Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-01-23
ALI READY Fen DUEL

Our regiment was stationed at Morga" 5
F,rl. cur ColorcI bad been shot hy an lp-
iian cucaiu, an; oar Lieut.. Colonel had gone
home .ic!i, 50 the con::nand devo!vcd on our
Major, vhe.e name WAS Farwc'l. lie Was
middle aged, dasiiing fslp%. given TO social
enio: inert. aud, as general ;iling, keeping
III p.i;iY friendly tcims with those about
lin. lie was naturally free and easy,
fine Soldier ard strict disciplinarsn. He
was kind-hearted, generous man, though
troubled, with temper that led Him into er.
ror at times.
|. Maio, FarweIl had been in command but
week when he concluded 10 send for his
wife ~ come and stop Nth Kim through the
summer. he had comfortable and commodi-
Gus quarters. and there was iit.e danger that
the Indians would make another attack.
was or :. ioraging expedition VIXEN Mrs.
Farwell arri:ed: bgt returned on the follow
iny day; Ind was il sesaon 70 attend the party
-yhich the Major gave oa ti.c occasion. The
stat, ard line officers. not kept '.wa5 on dlty,
were oil present, and joy and nierri'nent ruled
the hour.
Mrs. Farwell was younger than her husband,
portly woman, bearing herself With peculiar
grace and dignity, without any effort at STOW
or alitotation. She assumed no needless re
serve. hut treated her guests with kindness
and consideration: seemingly cnly anxious
that all should feel VI bone and enjoy them
selves.
In that far of region tie laws Of ioiai ab-
stinence were not strictly adhered to: and,
on the present occasion, we not only emptied
many bottles of wine, but sundry bottles OF
old bourbon were included in the bill Of fare.
Toward midnight the.lqdies withdrog but
the off GERS were not quite ready to retire.
The Major was in the highest spirits; song
aud story, with flowing goblcls, gave us occu
patton. By aud by, | proposed toast, Mrs.
Maio. Faryell," aud it was drank with three
cheers Why in the wor!d the Major should
taken offence, could rot comprehend bAt
he did so, and dintimated that ! had not better
make too free with his wife's name.
"Egad,n l replied, without stopping to
weigh my words, I" if You must have your
handsome lady as sacred as that, you ought
not to have brought her out here"
"Ctp:. Willetb" he cried, rising to his
feet, if yod breati2 the lady's name again,
rll kick you from my quari4rs,"
had started mp from my seat, when Lieut..
Walker, sitting by my side, pulled me back.
tXpunds," be uttered in q hnrred whisper,
."d don't say another word The old Majors
mad, and he's bit jealous, too. Can't you
see it," -,
As Walker spoke, It flashed upon me that
Mrs. Farwell bad been very aiteDt tiJe 70 me-
She had danced with nc four or five times,
and had promenaded with me en- the plaza.
Blu. could rot bear such language us Major
Farwall had addressed to me, and in spite OF
nv trends remonshance retorted upon him.
NV tlood was heated with whisky, and |
cared no more for tic COMMANDING officer at
That time than would have cared for Il drum.
mer hoy.
"Ey-, sir,' 1 replied nth an oath,
wh:cL | need not repeat, "you would have
had fine time kicking me out! Perhaps
you letter try it now."
The Major sprang toward me and caught
me bT the collar. thcusht.at the time TINT
he N can't to strike but was subsequently
convinced tha, he did not. But struck him
upon the cheek with the flat of Ipy hand.
With Kissing oath he drew pistol from
bis pocket, but before he conld use it, the
Adin!ant caught his arm, and three or forr Of
my friends hurried me from the room, and
led ne to my own quarters.
On the following morning I awoke with
anything but pleasant feeling, and when l
remembered what had transpired during the
previous night, | felt wretchcd enough. |
cursed the wine cup and the whisky bottle
from tic bottom of my heart, and inwardly
resolved would touch the stuff no more.
Still, was forced to'teke . stiff hot toddy to
steady my nerves; and after had dressed
myself sat down to II cup OF coffee. was
thus engaged when our Adjutant, Mr.. Bowkcr,
ente:ed my quarters. ] bade him good morn.
inc. end asked him if he would not take some
breakfast with me.
"Not now" he said, shaking his head, ~
have called upon business. All, Captain, this
is bad affair." Do you remember that you
struck the Major last night?'
Yes-I remembered it very well-remem-
berod it too we'll.
He expects you to make an apology
pursued the Adjutant.
And if do not p
"Then you must fight him"
aYou were present, BOwker, during the en-
tire scspsa"