The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-14
TIE CHALLENGED OFFICER.
BY WALTER A. ROSE.


The following story was told to me by an
officer belonging to one of II. B. MS regi-
ments. stationed in the East, as we paced the
deck of the Wydaspes. one fine night, while on
the passage from Calcutta to London. | pre-
sent it to my readers in the words OF the par-
iator, tall, well built man, whose olive-like
complexion indicated long residence in tropi-
cal chimes.
When fist received my commission as en-
sign in the British army, | was gazetted to
the -th Regiment, then in India, and. as the
P. and o. Company did not exist 10 those
days, took passage via the Cape OF Good
Hope.
In due course of time l arrived at MadraS
and Joined my regiment, in wren lelna'neu
only three wears. however; for. at the expira-
ton oil that period,l purchased my lieutenant
cy. and exchanged into the I'D, which was
stationed up country.
Until a man gets thoroughly used to it,
there is nothing so mOnotonous as an officers
life in an isolated locality in India. There is
routine in everything; in duty, in lounging,
eating. smoking, sleeping, reading and bill
iards or card-playing, and this is only varied
If, by lucky chance, he happens to be in dis
trict where pig.sticking. elephant or tiger
hunting is obtainabe. At times, toO-espec-
Tally if ladies are with the regiment-amateur
theatricals are in favor, and occasionally "a
hop" is improvsed but the climate is so ener-
waiting that neither officers nor men in any
regiment, that had been a considerable length
of time in the county, felt very often dlspos-
ed TO exert themselves to provice amusement
for their comrades
The -rd had been six years in India, and,
in consequences all The members OF that corps
were afflicted with lassitude that had almost
become chronic There was great dearth OF
female sOciety-that sine qua non OF pleasur-
ablo exi,tance-and the hunting had been
pronounced by those old stagers, wac consid-
cred themselves genuine shikarries, to be in
ternaly bad therefore, when it was announc-
ed that new collector had been appointed to
succeed the liverless old curmudseon who,
for seventeen years, had held office in that
district, and nota bene was tadueu, asserting
that he was tie fortunate possessor OF an ex-
trcmely beautiful wife, every one was on the
Qui vive to receive him. Mnch to our disap-
pontment, however, he arrived alone, having
lett bis spouse 10 enjoy the society OF her
friends IN Calcutta Tor few weeks, alter
which she was to follow him with their only
child.
MIR. Norman Fraser was man about thir-
ty-five years OF age, tall, muscular and pre-
emnently handsome; moreover, be was high
Nv educated, and possessed such powers OF
and soon became a universal favorite.
He infused new lite into OR little coterie,
and many were the lamentations whenever
his genial countenance did not beam across
our mess:table. Our colonels two hard tea-
tured Regular garrison girls" who had fiirt-
ed successfully with every sub whom they bad
met during the last ten years-were enchant-
ed by him, and openly lameDted that he was
already Benedict; for, though he was "only
-. Al hov Oi1d
enough to have had the ghost OF chance
to ensuare HIM in the Silken meShes of matrl-
mony.
1t was custom in those days for officers
to remain over the mess table long alter the
cloth had been removed, and, unless man
possessed very strong bead, he was pref
ty certain to retire to lest in lamentabe be.
logged condition. One night, when we AL
had been INDUCING pretty freely, the CONVEX
saton turned 10 biliards-an interesting topic,
for most of us were good players.
"Have you seen Fraser play? He beat
Webb easily to-day, and III back him against
any man in the regiment" said Captain Ra-
per. who considered himself an authority on
matters connected with games of skill.
81 always give Webb points, and l wont
shrink measuring cues with the collector
though he certainly plays very good game,
Ireplied. ,. u.,.ou !
ERASER, Olu IellOW, AlcutcHdut 1AOiOJu
thinks that he is your equal at billiards. viii
you let me back you Tor gamew Raper cried
across the table.
The collector, who was "half.seas Lver,'
promptly expressed his willingness to at once
engage with me, SO l registered bet OF a
hundred rupees with Captain Raper, and we
adjourned to the billiard room. had prac-
ticed great deal in my leisure hours. and
knew myself to be steady player, while, from
what had seen OF Fraser's play, judged
that he became nervous and irritable, ii luck
went against him ever so little; therefore
did not hesitate TO accept few other bets
offered by admirers OF my opponents brilliant
style.
We had got about halfway through the
game, and our scores were nearly equal, when
| made three most palpable hukes in one
break, and this so annoyed my semi-inebriat'
Ell 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 courte-
GUS and urbane OF men; but when excited by
wine, he was inclined to be insolent and over
bearing
was more than thirty points ahead, when
shot presented itself to me that was very
difficult OF accomplishment. It vas a 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 il
undoubtedly touched it, and went on the red
making the carcm. A dispute instantly arose
when claimed the shot.
"You never hit the first ball, sirw cried
Fraser, loudly.
81 know did not, but my ball did" re.
piled carelessiv.
sits false! There was no carom."
"Do you lnsnuate l lie, sir?"
Eyes! You are both liar and cheatw
Human nature could not stand that.
slapped my traducers's face. My brother off.
GERS interfered, and, when nay temper cooled
found myself walking on the verandah with
my intimate friend. Ned Howson.
"Come, Holroyd, let's get some soda water
steady, Tor Fraser is sure to challenge you TO-
morrow" he said.
I took his advice and the beverage he
recommended, and was up bright aud early
the following morning. About ten o'clock,
CaptAin Raper came to my quarters. He
took seat and "peg' before he explaine d
his mission. AS had expected, he vas the
bearer of cartel from Mr.. Fraser.
"Ths is devilish unpleasant business alto
gether, Holroyd; but suppose YOU perceive
there is no alternative, Will you name your
friend, tor don't suppose yCu intend to apol-
ogize," said the captain, who bore the reputa-
tion of being fire eater.
/ told him I should leave everything in the
hands of Lieutenant Howson, and he went
10 that gentleman in order to arrange prelim-
inaries.
About mid day my friend came to me, and
told me that he had agreed with the second
of Mr., Fraser as to the place, time of meeting,
and weapons to be used in the forthcoming
duel. He also limited that if had any leG-
tiers 10 write, in case of accident, it would be
well tn do them at said he WOuld all
to accompany me at the rendezvous at dawn
the next morning; and, whea thanked him,
and promised to prepare myself for slaughter,
lett to hunt up the doctor, leaving me 10 re-
fleet upon my position.
Duelling was much in vogue at that period,
but had never been before been principal
il an gfaire dhonneur, and, l confess, my
feelings upon this occasion were not pleasant
ones.
III the first place l liked Mr.. Fraser very
much, and | knew full well 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 hostile meeting, unless accorded him
an ample and abject apologize do which
would have required far more courage than to
fight, for should have been stigmatized as a
coward and completely ostracised by my
brother officers.
1t was the rainy season. and tolerably cool
so when had finished putting my house in
order,' as Howson had advised, set out for
long walk, thinking that exercise would steady
my nerves, which were somewhat unstrung by
the effects Of the potatons of the previous
night.
As strolled lesurely upon my way, pom
barely four years before had set out from
bnn,o fr1ll nf zeal and ambition fHo hnnn of