Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1866-05-23
REiDi FOB 4 DUEL.

onel had gone home sick, and so the com
mand devolved on our Major, whose name
was Farwel l. lie was \ middle aged, dash
ing fellow, given to social enjoyment. and
( as a general thing, keeping on very friend
I ~ terms with those about him tie was
II kind hearted and generous man, though
troubled with temper that led him into
error al times
Major Farwell had been in command
/ but lew weeks when he concluded to send
! Tor his wife to come and stay with him
through the summer. lie had comforc~
! able and connections quarters, and there
was little danger that the Indians would
make another attack.
! was on folaginr expedition when
/ Mrs Farwell arrived; but returned on
the following day and was in season to at
tend the party which the Major gaze on
/ the occasion. The staff and line officers,
not kept away on duty, were all present,
and Joy and Inerriment ruled the hour
Mrs. Farwell was younger than her hus
band, g portly woman, bearing herself
with peculiar grace and dignity, without
any effort or show ut af citation She as
sumed no needless reserve, but treated
/ her guests with kindness and considera-
! ton, seemingly anxious that all should
/ feel at home and enjoy themselves.
In that far of region the laws Of total
abstinence were not strictly adhered to
and on the present occasion we not only
emptied many bottles Of wine, but several
! hotties Of old Bourbon were included in
! the bill Of faro.
! Towards midnight the ladies withdrew,
/ but the officers were not quite ready 10
retire The Major was IN high spirits, and
song and story, with flowing goblots gave
us occupation
/ BY and by, | proposed toast: "Mrs
/ Major Farwell," and it was drank With
three hearty cheers. WHY in tho worl |
( the Major should have taken oifensc, /
could not comprehend; but he did 30, and
intimated that had better not make too
/ free with his wile's name
| "ftgad r. I replied, without stopping 10
weigh my words, 'it YOU must have your
/ handsome lady as sacred as that. you
ought no, TO have brought her out rere. I"
| Captain Willet," he cried, risinL to his
/ feet, "if 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, nrl!
/ ed me back
"Zounds :" he uttered in low whisper,
"don't say another word. The Major is
mad, and he's a bit Jealous, too. Can t
You see it?
AS Walker spoke, Il flushed upon me
that Mrs. Farwell had been very attrac-
! tive to mo She had danced with me (, ur
or five times, and had promenadel with
me on the piazza.
| But could not bear such language as
Major Farwell had addressed to me, AMI
4 in spite Of NV friends remonztrance, |
retorted upon him. Ny blood was heated
with whiskey. and | cared no more FOR the
commanding officer At that time than for
/ the drummer how
which | need not repeat. "v0u have q
: fine time }tickinc me OUT. Perhaps you
/ better try it now -
+ The Major sprang toward me and caught
/ me by the collar thought at the time
/ that he meant 10 strike but was SUISSE
quently convinced that lie did not. But
! | struck him on the cheek with the iiat Of
nv hand
/ With a Kissing oath he drew pistol
/ from his pocket, bat before he could use
4 il the Adiutant caught his arm, and three
or four of my friends hurried me from the
room and led ne 10 ms own quarters
On the following morning awol;e with
anything but n pleasant feeling, and when
! | remembered whathad transpired during
he precious night, | felt wretched enough
I cursed the wine cup and the whiskcv
bottle from the bottom of my heart, and
Iinwardlv resolved | would touch tie stuff
no more Still. | WAS Grcei to take q
stiff hot toddy to steady my nerves; and
alter bad dressed m self, sat down 70 a
cup oC coffee ] was thus engaged when
cur Adiutant, Mr. Bowker, entered my
quarters bade him good morning, and
asked him if he would not take some coF
fee with nc.
Not now" he said, shaking his head.
II have called upon business. All, Cap
tain, this Is O wrctched bad affair. Do YOU
remember that you struck the Major last
eyening2'
yes, l remember j, very well, rornen1-
Der IL too vel
He expects YOU 70 NJ Ike al apology,
pursued tho Adiutant
And if Go not?''
"Then YOU must fight him"
"You were present, Bowkcr, during th'
entire scene
"IcS'
s.'Taen I wish vou to tell me the truth
: for am free to confess that NV brain wa
/ in = BIT Of a whirl last night First, III,
I /, IN my toast 10 MIS- / G'tFNSl, give u4H
the least occasion for I'll feelin- 2
i could none, Captain; bat yor
: rust remember he had been drinking
Exactly in that we We're even
And now-Iid he not. in the presence o
the whole company. threaten 10 kick u,
from bis quarters 2
! Yes"
and did he not lay his hand upon n
+. before ! struck him
a cannot be positive, but | think y
did.
Then" said I, drinking the las; Of n
coffee. Il shall make no apology.
.sYou will remember, Captain, surEe:
: ted Bowker. that the Major i dea
shot, anJ 10 the handling Of a sword Il
has no superior.
E Il care nothing about that" / kn.
: tre temper Of our officers, and | knew
: should he held in light esteem III Above
! the Major to back me down Once nor
q Bowker asked il would apologize
Il told him most emphaticaliy No.
Then | have instructions 70 tellvt
: tbs note, he added
He handed ne an unsealed missiv
which found to be challenge, and
it | was informed that Aljutant Bowk'
vas empoz cred to make all necessary
.ngements.
Nv warmest friend in the regim ut "
: s-st lieutenant named Walker and
: sent for him .. once. desiring him to q