Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-01-11

drummer boy.
"By -, sir,' I replied with an
oath which 1 need not repeat here, you
would have fine time kicking me out
Perhaps you had better try it now !"
The Major sprang towards me and
caught me by the collar. thought at
the time he meant to strike /; but 1 was
subsequently convinced that he did not,
but l struck him upon the cheek with
the fiat of my hand.
With Kissing oath he drew a pistol
from his pocket, but before be could
use it the Adjutant caught his arm and
three or four of my friends hurried me
from the room and led me to nv OWL
quarters.
On the following morning I awoke
with anything but pleasant feeling,
and when remembered what had trans.
pired during the previous night, felt
wretched enough. l cursed the wine
cup and whisky bottle, from the bottom
of my heart, and inwardly resolved
would touch the stuff no more. Still
l was forced to take stiff hot toddy to
steady my nerves; and, after had dress
ed myself, sat down to cup of coffee
l was thus engaged when our Adj1taLt
Mr.. Bowker, entered my quarters.
babe him good morning and asked il
he would not take some breakfast with
me.
"Not now," he said, shaking his
head, 81 have called upon business
All, Captain, this is bad affair. Dc
you remember that you struck the Ma
jor last night ?"
eyes, remember it well-remem.
Der it too well.'
"He expects you will make an apology,
pursued the Adjutant.
"And if 1 do ?''
"Then you must fight him."
"You were present, Bowker, during
the entire scene."
eyes"
"Then | ask you to tell me the truth
for | am free to confess that my brain
was on bit of whirl last night First
did |, in my toast to Mrs. Farwell,
give him the least occasion for ill-feel.
ing 2"
81 could see none, Captain, but you
remember he had been drinking"
"Exactl y-and in that we were even
And COW did he not, in the presence Of
the entire company, threaten to kick
me from his quarters
eyes"
And did he not lay his hand upon
me before l struck him ?"
81 am not positive, but think he
did,"
"Then," said I, drinking the last Of
my coffee, IL shall make no Apology"
"You will remember, Captain" sug.
gested Bowker, "that the Major is a
dead shot, and that in the handling OF
the sword he has no superior"
81 care nothing at all about that. I
know the temper of our officers, and
should be held in light esteem if l al.
lowed the Major to back me down. 3"
Once more Bowker asked if l would
apologize.
l told him most emphatically "No. "
"Then," he added, 81 have instruc-
tions to deliver this note"
He handed me an unsealed nissive,
which | found to be challenge, aud
by it was Informed that Adjutant Bow
ker was empowered to make all neces-
sary arrangements.
My warmest friend in the regiment
was first Lieutenant named Walker,
and | 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 retreat
he consented to serve me, though I
could see very plainly that he didn't like
the business. However, he asked me
if had any instructions to give him.
"Only two ITEMS" l replied. "First,
l will fight with pistols; and, second,
as my nerves are somewhat unstrug, l
would like that the affair be put off till
tomorrow morning."
Walker went out with the adjutant ;
and when he returned he informed me
that the arrangements we're all made
we were to meet at seven o'clock the
following Neutrality-suspicious., pistols
distance, twelve paces-our seconds to
toss for the choice of position-to fire
at the word of command.
After dinner l sat down to arrange
my affairs. l wrote several letters,
which l sealed and enclosed in single
envelope to be sent off by my clerk in
case 1 should fall. My property l gave
into Walkers possession, with instruc-
lions how to dispose of it. When mat
tiers had been thus arranged it was we'll
towards evening, and taking light cane
in my hand, walked out for breath
of fresh air.
Not far from the camp was MorCan's
Falls, a wild, romantic spot, where
the water of the river tumbled over a
huge bed of broken rocks; and towards
this spot bent my steps. Just above
the falls was bridge of logs, where
could be obtained one of the graudest
views that ever blessed the eye Of an
artist. As I reached the summit of an
eminence near the falls, 1 saw a woman
and child standing on the bridge; but
| l lost sight of them for time as de-
seconded into the shrubbery. Twas Just
emerging from the thicket, when sharp
piercing cry of agony broke upon my
ear / sprang to the bridge, and there
| [ saw the woman-alone!
She vaa wrinoinp her hands and