The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-06-15

'A~--
Their names 1 found to be Mr.. and Mrs
George A Peck.
"During the rest of the trip, both b.
river and overland, to Austin, l Learned
much Of their history. They were origin
ally from Midway, Mass, and were blu
recently married. Mr. Peck had begun
quite successful career as journalist il
Boston, but, by the inducements Of hi
uncle, who resided in Austin, and owned
large tracts of land, he had been tempted
after his marriage, to immigrate to tina
place, and start newspaper to advocate
annexation to the States. Boxed up ant
being conveyed as freight with US, was thu
necessary material for printing office
Both Mr.. Peck and his wife had beer
literally educated, and their conversation
was source of qualification to me. Alto
gether, always look back to that journe.
as one of the happiest of my life.
CATER we arrived in Austin, which wa
then scattered hamlet, my young friends
were taken in charge by their relative
whom 1 found to be an intelligent, well
educated, shrewd, money making Yankee
He is now one of the Supreme Cour
Judges, and a great friend Of Genera
Houston.
Not caring to lose time, 1 remained il
Austin only three days, and started, with 3
Mexican half breed as guide, for the west
ern confines of my division; and for tive
months, nearly, 1 was out of the civilized
world. My mission was success, how
ever; so that when l reached Austir
again, prior to examining the seaboard set
Elements, and wishing to stay a few days
with the new friends had made, l forward
ed to my Government most favorable
report.
"When l arrived in Austin from the
West, young Peck had just got his office
in the condition ours is in to-day And
what may seem strange, party of gentle
men, among the rest, sat in his sanctum
on the evening following my arrival. The
subject under discussion was motto fol
his paper. AS we all sat making our sug.
gestions, tall, ill-favored Texan entered
the room. He appeared to be known to a
few present, so NO questions were put to
him. Taking seat, he listened to the
various notices suggested. Drawing by
lottery was finally agreed on, by the re-
quest of Peck's uncle. The motto drawn
was BE JUST AND FEAR NoT.-George A.
Peck
"The Texan whom had noticed enter
ing the room was the first to hail the sue
cessful motto and its writer. Fine motto.
Lucky Peck he remarked in peculiar
voice.
every one present turned to look at
the owner of the voice. Observing the
attention he had attracted, he continued:
9 That is a good motto, Peck; but l know
a better one. Did you ever hear the old
Indian proverb, Fast he runs, faster fol-
low ?'
"There was an insulting look in the
mans eyes, and menace in his tone, which
Peck noticed.
"'W What do you want here, sir? he said,
addressing the intruder.
ga life for a life! My name is Ned
Burton
every one present thought tho man
insane. l, however, knew what he want
ed, and on the spur of the moment, rose to
confront him: but too late. He had struck
my poor friend Peck heavy blow across
the face, and then spat upon him. For the
all was in confusion, during which
the assailant escaped from the room, Peck
was frantic with rage and grief at the
indignity put upon him, which we tried to
assuage, but with little success.
"Next day, characteristic note from
the man Burton was handed to Peck, by a
friend of the formers, inviting chal-
lense, which Peck instantly dispatched,
without consulting his friends. When l
learned of it, I tried to dissuade him from
80 foolish step. l painted to him the
worthless character of his assailant, but to
no purpose. The blow he had received
was ranking in his breast. His uncle and
the friends he had made in Austin en-
treated him to forsgo his intentions. He
was deaf to their entreaties. His wife did
not know of it, and no one felt inclined to
disturb her peace of mind, all hoping that
he would come out OF the struggle unharm-
sd.
"It was rainy morning during the lat
ter part of November, when the principals
and seconds in the tragedy about to be
enacted met on plateau near AUSTIN
Peck had, by his challenge, given the
choice of weapons, and he had selected pis-
tolls. Before the combatants got into posi-
ton, walked over to Burton and asked
him to apologize, as Peck was innocent Of
the death of his brother; that l was the
one who killed him.
"'Yes, you killed him; but he, yonder,
was the cause he remarked. 'One at
time. Your turn will come next
"The sneerins way in which this was
said enraged me SO that l struck him. The
seconds interfered, and the preparations
went forward again. The ground marked
off, and the weapons being examined, the
took their positions. In those
lays, the signal in Texas was the firing of
. pistol. Peck whispered to me, 6 If I fall,
break it gently to her. Goodbye A
slight culver ran over him-the only sign
If weakness had noticed. A shake ofthe
land-a report-another- poor Peck
ell dead. He was shot through the brain.
Tears rose to my eyes when ] looked at
lin. l then thought of his wife. How
Gould break the sad intelligence to her?
It took me till noon to summon up cour-
.ge to do it. 1 shall never forget the scene
hat followed.
"For months the girl bride-the girl
widow now-lay fluttering between life aud
leath. l went off upon my commission,
Ifter seeking in vain for Burton, who
never came near Austin after the duel
Returning, after nay labors were complet-
ID, to Austin, found Mrs. Peck GONZALES
ent, but spiritless and melancholy. l I'M
lertook to see her safe back to Massachu-
ka oh hnr