Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-05-18
Ready for a Duel.

OuE regiment WIS btdJlODeu dC hOTHhu
Ford. Our Colonel had been shot by an In
dian guerilla, and our Lieutenant Colonel
had gone home sick, and SO the command
devolved on our Major, whose name was Far.
well. lie was a middle-aged, dashing fel-
low, given to social enjoyment, and as a gen.
eral thing, keeping on pretty friendly terms
with those about him. He was a kind hearted
and generous man, though troubled with a
temper that led him into error at times.
Major Farwell had been in command but a
few weeks when he concluded to send for his
wife to come and stay with him through the
summer. He had comfortable and commodi-
Gus quarters, and there was little danger
that the Indians would make another attack
was on a foraginS expedition when Mrs.
Farwell arrived but | returned on the fol-
lowing day and was in season to attend the
party which the Major gave on the occasion.
The staff and line officers not kept away on
duty, were all present, and joy and merri-
ment ruled the hour.
Mrs. Farwell was younger than her bus
band, portly woman, bearing herself with
peculiar grace and dignity, without any
effort or show at affectation. She assumed
no needless reserve, but treated her guests
with kindness and consideration, seemingly
only anxious that all should feel at home and
enjoy themselves.
stinence were not strictly adhered to and
on the present occasion we not only emptied
many bottles of wine, but several bottles of
old Bourbon were included in the bill of
fare. Towards midnight the ladies with
drew, but the officers were not quite ready
to retire The Major was in high spirits,
and song and story, with flowing gOblets.
gave us occupation By and by | proposed
a toast, - Mrs. Major Farwell,' and it was
drank with three hearty cheers. Why in
the world the Major should have taken Of
fense, | could not comprehend but he did
so, and intimated that had better not make
too free with his wiie's name.
4" Egad - l replied, without stopping to
weigh my words, o If you must have your
handsome lady as sacred as that you ought
not to have brought her out here
Capt. Willet,' he cried, rising to his
feet, &" if you mention the lady name again
I'll kick you from my quarters.
! started from my seat, when Lieut..
Walker, who was sitting by my side, pulled
me back.
Zounds - he uttered, in hurried
whisper, " don't you say another word. The
Major is 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 attentive to me.
had promenaded with me on the piazza.
a Bat could not bear such language as
spite of my frfe6d rsft ~
upon hun. My blood was heated with whis-
KY, and cared no more for the commanding
othccr, at that time. than | would have cared
for a drummer boy
BY - replied with an oath 1 need
not repeat, - you would have a fine time
kicking me out Perhaps you had better
try it now -
The Major sprang toward me and caught
me by the collar Thought at the time that
he meant to strike; but was subsequently
convinced that he did not. But l struck him
on the cheek with the fiat of my hand.
With a kissing oath ne drew pistol from
his pocket, but before he could use it the
Admiral caught his arm, and three or four
of my friends hurried me from the room and
led me to my own quarters.
On the following morning | awOke with
anything but pleasant feeling. and when
remembered what had transpired during the
previous night, felt wretched enough. |
cursed the wine cup and the whisky bottle
from the bottom of my heart. and inwardly
resolved | would touch the stuff no more.
Still, was forced to take stiff hot tOddy
to steady my nerves and after | had dressed
myself, sat down to a cup of coffee. | was
thus engaged when our Adjutant, Mr.. Bow
ker, entered my quarters. L badc him good
morning, and asked him il he would not take
some breakfast with me.
Not now," he said, shaking his head.
81 have called upon business. All, Cap
tain, this is a bad affair. Do you remember
that you struck the major last evening""
q Yes, remember it very well, remember
it too we'll /"
'' He expects you will make an apology,
pursued the Adjutant.
- And if | do not ?"
"Then you must fight him."
You were present Bowker during the
entire scene? -
g Yes
sThen | wish you to tell me the truth,
for am free to confess that my brain was
in bit of whirl last night. First. did |
in my toast to Mrs. Farwell, give him the
least occasion for ll-feeling?"
'' 1 could see none, Captain; but you re-
member he had been drink ing"
" Exactly-and in that we were even,-
did he not, in the presence of the whole COM
pany threaten to kick me from his quarters =
- Yes"
g And did he not lay hands upon me be-
fore | struck him? ?''
'I cannot be positive, but 1 think he
did,
g Them said l, drinking the last of my
coffee, 81 shall make no apology"
You will remember, Captain suggest
ed Bowker, " that the Major is dead shot,
and in the handling of sword he has no
superior"
'' 1 care nothing for that" | knew the
temper of our officers, and knew | should
be held in light esteem if allowed the Major
to back me down. Once more BOwker asked
me if would apologize.
4oI1 H., roost o,,e,Dba+;oalI,- 90 No
Then have instructions to deliver this
note,' he added.
He handed me an unsealed missive, which
| found to be challenge, and by it L was in
formed that Adjutant Bowker was empow-
cred to make all necessary arrangements.
/ My warmest friend in the regiment was a
first Lieutenant named Walker, and | sem
! for him at once, desiring him to act as my
second. At fret he tried to dissuade me from
lighting, but when he found that l would
not retract, he consented to serve me, though
could see very plainly that he liked not the
business. However, he asked me if | haC
any instructions to give him.;
'' Only two items 1 replied. First,
will fight with pistols, and second, as m,
nerves arc somewhat unstrung, would lik,
the affair put off till tomorrow morning.
Walker went off with the Adiutant, an,
when he returned he informed me that tn
arrangements were all made. We were t,
meet at seven o'clock the following morning
weapons pistols-distance twelve paces-ou
seconds to toss for choice of poeitions-t
fire at the word of command.