The weekly standard., 1869-09-29

AtCu 1-7-ftFfI
"Well, gents, you see am something of a
rowing character, and having got tired of
California, packed my traps and cleared
out for Hong Kong. Not liking that part
Of the country, came 10 Ceylon, and from
there finally drifted to Calcutta. But this
amt telling you about the duel, is it9 After
had been in Calcutta a little while, got
acquainted with . young felly by the name
Of Raymond, William Raymond. He was
in good business, and making money like
dirt. Halo, young fellow, what's the mat
ter; did you know himg"
I had sprung from my chair as be men.
toned the name of Raymond. The blood
boiled in my veins and mounted in hot
surges to my brain. It was the name of my
brother, and felt as though was at last
face to face with his murderer. Restrain
ing myself by an almost superhuman effort,
I motioned for him to go on, and sank hack
In my chair, bathed with perspiration. Hays
looked at me in astonishment, and fortunate
ly Osborn was too drunk to notice very
acutely my emotion. ~ aa. .sIg, q
II was hard up at the time landed, and
Raymond, to whom / applied for assistance,
on the plea that was fellow-co countryman,
came down with the cash, and we were
soon the best of friends. One evening l
was standing on the steps Of the W
Hotel, when whom should see coming
along but Raymond, and on his arm one Of
the handsomest specimens of crinoline
ever laid my eyes on. Between you, me,
and the mainmast, l had been drinking
little, and as the couple came opposite to
where was standing descended the steps
oua ofNOd hofnro fnor1 II dnpsf ofl
member what did, but was told afterward
that attempted to put my arm round the
waist of the girl, who was fool enough to
holler about it. and Raymond knocked me
down right there in front of the hotel, in
the presence of dozen men. It was more
than flesh and blood could stand. I never
overlook an insult like that, and soon after
I called him out. We met at Seven Tanks,
and he wasso awkward that be pressed the
trigger of the pistol before the word was
given to fire, and while his ball was buried
in the earth mine was buried in his heart
with an unerring aim. His girl, believe,
went mad or crazy, and died soon after But
my honor was avenged, and, young feller,
you'd better take warning"
My frame was fairly whirling as stagger-
ed from the cabin, and sought the cool re-
freshing sea-breeze. had at last discover
ed the murderer, and by his own confession,
my brother had been his friend and benefac.
tor in time of need. His cold-blooded recl-
tai made me wild and eager for revenge.
My mind was infamed and excited, so much
30 that reeled like drunken man as
reached the quarter. deck. A few minutes in
the open air revived me somewhat and the
captain join me soon after, related to him
the whole history of my errand to Calcutta,
giving him my real name, and wound up
by saying would have the scouDdrel's life
In atonemeat for my brothers. Hays SYM
| pathized with me, and saw at glance that
1t would be impossible for both Of us to live
in the narrow space comprising the Sultan's
deck aud cabin. After some advice and
defberation, be gave his consent that I
should challenge and fight the villain, as.
suring me that in case fell, be, too, would
fight him. thanked him from the bottom
of my heart, and together we walked the
floor till long after midnight. 'i bl-
Thanks TO my passion for my sporting, /
was an excellent shot with either pistol or
rifle, and had no fears of the result. Twas
/ avenging the death of my brother; and
right as well as Justice, was on nv side.
2 L 40 oNoyASiis DCSdu W Stlu tuc cdSt WIFI
all the vivid colors of the rainbow, l de-
scended to my statesroom. could not
sleep, that was out of the question, and re-
moving my long barreled rified pistols from,
their case, wiped them out and cleaned
them with scrupulous care
1 Seven bells rang out clear and sharp on
the fresh morning air, as / finished my task,
followed by loud and prolonged scream.
Rushing into the cabin, caught Mrs. Ring
in my arms, as she tainted, and in an instant
the Captain and Osborn, who had been
/ alarmed by the shrek, came hurrying to the
spot.
| "What is the matter2" exclaimed Hays.
as he helped me to bear the lady to lounge;
but was too busy in restoring her to con-
sciousness to answer. As she opened her
eyes and gazed wildly around, she ex-
claimed:
20 God am alone, my darling husband
is deadi" and bursting into passionate fit
of weeping, she sobbed as though her heart
would break.
As she grew more calm and collected, at
last learned that her husband was seized
/ with a terrible spell of coughing, bursting a
4 blood-vessel during the spasm, and died be-
fore she could bid him farewell. 5is..-f
i l comforted her as well as was able, and
as she became somewhat more reconciled,
recommended to her the fresh air on deck.
which would cool her head and throbbing
\ brow. ~ fs,sgE f-.f-faF
1 Leaning onmy arm / supported her droop-
ing form as We proceeded to the deck where
Hays and Osborne were engaged in conver-
sation. Osborn, with an insolent grin, turned
to the man at the wheel, and with hoarse
chuckle said, "The sharks will have feast
to-day; more bones than meat, though,
fancy" :.
With bound reached his side, and
clutching him by the throat, 1 threw him to
the deck. Catching up the end of the
spanker-ring, thrashed his hide till be
howled with pain and rage.
"Villain p Missed, "Coward to insult
ladyt You shah answer for TINS win your
hearts blood. You acknowledged last night
that you shot my brother, Will Raymond.
have been longing to find his muderer, and
avenge his DEATH 10 saisr5
| Rising to his feet, he gazed at me for an
instant his eyes giaring with rage and
fury. a.'.Ti1 a
| "DLn ye! you want revenge, do ye Z
You shall have it. shot your brother easi.
~ enough, and / reckon you will not give
me much trouble. You think you've played
sharp game with your assumed name, but
| BY the Eternal, You shall rue the day you
crossed the path Of Jack Osborn. hope
there will not be another woman 90 crazy
p though, for, really, /, would not object to
marrying the widow myself" and turning
on his heel he disappeared below.
Il Fortunately, Mrs. Ring had been eonduc-
ted below by the Captain while / was busy
ropeending the scoundrel, and was she
spared the pain and modification of the
concluding portion of the scene. Ti
l determined to fight the villain at once ;
! and while went below to bring up my pis-
tolls, Hayes waited on Osborn and Informed
him that was on deck, waiting for him tc
! make his appearance
II In q few minutes he came up the compan
3 ion-way, having reduced himself to whit
| shirt and black pants. Without furthel
4 ceremony, walked up to him, presented
both pistols, and bade him take bis choice
5 he examined them critically; and as be &C.
lected one, we proceeded TO load them with
. l nur own harf5s g. ~ --... ---Ir,... -