The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-03-04
THE DUEL.

.
i THE DUEL.
Our regiment was stationed at Nor
gan's Ford. Our colonel had been sho,
by an Indian gorilla, and our Lieutcn.
ant colonel had gone home sick, and sc
the command devolved on our Major
whose name was Farwell. He was a
middle aged, dashing fellow, given to
social enjoyment, and, as a general
thing, keeping on pretty friendly terms
with those about him. He was natural
ly free and easy-a fine soldier and a
strict disciplnaran. He was kind
hearted and generous man, though
troubled with temper that led him into
errors at times.
Major Farwe!l had been in command
but few weeks, when he concluded to
send for his wife to come and stay with
him during the summer. He had COM
| Portable and commodious quarters. and
there was little danger that the Indi-
ans would make another attack.
| was on foraging expedition when
Mrs. Farwell arrived; but returned 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 OH duty, were all
present. and joy and merriment ruled
the hour.
Mrs. Farwell was younger than her
husband, a portly woman, bearing her
self with peculiar grace and dignity,
without any effort or show at atiecta-
ton. She assumed no needless reserve,
but treated her guests with kindness
and consideration, seemingly only anx-
ious that all should feel at home and en-
joy themselves.
In that fnr-off 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 sew
era! bottles ofold Bourbon were includ-
ed 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 goblcts, gave us
occupation. BY and by l proposed
toast. "Mrs. Major Farwell,' and it
was drank with three hearty cheers.
Why in the world tho Major sh>uld
have taken offence, could not compre-
hend; but he did So and intimated that
| had better not make too free with his
wife's name.
"Egad!" !" replied, without stopping
to weigh my words, "if you must have
your handsome lady as sacred as that,
you ought not to have brought her
here"
Captain Willet." he cried, rising to
his feet, 'ifyou breathe the lady's name
again, I'll kick you from my quar-
ters"
l had started from my seat. when
Lieutenant Walker, who was sitting by
my side, pulled me back.
"Zounds!' he uttered, in a hurried
whisper, "dont say another word The
Majors mad, and he's bit jealous,
too. Can't you see it %
AS Walker spoke, it flashed upon me
that Mrs. Farwell had been very atten-
tive to me. She had danced with me
four or five times. and she had prone
naded with me upon the piazza.
But could not bear such language as
Major Farwell had addressed to me,
and in spite Of my friends remon-
STRANGE, retorted upon him. My blood
was heated with whisky, and cared no
more for my commanding oi1icera at that
time than | would have cared for a
drummer boy.
"By-, sir!' replied with an oath,
which need not repeat, "you would
have a fine time kicking me out! Per-
haps you had better try it now!"
The Major sprang toward me and
caught me by the collar. l thought at
the time that he meant to strike me;
but was subsequently convinced that
he did not. But | struck him upon the
cheek with the fiat of my hand.
With Kissing oath he drew a pistol
from his pocket, but before he could use
it the adjutant caught his arm, and
three or 1our OF my friends hurried me
from the room and led me to my own
quarters.
On the following morning I awokc
with anything but a pleasant feeling,
and when l remembered what had
transpired during the previous night.
felt wretched enough. l cursed the
wine cup and the whisky bottle from
the bottom of my heart, and inwardly
resolved that would touch the stuff no
more. Still, l was forced to take a stiff
hot toddy to steady my nerves; and,
after had dressed myself, sat down to
a cup Of coffee. l was thus engaged,
when our adjutant, Mr. Bowker, enter
ed my quarters. l bade him good morn
inc and ask p1 him If ha xUnil lI not Tn k a