National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-02-10

one break, and tins so annoNcd my semi
mcbrlnted antagonist that he played wildly
missing most easy shots, and all the while
denouncing my style of execution in nC
very measured terms. When sober, h,
was the most courteou, and urbne ofmen
but when excited by wine, he was inclined
to be insolent and ovcrhcarin2.
was more than thirty points ahead
when shot presented itself 10 me that
was very difficult of accomplishment. IL
was straight caron but, in order TO make
it, the object ball had to be very finely
grazed indeed. My ball scarcely moved
tho object ball, though it undoubtedly
touched it, and went on the red, making
! the carom, A dispute instantly arose
when | claimed the shot.
"lou never hit the first ball, sir ~ cried
Fraser, loudly.
~ know | did not, but my ball did |
replied, carelessly
"lt's false! There was no carom.H
DO You insinuate lie, sir :"
Yes ! You are both liar and cheat ~
I Human nature could not stand that,
slapped my traduccr's face My brother
officers interitred, and, when my temper
cooled | found myself walking on the YER
andah with my intimate friend, Ned How
son.
Come, Ilolroyd 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.
| 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 a devlish unpleasant business
altogether, llolroyd, but | suppose you
perceive that there is no alternative viii
You name your friend, for don't suppose
you intend to apologizr,' said the captain,
who bore the reputation of being fire
cater.
told him | should leave everything in
the hands of Lieutenant Howson, and he
went to that gentleman in order to arrange
prcimlnarios.
About midday my friend came to me,
and lold me that hc had agreed with the
second Of Mr. Erase as to the place, time
of meeting, and weapons to be used in the
forthcoming duel. He also limited that if
had any letters to write, in case Of acci
dent, it would be as well to do them at
once said he would call to accompany me
to the rendezvous at dawn the next morn
Ing; and, when | thanked him, and prom
ised to prepare myself for slaughter, left to
hunt up the doctor, leaving me to reflect
upon my position.
Dueling was much in vogue at that pc
rod, but | had never before been princ-
pal III an aliaire d'honneur, and, confess,
my feelings upon this occasion were not
pleasant ones.
In the first place. | 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,
unles, | accorded him an ample and abiect
apology y-to do which would have required
far more courage than to fight for should
have been stIgmaiized IA coward and
completely ostracised by my brother-otfi-
GERS.
1t was the RAINY season, and tolerably
cool, SO when had finished putting my
house in order as llowson had advised,
set out for a long walk, thinking that ex-
ercise would steady my nerves, which were
somewhat unstrung by the effects Of the
potations of the previous night,
As | strolled leisurcly upon my way, |
pondered upon my past life. thought of
how, barely four years before, had set
out from home full of hope and ambition,
the hope of winning name and fame in the
profession | had chosen earnest in my
heart and now, before had even ileshed
my maiden sword, before | was even fairly
launched upon my career, | had placed
myself in such position that it was more
than probable my hopes, my zeal, ambition,
and my life, would be cut down like
flower ! cursed the enemy man puts in
his mouth to steal away his brains : |
thought of the happy home in 'Fatherland
that would be made desolate by my death
| thought Of the dear loved ones who
would mourn me there, and my heart was
filled with bitter anguish--insery 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 deep into sea of grief, and
leave fathereSs his innocent child.
was aroused from this bitter train OF
thought by the hollow thud of rapidly ad- ,
vancing hooGs, and, on looking up, saw a
lady, whose face was totally unfamiliar to
me, vainly endeavoring to restrain met
tlcsome horse she was riding. The first .
glance told me she was a ,killful eques trian,
the second that she was unacquainted with .
the locality, for she seemed evidently bent .
upon taking the fire out of her stced by
urging him forward and to 90 forward | .
knew full well meant to rush headlong to .
destruction, for right in that direction lay, /
half concealed by bushes, deep nullah, or
water course, down which torrent, swol- .
len by the recent rains, rolled in rushing
cataracts over the rock-stIewn bed.
Turn, madam turn for your life, there .
is danger ahead !" ] cried, as | rushed to-
ward : ne point for which she was heading. /
t. lady turned her face, and saw it .
was air as an angels her symmetrical
figure showed TO full advantage as she used .
her utmost efforts to curb her horse, and .
her hair, which had escaped from the rib
bons that had bound it, tloated, wave of
gold. far in her wake. | was near enough
to see the bloom Of excitement fade from
her cheeks when she heard my warming
near enough to see that the barb was now
beyond her control, and that a catastrophe
was inevitable.
A swift runner, | started forward at full
speed. and gained the brink Of the nullah
lust in time to see the horse and it, rider
disappear from view in tie boiling food
that surged at my feet. For few seconds
stood paralyzed; then l saw the animal
struggle to the surface, and knew that its
rider had freed herself There was little
, l.. I IL x-puld hta ]