Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-01-13

no follies, and taking yourself off to
sleep early this evening. De B--,and
| are going to talk awhile with you and
see you to bed, and tomorrow at ten [
shall come for you to 60 to the fencing-
roOn."
| demonstrated, bit to no purpose,
and after the play we all went to my
apartments. We lit cigars, chatted an
hour, and then my friends went away,
leaving me alone, face to face with
myself and the prospect of the NOR
row.
Naturally desired to set my affairs IN
Order
Hardly had | begun to take out the
variotts PAPERS, bills, inventories and let
tefs, when [ saw them iii such disorder
that | pushed them all back peHanell
into the drawer without the courage to
examine further.
So | simply wrote a short letter, LII
the most tender terms, to my mother
sealed and addressed it carefully, and
left it ON the bureau. Then | went to
bed, and, contrary to my expectations,
was able to sleep. My last cofiselous
thought was this Who knows il to-
morrow evening I shall see this cham.
Der once more =? Who knows if | shall
ever again lie down upon this bed?
On waking, the first thing | saw was
Georges head beside my pillow. In o
second the thought of my first dael
flashed across me, and | felt sorG Ell
oppression at the heart. Then, aEtet
the first hand-clasp, [ examined his
dress-black coat, light trousers, pearl
gray gloves. | was sure he had inten
tionally avoided the lugubrious toile'
common on such occasions. He per
ceived my impression. RI
"My dear fellow" said he, "it is 10
longer the custom to 60 to such met
ing as to burial it is a simple PRONE
nade."
Joseph seemed surprised, but returned
a moment later with the objects deSig-
mated. George examined the shirts
with scrupulotis care.
Good. That will do. Now Take
these boots to the shoemaker, and tell
him to cut off the heels close to the sole
like this. Go, and be quick"
[ listened in bewIlderment while this
ait is important" he explained, not
to have the heel catch and make you
lose your balance when you are hand
ling sword. Besides, you want your
foot firm, but not pressing too hard. 1t
is superb weather. You are really for
tunate. You cain fight in linen trow
sers, which is much the most convenient
dress"
Decidedly my friend George took gi-
gantic proportions III my eyes. With
out word I put on the things he
showed me; black coat, black waist
coat, white linen trousers. A few min
utes more and we were at the hall.
George appeared very well satisfied with
n1y fencing, but he renewed his recon-
mendations of the day before, to which
| listened with all my ears.
"That's it; stick him in the arm as
you advance-good-capital! When
you quit your adversarys sword to at
tack, disengage, and lunge below his
hand. Well done There, that's
enough; no need to fatigue yourself for
nothing"
We went for the doctor; common
friend and old college comrades. A
good liver, with a frank, merry face and
iovial eye, and ready to do anything
for us all. He took his case of surgical
instruments, slipping it into his pocket
aside that | might not see. Lint, some
bandages, few phials, and q bottle
of pure water, which he gave to the
coachman.
All three of us breakfasted with de
B. The meal was gay, with occa-
sional moments of unusual gravity.
Spite of the carelessness of my charac-
ter was afraid of making a fool of my
self. When no one saw me, | stole a
glance at the clock; obviously the wait
ing at once excited and enervated me.
What ] dreaded was neither wounds nor
death, but the unknown; in word that
inseparable emotion Of a first debut,
which has become proverbial. [ felt the
need of locomotion, of occupation, men
tai or physical. l gave way TO abrupt,
nervous movements, harsh bursts of
laughter. And yet was not afraid. We
talked a great DEAL and it was noticeable
that whenever the conversation wan
dered away from the palpitating present
one of us involuntarily recalled it.
"Tell me, DOCTOR" | said to Escula-
Plus, "do you consider o'clock in the
afternoon a good time to fight?"
"Assuredly," replied L, tranquil
ly; you have none Of the uncertainties
and tremors of too early rising; you are
at your ease; digestion is effected, and
that allows the performance of an opera
ton"
Against my will l shuddered at the
phrase, performance of an operation" :"
uttered with so much placidity.
To turn it off | went to the piano.
Just then the footman came to tell us
that our landau was at the door.
"Come," said George, "weh ave no
time to lose. We have still to 60 for the
other gentleman who will take us to ST..
VS. Park. That is where the affair
will take place; nobody will distrust us
there. Come on"
/ took my hat quickly. l had the
honor of being the first outside, but in
the depths of my heart | am afraid |
hkened my friend George to the most
accomplished of torturers.
We got into the landau. The other
gentlemen were all ready, and went on
before us. The way was long, too long.
To me il seemed interminable. From
the back seat 1 gazed at the landscape,
smoking all the while, with an absent
air. Opposite me was Georges pale face,
his black mustache emphasizing his
manly countenance. His eyes never lost
sight of me, and his hand again ener-
getically pressed mine.
Beside me sat the doctors good COM
Portable figure. In the bottom of the
carriage were the light swords, with
curved guards and light hits, easy in
hand, not too long nor so flexible as
aaSiIv to t1Irn the edoa 7 felt a childish