St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-08-01

veloped III gloom and mystery. AT the
close of the wear 1912. she sailed from
Charleston in Il vessel bound for New
York. for the purpose Of visiting her
father. Her husband was then Gov
ernor of South Carolina. Though he
provided everything for her safety
which wealth and influence could COM
mand, the vessel never reached its dcs-
tinati"n, was never heard from after
leaving Charleston harbOr. At last all
hope ended: the certainty that Theo-
d0sia was dead came home to them. and
Aaron Burr was bercaved as few have
been bereaVed-left to "a life all win
ter, war within himself to wage" Still,
the properties of n mind stern, uncom-
planning and calm, Il profound, schem-
ing. subtle and powerful intellect sus-
tanned him; and while the musings of
his solitude became motive offering
To the dead-a rightful homage to their
memory-he retained superiority among
men and brilliancy at the bar. He
was endowed hy nature with the power
of gaining aSccndancy over those with
whom he was brought into contact.
Whenever he desired To please he could
exercise Establishments which none but
Aaron Burr ever possessed. Then he
had attractions for all-smies for the
silent. deep attention for the lOquacious,
hadinagc for the gay, sentiment for the
grave. and romance for the Young.
Colonel Burr was compelled to re-
main at Utica for several days. Dur
ing his stay he divested himself OF that
rctlccnce and GOODNESS which usually
characterized his intercourse with stran-
gers. and became general favoritc
with the members of the bar who were
present.
One afternoon number of Young
lawyers amused themselves by shooting
at Il target with pistols. As the exer-
ciScs continued long after the adjourn
memt of court for the day. many law
ycrs and others who were attending
court assembled to witness the sport.
Among the deeply interested spectators
was Colonel Burr. While kecnly watch
ing the effect of each shot. two Young
lawyers who had been engaged in shoot
ing. approached him.
Colonel Burr. said one of them. 1--we
should he very happy to witness your
skill ut target shooting"
My skill at target-shootiug How
came y0u To suppose had any skill as
Il marksman T. said Burr. fixing hir
/ piercing eye upon the speaker.
You are an old soldier. Colonel Burr
and We have always heard you spoken
of aS the best shot in America" said the
Young man.
''It i many wears since | was a
soldier. and have had hut little prac-
tice with the pistol since leaving the
army. Times of peace do not. or at
least they should not. furnish many
occasions for the Use of that weapon.
since those occasions often have Il last
ing I, gTet. But rs your invitation Ia
join your sport was So respectfully
given. will accept it. At least. | shall
shoot once at the target. That will he
sufficient for my unpracticcd hand. Let
me see your pistols"
Several were brought him. Select
ing one of them. he balanced il Il mo-
mcnt III his hand. sighted across the
barrel: then. taking his stand nj the
line from which each contestant fired.
he raised his arm and presented the
pistol.
1t was moment of intense. almost
dramatic interest. Before the spccta-
I tors. pistol in hand. stood Aaron Bum
the very arm outStretchcd which. on
the nights of Wechawkcn. laid the il
lustrious Hamilton cold in death. The
eye that WAS now sighting the pistol
had CLEANED along a deathful weapon
| in mortal combat had hchcld his foe
sink at his feet. hathcd in blood. But
Il qui,k flash Il sharp report broke the
| spell that held the spectators the hul-