Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-02-21

sustained it,
After this sad affair Bclfont became an al
tered man, and, although his brother officers
endeavored by every attention to show their
entire belief in his innocence, he became dull
and gloomy, was seldom to be seen at mess,
and never among the billiard or monte plays
ers where we passed our leisure time. Indeed
his health was becoming 80 visibly injured
that even Old Dragon, the colonel, now thor.
onghly unpopular from his sons conduct, be.
sought him earnestly to go to England upor
sick leave; but neither the entreaties o
friends or enemies could prevail upon him II
leave the service before the assassin had beel
discovered; or until he had proved by his gal
lantry in some we'll fought field that he wa.
not actuated by shameful motives in repug
nance to duelng.
AT length the opportunity he sought fo'
came. The terrible 9th of May, when, by ths
cowardice Of the Spaniards, who left the bruni
OF the action to the English, the majority OF
our officers were shot down like patriges.
Throughout that day Belfont fought like q
mailman wherever the cannonaIing was the
heaviest, or the fire of muskctry the hottest
there he was to be found, cheering and Leads
ing on his men the major, the captains, the
lieutenants were all shot down, leaving the
command of the decmated regiment to Bel,
font-in fact he madly sought death. but seem.
ed to bear charmed life, and by his terrible
bravery did no little to turn the balance in
our favor.
After this action he moved among his sur
viving brother officers more proudly, the fan
cicd stain upon his honor seemed to be wear
ing away, and he might have regained his
happiness but for another insult that wore in
to his heart. Many were the decorations dis
tributed for that days work, but neither cross
medal, nor promot ion to the braycst man in
the service. The colonel had been empowered
to recommend to the general given number
OF officers and men. Belfont was purposely
passed over that decoratirn might be giver
to Billy Dragon. This was too much hi
passion boiled, the two met at the mess, Bill,
wore his decoration and covertly buliied Bel
font The officers sided with Bclfont. warme
words followed the young scoundrel again
accused him Of stabbing Gray. Human ma
ture eoull bear no more Billy fell TO til,
ground stunned.
mol, ON - -. AZ
vice and not accept Billy challenge was i'm.
possible. They met the next day, and the
eolonel's son fell dead at the first shot. Bel
font hed-his brother officers compelled him
knowing that although court martial
would have acquitted him Of intentional mur.
der, the persecution he would suffer at the
hands of the colonel would have rendered his
life In the service both intolerable and dis
honorable. From that fatal day till the late
unfortunate duel neither saw or card of my
poor friend.
Indeed, said |, II now believe tho poor
fellow has, even in this last affair, been the
victim of circumstances.
Il would swear it, said Crawford, warmly
'But, said l, was it ever discovered what
became Of the Sonora, or who murdered Capt
Gray y
"stay, l will tell you.' Before, however,
Crawford could satisfy my curiosity, he was
summoned to the George to the aid Of a
man who had just been taken out Of the river
into which he had, either by accident or dc.
sign, fallen. So as it was late, and had tc
leave town BY an early train, l shook my
friend by the hand, and went home and Il
bed.
"After months absence, during which
had been SO importantly engaged that the
deep impres sion made upon my mind by the
duelists story had become effaced, returned
to town. Immediately called upon Crawford
and finding him in deep mourning exclaim
ed, "lou are in mourning, my dear fellow
trust, however, it is for patient only, mo-
for ffiend..or member of your family
"For both patient and friend" he replied
adding gloomily, ''for poor Belfont."
sGood ile.ye. then you have heard 0
him, and turned aside my head, with III,
false shame that most of US have at the littl,
good in us, for my eyes were filed
"Bah this is womanly; but 1 can't hell
it, he said, brushing his eyes with the cut
Of his coat sleeve and SO, in accordance will
the code of civilization, brushing away tn,
outward symbols Of human feeling. He con,
tinued "you remember your last visit to me. I
81 do, full well, and the impression left up
on my mind for some days by the story Of
Belfont"
eAnd that was called away to visit . half.
drowned patient"
"Yes," said eagerly.
lis il not extraordinary that patient should
have been the man We had been speaking of
-Belfont?'
"Can it be possible. Then he committed
suicide
"Well, l will tell you,r said Crawford.
Upon reaching the public house, found
the case worse than l had expected. My pa
tient when taking his dread leap, had fallen
into lighter, at that moment passing through
an arch. His frame seemed completely shat
tered and he was senseless. A minutes ex
animation told me the case was hopeless !:
alas, it told me also that the attenuatcd, mis-
cradle being before me was my old friend
George Belfont. Fortunately, however, SER