The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-02-03
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THE CHALLENGE.

|
one fine night, while on the passage
from Calcutta to London. / present ii
to my readers in The words of the mar.
rator, a tall, well-built man, whose
Olive-like complexion indicated long
residence in tropical climes.
"When first received my commits.
ion as ensign in the British army, was
gazetted to the --th regiment, then in
India, and as the P. and O. Company
did not exist in those days, I took pas
sage via the Cape of Good Hope.
SIN due course of time l arrived at
Madras, and Joined my regiment, in
which 1 remained only three years,
however, for, at the expiration Of that
period, l purchased my lieutenancy.
and exchanged into the ID, which was
stationed up country.
Until a man gets thoI oughly used
to it, there is nothing so mOnotonous
as an officers life in an isolated locality
in India. There is routine in every
thing; in duty, in lounging, eating,
smoking. sleeping, reading and biili-
ards or card playing, and this is only
varied, if, by lucky chanc ce, he happens
to be in district where pig.sticking,
elephant or tiger hunting is obtainable.
AT times, too-especially if ladies are
with the regiment-amateur hops are
in favor, and occasionally "a hop" is
improved; but the climate is so ener-
waiting that neither officers nor men of
any regiment, that had been consid-
cradle length of time in the country,
felt very often disposed 10 exert them
selves to provide amusements for their
comrades.
4 Il hoA iy in 10
and, in consequence, all the members
of that corps were afflicted with lassi-
tude that had almost become chronic.
There was great dearth of female
society-that sine qua non of pleasure
able existence-and the hunting had
been pronounced by those old stagers,
who considered themselves genuine
shikarries, to be Internally bad; there
fore, when it was announced that
new Collector had been appointed to
succeed the liverless old curmudegeon
who, for seventeen years, had held
office IN that district, and nOtG 6eac
was added, asserting that he was the
fortunate -possessor of an extremely
beautiful wife, every one was on the
o,a viUe to receive him. Much to our
disappointment, however, he arrived
alone, having left his spouse to enjoy
the society of her friends in Calcutta
for few weeks, after which she was to
follow him with their only child.
"Mr. Norman Fraser was man
about thirty-five years of age, tall,
muscular, and pre-eminently hand
some; moreover, he was highly educat-
ed, and possessed such powers of pleas
| ing that won his way to all our hearts,
and soon became a universal fayOrite.
"He infused new life into our little
coterie, and many were the lamenta-
lions whenever his genial countelance
did not beam across our mess-table.
| Our colonel's two hard featured daugh-
ters-regular garrison girls who had
fiirted successively with every sub
whom they had met during the last
| ten years-were enchanted by him, and
openly lamented that he was already
Benedict for, though he was only a
civilian they would have been glad
enough to have had the ghost of a
chance to ensnare him in the silken
meshes of matrimony.
at was custom in those days for
officers to remain over the mesS-table
long after the cloth had been removed,
and, unless a man possessed very
strong head, he was pretty certain to
retire to rest in lamentably befogged
condition. One night, wien We had
all been indulging pretty freely, the
conversation turned to billiards-an
interesting topic, for most OF us We're
good players.
"Have you seen Fraser play? He
beat Webb easily to-day, and Fll back
him against any man in the regiment"
said Captain Raper, who considered
himself authority on matters connected
with games of skill.
al always give Webb points, and |
won't shrink measuring cues with the
Collector, though he certainly plays a |
very good game, | replied.
ERASER, old fellow, Lieutenant H0l- |
royd thinks that he is your equal at
billiards. Will you let me back you |
for game ?'' Raper cried, across the
table.
''The Collector, who was 'half-seas-
over promptly expressed his willing
ness to at once engage with me, so l |
registered bet of a hundred rupees |
with Captain Raper, and we adjourned |
to the billiard-roOm. j had practiced |
great deal in my leisure hours, and |
knew myself to be "a steady player, |
while, from what had seen of Fraser's |
play, / Judged that he became nervous
and irritable, if fhck went against him
ever so little; therefore, ] did not hesi-
tate to accept a few other bets offered
by admirers of my opponents brilliant |
style.
1--WE had got about halfway through |
the game, and our scores were nearly |
equal, when | made three most palpa
All in
moved my semi-inebriated antagonist |
that he played wildly, missing most
easy shots, and all the while denounc-
ing my style of execution in no very
measured terms. When sober, he was
the most courteous and urbane of men;
but when excited by wine, he was in
clined to be insolent and overbearing
"I was more than thirty points
ahead, when shot presented itself to
me that was very difficult tofaccomplish-
ment. 1t was straight carom, but in
order to make it, the Object-ball had to
be very finely grazed indeed. My ball |
scarcely moved the object-ball though |
it undoubtedly touched it, and went OH
the red, making the carom. A dispute |
instantly arose when | claimed the |
shot.
"sYou never hit the first ball, sir :" !
cried Fraser, loudly.
"I knowI did not, but my ball did,
| replied, carelessly.
"'It's false. There was no carom.'
"'Do you insinuate lie, sir?'
ayes! You are both liar and a
cheatp
Human nature could not stand that.
| slapped my traducer's face. My /
brother officers interfered, and when
nv temper cooled, L found myself
walking on the verandah with my in
innate friend, Ned Howson.
"tCome, HoIroyd, let's get some soda
water, and then turn in. You must
get your hand steady, for Fraser is sure
to challenge you tomorrow he said.
al took his advice and the beverage
he recommended, and was up bright
and early the following morning.
About ten O'Clock, Captain Raper came
TO my quarters. "He took seat and
'peg' before he explained his mission.
AS / had expected, he was the bearer
of cartel from Mr.. Fraser.
"'This is deviiish unpleasant busl-
ness altogether, Holroyd but sup
pose you perceive that there is no al
tentative. VIII you name you friend,
for l don't suppose you intend to apoio-
gize,' said the Captain, who bore the
reputation of being firo-eater
II told him / should leave every
thing in the hands of Lieutenant how
son, and he went to that gentleman III
order 70 arrange nreliminarieS.