The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-03-04
TIPTON, IOWA, MARCH, 4, 1869
"Not now," said he shaking his

| NOV now, Soiu Ae suakluS III
head.
Il have called upon business. Do yo,
remember that you struck the Majo
last niyht:'
"Yes, remember 1t very well-tot
well.'
"He expects you will make an apollo.
gy,' pursued the adjutant.
"And if 10 note"
"Then you must fight him."
"You were present, Bowker, during
the entire scene"'
EYES"
"Then I wish you to tell me the truth
for am free to confess that my brain
was on bit ofa whirl last night. First,
did l, in my toast to Mrs. Farwell, give
him the least OCCASION for i'll feel
ing?"
~ could see none, Captain; but you
remember he had been drinking"
Exactly; and in that we were even.
And now-did he not, in the presence
Of the whole company, threaten to kick
! me from his quarters? ?'
"Yes."
"And did he not lay his hand upon
me before l struck him?'
~ cannot be positive, but think he
did,"
"Then,' said | drinking the last OF
my coffee, 81 shall mako NO appolo-
yy.'
"iou will remember, Captain, that
the Major is dead shot, and that in the
handling ofa sword he has no equal"
suggested Bowker.
81 care nothing about that" knew
the temper of our officers, and l knew
that | should he held in light esteem if
l allowed the Major to back me down.
Once more Bowker asked me if would
appo.ogize.
l told him most emphatically, "No.'
"Then,' he added, II have instruc-
tions to deliver this note"
He handed me an unsealed mis.ive,
which | found to be challenge, and by
it was informed that adjutant Bowker
was empowered to make all necessary
arrangements.
My warmest friend in the regiment
was lst Lieutenant named Walker,
and l 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 retract,
he consented to serve me, though |
could see very plainly that he liked not
the business. However, he asked me If
l had any Instructions to give him.
"Only two items" ! replied. First, |
will fight with pistols; and second, as
my nerves arc somewhat unstrung,
would like that the affair be put Off till
tomorrow morning."
Walker went off with the adutant,
and when he returned he informed me
that the arrangements were all made.
we were to meet at : O'Clock the follow
ing morning weapons, pistols-dis-
tunce, twelve paces-our seconds to toss
for choice OF positions-to fire at the
word of command.
After dinner sat down to arrange
my affairs. l wrote several letters,
which | sealed and enclosed in single
envelope, to be sent off by my clerk in
case l should fall. My property l gave
into Walker 8 charge, with instructions
how to dispose Of it. When matters
had been thus arranged, it was well
towards evening, and taking II light
cane in my hand, l walked out for
breath of fresh air.
Not far from the camp were Morgan's
Falls, a wild, romantic spot, where the
water Of the river tumbled over huge
bed of broken rocks; and towards this
spot bent my steps. Just above the
falls was bridge of logs, from which
could be obtained one of the grandest
scenes that ever blessed the eye Of an
artist AS reached the summit of All
emf .ence near the falls, saw woman
and child standing upon the bridge; but
| lost them for a time, as | descended
into the shrubbery. | was just emerg-
ing from the thicket when \ sharp,
piercing cry of agony broke upon my
ear. | sprang to the bridge, aud there
saw the woman-alone.
She was wringing her hands and
shrieking like a crazy creature. l was
not many minutes in comprehending
the truth. Below the bridge, foatin.
on the troubled waters, | saw the child,
its spreading garments buoying it up,
and | could hear the tiny voice calling
"mamma! mammal
There was not moment to be lost.
The child was going nearer and nearer
to the falls nearer and nearer to death :!
1t was fearful risk for me, for the
chances were that l should be taken
into the kissing, boiling surge beneath
the rocks. But what was the risk to
me then? If l died in the river |
should not stand in the way Of Major
FsrweIl. bullet had better a thou
sand times give up my life thus than
throw it away in the duel. The woman
saw me, and appealed TO me for help;
but my coat was off before she discover
cd me, and in a moment l was in the