The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-26

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 name.
sake, and it made me shivcr even to think Of
a conflict with him. Resolving that would
at least take every possible means to avoid
it, went to bed and sank into a slumber
disturbed by frghtful dreams, in which
fancied myself shot through the heart by
the terrible Achilles Brown.
Early next morning, while in the momcn-
tary expectation of hearing the breakfast
bell, / was startled by knock at the door
Immediately anerward entered tall man,
"bearded Ikea pard" lie introduced HIM
selfto me as a cousin of Sophrona, and in
timated that, having heard Of my difficulty
of the previous evening, he had come to offer
his services as my second.
Thanking him for his kindness, i said that
I 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 appre-
henson. "Not yet decided But perhaps
do not understand you"
Iintimated, rather uncomfortable, that I
had conscientious scruples against the prac-
tice of the duello.
conscientious fddlesticks ~ interrupted
my visitor. "Sir, you must fight. There is
no alternative. A lady has been insulted
while under your protection. That lady is
my cousin. Unless you take notice of it, I
must.
"But you have no quarrel with Capt.
Brown" I said.
"You misunderstood me, said he. gravely.
"Unless you challenge Capt. Brown, shall
it as a personal dsrespect to my
cousir, and shall challenge you. Choose
which Of us you will fight"
This was said so resolutely that 7 sue
cumbed at once. / reflected that, while ther
was equal danger TO be incurred in duel
with my visitor, there would be less credit.
"Shall write the missive?" inquired my
companion, who called himself Lieutenant
Eustace.
eyes," said I, family
He sat down at my desk, and in few
minutes produced the following:
"Sir: You grossly insulted young lady,
while under my protection, last evening.
As man of honor call upon you for ample
apology, or for the usual satisfaction accord
ed in such cases. l send them by Lieut..
Eustace, who is authorized to act as my
friend.
Yours, etc, PETER SMITH.
captain Achilles Brown"
Having signed this, with some misgivings,
I inquired as to the character of Captain
Brown.
81 don't know much about him." said my
friend, "but suppose he is a regular fire
eater"
This was satisfactory-very.
Suppose" said |, in a tremulous voice,
"you erase the word ample before apology
] consider apology sufficient"
"But 1 shall not" was the lieutenant's
emphatic reply.
There was no more to be said. lie de-
parted with his missive and was left in no
very enviable frame of mind. On his re-
turn, 'Has he apologized ?" l inquired,
eagerly.
"Not bit of it," was the reply "he
VOWS that he will shed the last drop of his
blood first"
"What sangunary monster he must be-"
was my internal reflection.
"The meeting is appointed for tomorrow
morning, an hour before SUNRISE" resumed
the lieutenant. SIT is to take place at Hobo
ken; weapons, pistols; distance, fifteen
PAGES"
"lsnt that rather near ?" ventured to
remark.
"Near? OF course you want it near. You
will be more likely to hit your man.
"And he will be more likely to hit me-"
replied.
"Of course" was the reply. "You must
take your chances of that"
| could not help wondering whether he
would be so cool about it if he were the
principal, and | the second In fact have
always observed that seconds are much more
about the honor of their princi-
pals than they are disposed to be about their
own. suppose it is human nature. think
it altogether likely that should make a very
fierce second.
81 suppose you are used to pistols?" re.
marked my friend.
Used to pistols! | remember once having
fred one as a boy, to the imminent danger
of my little sisters life. Since then had
not had one in my hands.
As ! strolled out into the streets in an un-
happy frame of mind, newsboy thrust into
my hand daily paperwhich mechanically
bought. Glancing over the columns, OBJ
served that boat was advertised as about
to start that day for Havana. The hour of
departure was 4 in the afternoon. A sudden
thought struck me. Would it not be much
better to embark for Cuba than to remain
behind to be shot?-a result which the state
of my nerves and my want of practice with
the pistol rendered altogether probable.
With newborn alacrity, Immediately re-
paired to the boat, and demanded to see the
agent He informed me that the boat would
positively start at the hour indicated.
asked to see the list of passengers.
Running my eyes casually down the list,
my heart beat quickly as they fell upon the
last name. Could it be possible that my op-
pOnent, Captain Achilles Brown, had secured
passage What could be his motive?
"When did this gentleman book his name
as passenger" ! inquired,
"Not half an hour since"
Odd he understand that the boat started
to.day~
ayes; he made particular enquiries on
that point"
"Will you describe him to me : Is he
tall ?"
"Hes, quite So"