lieutenants firing
| first, saving,
"The usage. of the country gives the Of
Tended the first shot; and for the second,
chance viii decide
! "Ah, my dear Major,'' repeated the Cap
lain, I" if complied with your advice, Mon.
sieur would otlIave the pleasure to use his
pistol on a man: and am certain, Judging
from his appearance, that he ha. never been
tempted to seriously promise himself that
enjoyment Therefore, let co-le what NAV,
nevertheless, | will LA, these gentlemen.
who enJoved themselves at my expense yes
, .-serday and instead of hindering their COM
rade from being guilty of such folly, only
laughed ut my distress, shall, one after the
other, gaze Into the interior of my pistols
| Monsieur, aim accurate. Woe unto you
if you miss me, for will not miss you you
will cease to exist ~ .-
They insisted no longer. The Lieutenant
aimed and the Captain cried,
:. It's too high
| The explosion was heard the bullet graz
| ing the top of his head. IT.
My turn now, young extravagant! Yes
terday | was. for one hour, the plaything for
your railleries-your sarcssams. Without
motive you ii sulted me; Knocked and cursed
me With htC.i.iatioa. was a droil fellow
1 u
A man! Who are you A wretch, miss
cradle potroon, trembling with fear! Death,
which in an instant YOU will receive from my
hand, encircles you With her shadow AL
ready her lev band is stretched over vouE
Your lis are blanched with fear, your eyes
tTembled, your face is as pale as the sheet
which will in 4 few hours enshruud you
/ our limbs refuse to support you lnso!cnce
and cowariice ALWAYS 20 hand in hIud that
is all we car expect of one of your stamp.
But before You go TO the other world, tell NE,
have you made all disposition for leaving
this Have you not = parting So 'trentr to
Civ. TO a mother, father, sister, brother, or
one who is dear to you? | hare here writ
ing desk aud would accord 10 yoh Tie few
moments necessary for that purpose
\ thank you, SIR very humble and
hardly intelligIb!e, was all that could be
heard.
In that case" said the Captain, if all
reconciliation between us here bzlpw is i'm
por sible, and your blood can alone wash out
the affroni which / have received, implore,
at least, by short and iervent prayer, ihe
goodness aud the cleInency of the A Almighty
Then. the Lieutenant taking his hat of,
cast look at the mute and terrified witness
r5 of this inrO nag scene, who all, with one
! accord, spontaneously uncovered their heads.
Daring a moment there reigned in bat group
solemn and religious silence, which was
not broken, save by the respiration o. those
assembled.
At lenglh. taking up his pistol and point
ing it with resolution toward his opponent,
ne made him suffer Cor another minute, the
most intense agony. Blu, all at once, as il
II; effect of sldden reflection. he turned him.
self QUICK, towards his valet, and gave him
the pistol, saying. with the gesture, accent,
and smile of hatred
Here. take this pistol; that officer is not
WORTHY of English POWDER
The next day The Baron de v disap-
pearcl from the country, and his regiment
/ never saw him more. .--f ..1-~