The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-05-16
THE DUEL.

Morgan's Ford. Our Colonel had
been shot by Indian guerrilla,
and our Lieutenant Colonel had gone
home sick, and so the command de-
volved up, on our Major, whose
name was Farwell. He was mid
die aged dashing fellow,g to so
cial enjoyment, and as a general
thing, keeping on pretty friendly
terms with those around him. He
was naturally free and easy-a good
soldier and strict disciplinarian.-
He was kind-hearted and generous
man, though troubled with temper
that led him into errors at times.
Major Farwell had been in COM
mand but few weeks when he con-
cluded to send for his wife to
come and stay with him through the
summer. He had comfortable and
commodious quarters, and there was
little danger that the Indians would
make another attack.
I was on foraging expedition
when Mrs. Farwell arrived but re-
turned on the following day, and was
in season to attend the party which
the Major gave on the OCCASION
The staff and line officers, not kept
away on duty, were all present, and
Joy and merriment ruled the hour.
Mrs. Farwell was younger than
her husband, portly women, bear
ing herself with peculiar grace and
dignity, without any effort at affec-
tation. She assumed no needless
reserve, but treated her guests with
kindness and consideration, seem
ingly only anxious that all should
feel at home and enjoy themselves,
In that far off region the laws of
total abstinence were not strictly adj
hered to and on the present occa-
sion we not only y emptied many-bot-
ties 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 ma
jor was in the highest spirits, and
song and story, with flowing goblets,
gave us occupation. By and by, ]
proposed a toast, Mrs. Major Far
well,'' and it was drank with three
hearty cheers. Why in world Maj
should have taken offense, I could
not comprehend but he did so
and intimated that / had better not
make too free with his wife's name
"Egad'' | replied, without stop
ping to weigh my words, ''if yor
must have your handsome lady as
sacred as that, you oughtnot to have
brought her here.
Capt Willet," he cried, rising tc
his feet, ''if you breathe the lady's
name again, I'll kick you from my
quarters.
had started from my seat whel
Lieutenant Walker, who was sitting
by my side, pulled me back.
''Zounds !'' he uttered, in hurried
whisper. "don't say another word
The Majors mad, and he's bit jeal
Gus too. Can't you see it p
AS Walker spoke, it flashed upol
me that Mrs. Farwell had been yer,
attentive to me. She had dance'
with me four or five times, and sh
had promenaded with me upon tn
piazza.
But could not bear such languag
as Major Farwell had addressed t
me, and in spite of my friends re
monstrance, I retorted upon him.
My blood was heated with whis
ky, and I cared no more for m
commanding officer at that tim,
than / would have cared for drum
mer boy.
BY, STRIP I replied with a
oath, which need not repeat, "yo
would have a fine time kicking m
!. out! Perhaps you had better try
nowr'
/. The Major sprang towards me an
caught me by the collar, I though
: at the time he meant to strike me
but was subsequently convince
that he did not. But I struck hi
: upon the cheek with the fat Of m
: hand.
+ With a kissing oath he drew pi
: tol from his pocket, but before |
$ could use it, the Adjutant caught h
: arm, and three or four of my frient
: hurried me from the room, and Il
q me to my quarters.
e On the following morning awol
. with anything but pleasant feelin
D. and when / remembered what b:
transpired during the previous nigf
e | felt wretched enough. I curs'
3 the wine cup and the whisky bott
from the bottom of nv heart, an