Ellsworth American., 1866-04-20


"Exactly-and in that We were even.
And now-did he not, in the presence of
the whole company. threaten to kick me
from his quarters p
Yes"
"And did he not lay his hand upon me
before struck him ~
II cannot be positive, but think he
did"
Then" said I, drinking the last of my
coffee, II shall make no apology"
"You will remember Captain" suggest
ed Bowker, "tl,at the Major is dead
shot, and that in the handling of sword
he has no SUPERIOR
II care nothing about that" knew
the temper of your officers, and knew
should he held in light esteem if allowed
the Major to back me down. Once more
Bowker asked me if I would apologize.
l told him most emphatically, no"
Them" he added, II have instructions
to deliver this note"
He handed me an unsealed missive. which
I found to be challenge, and ny it was
informed that Ad djutant Bowkcr was en-
powered to make all necessary arrange
ments.
vi! ""I"'es' ''ieh" !" VIC IeSiihcnt was
young Lieutenant named walker ana
sent for him at once desiring him to act as
my second. At first he tried to dissuade
me from fighting, but when he found that
| would not retract, he consented to serve
me though could see plainly that he liked
not the business. However, he asked ME
if had any instructions to give him.
"Only two items" replied. First |
Will night with pistols and second us my
nerves are somewhat unstrung, | would
like that the affair beput oft till Tomorrow
morning"
Walker went Oft with the Adjutant. and
when he returned he informed lne that the
arrangements were all made. We were to
meet at seven O'Clock III the morning
weapons pistols-distance twelve PAGES
our seconds to toss Tor 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 envelope,
to he sent off ny my clerk IN case should
lall. Ny property l gave INTO W aiker's
charge, with instructions how to dispose OF
1t. When matters had been thus arranged
1t was well toward evening, and taking
light cane in my hand, walked out for
breath Of fresh air.
Not far from the camp were Morgans
Falls. wild, romantic spot, where the wa
ter OF the river tulnblcd over huge bed OF
broken rocks; and towards this spot bent
my steps. just ahove the falls WAS
bridge OF logs from ve'ieh could be obtain
td one OF the gfah"est scenes that ever
blessed the eye oi an artist. AS reached
the summit OF an eniilchce near the tails,
saw woman and child standing upon the
bridge; but lost thrin inf ti'ne' lis l de
scendea INTO tne siiroooef!' l was Just
emerging from 'he ti''eNe, "hch IL sharp
piercing cry OF agony "r"ke upon, my ear
sprans t" the bridge ana there SAW the
wonii'ii-aiohe'
she was wf'ns'ns her hands and shrek
ing IKE crazy creature l was not many
minutes IN compromising the truth Be
low the bridsc il"at'ns on the troubled WA
tcrs ! saw the cilid' Its spreading garments
buoylns 1t up; and could hear the tiny
voice calling mamma mamma
mere was not moment I" De lost -
l he c,,'id was gong nearer anu nearer 10
thc IaiJs--l~arer an" nearer 10 aca'h IL
was ieariui FISK Tor me- lof the chances
were that should DC taken over INT" the
Missing po'ilhs surge neiealh tIle rocks:-
but what was the FISK ior me theh IL
died IN the river l should not stand IN the
way OF MAYOR far"eii nuiiet. nad pet
ter thousand tunes give up my me thus
than throw 1t away IN the duel Inc wo-
man say me- ana appealed TO me Tor help;
but my coat was OIL before she discovered
me, ana IN moment was III the water
striking ont WIN an my power.
The child was hall way from the bridge
to the falls when 1 started; but swan
rapidly, ami caught 1t just at the point
where the waters began to Sathsr for the
plunge. 1t was Sirl not more than three
or four years old with bright golden ring
let's large blue eyes aud IA lace like cher
nb. She ciasped her little arms about my
neck, and called me papa"
'O papa-Sood Papa-don't let kittv so
into the wicked place down there -
With all my might held mp the child.
and struck Tor the shore; but it was not to
be. ] was drawn into the swift current.
and no mortal eon'd have witlistood 1t
The prospects OF the morrow took from me
all fears for the present and was more
calm than might otherwise have been.
As soon as | realized that | must so over
Tue 'ails .urneo ever, 'ionsht 10 SAVING
'"e .'''J' u, ~, .ren ~ 1"ose ''W sno'. i'o,
ihenis' 1t 1nc ua,,."s ,''' "oh stranger! ana
"eSP. "po" ny ~ .;c.
the roar Of the mad waters orow;ur l"n1cr
and louder , nnta n, length ,ha .doe yyas
reached, Close to nv bosom ! 5ore the