The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1869-09-25
The Duel.

1s4-, by releasing me from editoria
laaors, enabled ME to accept the invita-
ton Of our Italian special correspondent
to visit Milan L knew nothing of my
iuyitor beyond the circumsfance of his
having. been highly recommended by
parties we'll vcrsed in the world of con
tinental politics, and, next, cf his sus
tanning this recommendation by q series
OF vigorous articles full of early iutorua
ton relative to Italian movcments-the
revolution was then i'll progress-full OF
unrcseryed denunciations against Aus
TRAN and priestly nominations, and
equally full of hopeful anticipations of
what then appeared to most BRITISH poli-
ticians to be mere geographical ex-
pression--the ''uni6cation of Italy"
The character of the contributions
fiery, martial, uncompromisins-led me
to idealize the contributor as of Titanic
proportions. Ny astonishnent was gen
uninc when l saw that he was man of
puny proportions, with nothing in his
externals to lead you to suppose that his
veins we're filed with aught bnt the milk
of human kindncss-I take it for granted
there is such liquid-execpt pair of
dark eyes that occasionally glittercd like
a rattlesnakes. S.
| y week passed quite pleasantly. My
host, though known to me as DIR. Doris,
in reality was of the old M;lanese no
bility; the palazzo Di-, in the Cosso,
was his ancestral mansion, let out for
economical reasons to the Austrian gen
eral who commanded at Milan. DR.
Doris, to use an inelegant but express
sive phrase, was '.back and edge" Italian.
Filled with unconcealed aspirations for
his country's speedy emancipation from
foreign yoke, and working streuuously
with his pen to that end, he was a
marked man, more especially on account
of his high connections, which, although
denuded of their once splendid patri-
mony aud power, still carried certain
sway.
My week having ended, I prepared to
take leave of my friend, and invited
him to farewell dinner at his favorite
cafe, named Marengo. The dinner was
good. the wine excellent, and my friend,
who spoke English wonderfully we'll,
opened his heart unreservedly, as there
was little chance of the conversation
being understood, even should a spy be
lurking within ea--shot.
After this we went to the magnificent |
theater-La Scala. 1t was more than
commonly crowded, in consequence Of a |
new candidate for the position of 13rtnta |
donna. The box of my friend was on
the second tier; we made up the stoue |
staircase with some difficulty here our
further progress was impeded by the
narrow passage being filled with people
looking Tor accommodations, and in par
ticular by an officer in the Austrian
uniform, whom Immediately recognized
as great duelist, aud against whom my
friend entertained rather hostile views.
In order to pass, it was necessary for my
friend to touch the officers elbow, which
he did with perfect politcness, and
Pardon, Monsieur Italians and Aus
TRANS of the better class usually speak
French-the only response to which was
by the officer squaring his huge frame
still more unaccommodatingly. My
friend made a second effort, this time at
tempting with gentle force to push him
self between the officer and the balus-
trade The officer looked around super
ciliousiy, and pressed his arm so rudely
against my friend as to thrust bim
against the wall. My friend, for man
Just vowed forever to peace, looked
strangely warlike. Making a sudden
effort, he bent down the officers arm
md passed him rapidly, in doing which
De trod, / fear Intentionally, on the Off
,er's feet-a compliment which was re-
urned by vigorous kick from the off,
,cr's heavy military boot.
The pain and public indignity drew
rom my friend sharp and wolfish
mari; indeed, for the moment, he re- 4
embled nothing SO much as wolf, with j
lis lips drawn tightly back, and his
cleaning teeth exposed then springing
It his assailant, he clinched his ample /
Vhiskers with one hand, and with the {
ther buffeted him on the face repeatedly. l
The attack was executed with such ra- |
,idity that the officer had no time to 3
axe measures for the defense of his 9
'erson but when the blows rained on !
lis face, and the blood flowed, he became ]
mad with rage. Stamping
with deep oath, he seized
~ friend in his sinewy arms, and hold
ag him as easily as a cat would mouse, &
e backed down the passage until he I
anne to the open staircase, when, lifting I
i'm high in the air, he prepared to dash Q
i'm on the marble floor beneath fall \
nat must haveresulted in frightful multi .
ton or instant death. Buthis purpose was G
by the spectators, myself among =
,e number, throwing themselves ON him, I
nd, after fierce struggle, rescuing the g
tile doctor from his grip. The guard, y
stracted by the turmoil, made their ap- q
earance, and, for the time, further hos b
lities were impossible. lost sight of t
y friend for few minutes he then Q