The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-03-30

by wine he. was inclined to be insolen
and overbearing.
I was more than thirty points ahead
when shot presented itself to me tina
was very difficult of accomplishment
It was q straight carom, but, in order {,
make it, the object ball had to be yer,
finely grazed indeed. My ball scarcel,
moved the object ball, though it un'
doubtedly touched 1t, and went on tn,
red, making the carom. A dispute in
stantly arose when claimed :he shot
"You never hit the first ball, sir p
cried Fraser louily.
II know l did not, but my ball did, >
I replied, carelessly.
tits false! There was no carom."
| "Do you insinuate lie, sir?'
Yes sir. You are both a liar and q
cheat - --.~
Human nature could not stand that.
I slapped my traducer's face. My broth.
er officers interfered, and when my tenn.
per cooled, found myself walking on
the verandah with my intimate friend,
Ned Howson. p * = @
"Come Holroyd, let's get some soda.
water, and then turn in. You must get
your hand steady; for Fraser will be
sure to challenge you Tomorrow" lie
said:-
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 aud a ''peg''
before he explained his mission. AS
had expected, he was the bearer Of car
te! from Mr.. Fraser.
"This is a devllish unpleasant bust.
ness altogether, Ho;rovd; but suppose
you perceive that there is no alternative.
Will you name your friend, for don't
suppose you intend to apologize,' said
the captain, who bore the reputation OF
being a fire-eater.
| told him I should leave everything
in the hands of Lieutenant Howson,
and he went to that gentleman in order
to arrange the preiiminaries.
About mid day my friend came to me,
aud told me that he had agreed with the
second of Mr.. Fraser a. to the place,
time of meeting, aud weapons to be used
in the forthcoming duel. He also hint
ed that if had any letters to write, in
case of accident, it would be as well to
do them at once; said he would call to
accompany to the rendezvous at dawn
the next morning and, when I thank
ed him, and promised to prepare myself
for slaughter, left to hunt up the doc.
tor, leaving me to reflect upon my posi-
ton.
Dueling. was much In vogue at that
period, but l had never before been q
principal In an affaire d'honneur, and,
confess, my feelings upon this occasion
were not pleasant ones.
III the first place, liked Mr.. Fraser
very much, and knew full we'll that
he would never have provoked me to
strike him had he not been under the
influence of liquor. But the blow had
been given, and nothing could avert a
hostile meeting, unless accorded him
an ample and abject apology-to do
which would have required far more
courage than to fight, for should have
been stigmatized as coward and COM
pletely ostracised by all Of my brother
officers.
1t was the rainy season, and toierably
cool, so when had finished quitting
my house in order," as Howson had ad
vised, set out for long walk, think
ing that exercise would .steady my
nerves, which were somewhat uustrung
by the effects of the potations of the ev
ening previous.
As strobe leisurely upon my way,
pondered upon my past life. l thought
of how, barely four years before, l had
set out from home full Of zeal and ambi-
ton, in the hope of winning name and
fame in the profession hadchosen earn
est in my heart; and now, before l had
even fleshed my maiden sword, before
was even fairly launched upon my CO
reer, had placed myself in such n posi-
ton that it was more than probable my
hopes, my zeal, ambition and my life,
would he cut down like flower! l
cursed the enemy man puts 'in his
mouth to steal away his brains;"
thought of the happy home in Father
| land" that would be made desolate by
my death; / thought of the dear loved
ones who woul mourn me there, and
my heart was filled with bitter anguish
misery that was not decreased when
reflected that, even if was spared and
my adversary fell, it would be my hand
that would plunge his widow into deep
sea VI srioC, and loave fathorless his ia
nocent child. s... .....
/ was aroused from this bitter train o
thought by the hollow thud of rapid,
advancing hoofs, and on looking up,
saw lady, whose face was totally un
familiar to me, vainly endeavoring t.
restrain mettlesome horse she was rid
ing. The first glance told me she was
skillful equestrian, the second that sh'
seemed evidently bent upon taking tn
fire out of her steed by urging him for
ward and to 60 forward knew full
well meant to rush headloug to destruc
ton, for right in that direction lay, hal
concealed by bushes, deep nulIah, o
water course, down which to-ren
swollen by the recent rains, rolled il
rushing cataracts over the rock strewl
bed.
Turn, madam, turn for your life
there is danger ahead!" l cried, as
rushed toward the point for which sh