Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1872-01-10
TIE FATAL DUEL.

OLD Dr.. TAIHAN VAS sitting costly
1'ith his daughter one morning when
The servant camc in and announced Mr..
Irving and his son.
Leave us, Amy, darling, for 81 short
time, viii you? said the doctor to his
daughter.
Amy latham was Il charming girl, IL
the fresh bloom of youth aud beauty.
don't think she quite liked being sent
away just at the moment and It is quite
certain that she raised her head very
suddenly when she heard the name.
Walter Irving mentioned.
Bother business dear papa' said viii
ful Amy; butremsmber you have prom
ised not to keep me away long, and if
you don't keep your word, shall come
in and surprise you. Goodbye, you old
dear.
When Amy latham had left the room,
the doctor turned towards the servant,
who still stood at the door.
Ask Mr.. Irving aud his son 10 walk
in, please, and don't let me be disturb
ed unless there is something very in
portant to be done.
Mr. Irving was q fiue-iookiug old gem
tlemau of the Colonel Newcombe stamp;
his son not so tall, or of such com
manding presence, but intelligent look
ing, and also gentlemanly. The father
was about sixty; tho son twenty five,
but looking evidently younger.
After commencing on few ordinary
topics Of conversation, Mr.. Irving WAS
about to come TO the point, and explain
more particularly the object of his visit
on this occasion, when be was stopped
by the doctor.
beg pardon, said he, bat may l be
allowed to interrupt you for moment.
Il would be absurd of me, to affect igno-
rance Of the object of your visit. Be-
fore, however, 1 can listen 60 what eth
er you or your son have got to say, I
have something very Important to di-
vulge. must take you into my conf
dence, and relate something which it is
| necessary you should know-a secret
which I fearlessly entrust to you.
Walter Irving rose.
The doctor appreciated the modest
difddencc of the young man, as he
showed by the smile which played over
his features.
Ny dear boy, said the doctor, l beg
that you will remain. What 1 have to
say affects you more particularly than
any one else here. You have been a
good son, and I feel confident that you
will make an excellent husband. Your
love for my daughter is warm and gen
crOus; butpromisc me now-promise me,
the father Of the girl you love and de-
sire to marry promise me, as the gentle
man that you are, that you will religi-
ously keep my secret. Keep it; yes;
even from my daughter!
3Ir. Irving and his son were evident
Iy not prepared for 50 serious an inter
view. However they promised faith
fully TO obey the doctors earnest request,
aud waited patiently for him to con-
tinue.
The doctor looked round ia his chair,
to assure himself that they were alone,
and then, clearing his throat and ad-
dressing himself more particularly to
young Walter Irving, spoke as follows:
Eight and-twenty years ago was
studying medicine at German univer-
sity. It was at Heidelberg. I did not
take up this study until late in life, in
fact, considerably after had taken my
degree at Oxford.
When / first took up my residence
in Heidelberg, the somewhat absurd Gus.
tom Of duelling between the students
was in vogue.
The students were mad Oh the sub
Ijeet of duelling, and the slightest dis
turbance resulted in q formal and hos
tile encounter, Hardlya day passed that
some duel or other did not take place.
The students fought occasionally with
the townspeople, and, I need hardly add
perpetually among themselyes.