The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-07-07


ought to devote more attention to it but
l can never sing except when inspiration
seizes me. If you will come in to morrow
evening, will sing to you, if you would
like" expressed my thanks for this dis
interested kindness, and, as the concert
was finished, proceeded to escort the lady
home.
AS we were making our way through the
crowd, it chanced that some one, accident
ally, or otherwise, jostled my companion
She Immediately seized my arm convul-
sively, and informed me that she had been
insulted.
"Who did it ?" stammered for con-
fess my courage is not of the highest or
der.
In reply, Sophronia pointed out tall
gentleman with fierce moustache, who
was standing at little distance.
Mentally deciding that it might not be
prudent to have an alteration with such a
person, fastened to assure my companion
that it might have been an accident
"No," said she, very decidedly. at
was not an accident. 1t was intentional. /
wish you to demand an apology in my
name"
"Don't, you think it would be BETTER"
said l. in great embarrassment, to treat
him with silent contemptP"
Sophronia was by no means of hat opin-
ion. Accordingly approached the gentle
man, who appeared still more formidable
on nearer view, and asked, in what was
intended to be resolute tone, What he
meant by insulting a lady under my
charge ?"
"Sir-r-r ~ he calculated, wheeling sharp
ly around.
repeated my request in fainter tone,
and suggested that l trusted it was acci-
dental on his part
Stroking his moustache very fiercely he
informed me that he had no expla nation to
make that if wished to hear from him at
any time, should have an opportunity,
and forthwith presented me his card.
Without stopping to look at it, skunk
away in the crowd, and soon reached
home.
My companion intimated that she sup
posed / should seek satisfaction in the
usual way.
l said something indstinctly - am
not sure exactly what-and very thank
fully took leave of the fair Sophronia in the
entry.
Reaching my chamber, l examined the
card which had been placed in my hand,
and found inscribed thereon the name of
Captain Achilles Brown, Astor House
Very probably he was distinguished by the
same qualities which characterized his
great namesake, and it made me shiver
even to think of a conflict with him. Re-
solving that would at least take every
possible means to avoid it, went to bed
and sank into slumber disturbed by
frightful dreams, in which fancied myself
shot through the heart by the terrible
Achilles Brown.
Early next morning while in the mo-
mentary expectation of hearing the break
fast-bell | was startled by knock at the
door. Immediately afterward entered a
tall man, "bearded like pard.' He in
troduced himself to me as a cousin of So
phronia, and intimated that, having heard
Of my difficulty of the previous evening, he
had come to offer his services as my
second.
that had not, as yet, decided to call out
the gentleman in question.
"Not yet decided ?" repeated my visitor,
springing to his feet, causing me thereby
to recede two PAGES, in some personal ap-
prehension; "not yet decided But per-
haps do not understand you? ?"
l intimated, rather uncomfortably, that
had conscientious scruples against the
practice Of the duello
Conscientious fiddlesticls - interrupt
ed my visitor. "Sir you must llght.-
There is no alternative. A lady has been
insulted while under your protection.
That lady is my cousin. Unless you take
notice of it, must %
" But you have no quarrel with Captain
Brown" / said.
"You misunderstood me, - said he grave
ly. "Unlcss you challenge Captain Brown
l shall understand it as a personal disre-
spect to my cousin, and shall challenge
you. Choose which of us you will fight"
This was said so resolutely that sue
cumbed at once. l reflected that while
there was equal danger to be incurred in a
duel with my visitor, there would be less
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