Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-05-31

companion that it might have been an
accident.
"No," said she, very decidedly. "It
was not an accident. 1t was intentional.
l wish you to demand an apology In
my name"
"Don't you think it would be better"
said /, in great embarrassment, Ito
treat it with silent cOntempt?"
Sophronia was by no means of this
opinion. Accordingly L approached
the gentleman, who appeared still more
formidable on nearer view, and asked
in what was intended to be a resOlute
tone, "What he meant by insulting the
lady under my charger"
"Sir-r-r!" he calculated, wheeling
sharply around.
repeated my request in a fainter
tone, ana suggested that L trusted it
was accidental on his part.
Stroking his moustache very fiercely,
| ne informed me that he had no expla-
nation to make; that if wished to hear
from him at any time. 1 should have an
opportunity, and forthwith presented
his card. Without stopping to look at
it, SUNK away i'm the crowd and soon
reached home.
My companion intimated that she
supposed should seek satisfaction in
the usual way.
/ said something indistinctly-I 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, As
tor house. Very probably he was dis
tinguished by the same qualities which
characterized his great namesake, and
il made ME shiver even to think of
conflict with him. Resolving that 1
would at least take every possible
means to avoid it, went to bed and
sank into a slumber disturbed by fright
ful dreams, in which | fancied myself
shot through the heart by the terrible
Achilles Brown.
Early next morning, while in the
momentary expectation of hearing the
breakfast bell, | was startled by knock
at the door. Immediately afterward
entered tall man, "bearded like pard."
He introduced himself to me as a cousin
of SOphronia, and intimated that, hav-
lily VI NhC
Gus evening, he had come to offer his
services as my second.
Thanking him for his kindness, l
said that 1 had not, as yet, decided TO
call out the gentleman in question.
"Not yet decided?" repeated my Wis
itor, springing to his feet, causing me
thereby to recede two PAGES in some
personal apprehension; mot yet de-
cided! But perhaps l do not under
stand you"
l intimated rather uncomfortably,
that had conscientious scruples against
the practice of the duello.
Conscientious fiddlesticks ~ inter-
rupted my visitor. "Sir, you must
| fight. There is no alternative. A lady
has been insulted while under your pro-
lection. The lady is my cousin. Un-
less you take notice of il, must"
"But you have no quarrel with Capt.
Brown said.
"You misunderstood me-" said he
gravely. UNLESS you challenge Capt.
Brown, shall understand it as a per-
sonal disrespect to my cousin, and shall
challenge you. Chose which of us you
will fight"
cumbed at once. L reflected that, while
in duel with my visitor, there would
be less credit.
"Shall / write the missive?" inquired
my companion, who called himself
Lieutenant Eustace.
"Yes," said j, frankly.
He sat down at my desk, and in few
O. ,~r<.l,,.aI ha fnllnu-inn.
Sir: You grossly insulted q young lady,
man Of honor call upon you for an ample
apology, or for the usual satisfaction accorded
in such cases. l send them by Lieutenant
Eustace, who is authorized to act as my friend.
Yours etc, PETER SMITH.
Captain Achilles Brown"
Having signed this with some misgiv-
ings, enquired as to the character of
the Captain Brown.
81 don't know much about him."
said my friend, "but suppose he is a
regular fire-eater."
This was satisfactory-very.
4 "Suppose," said 1, i'm tremendous
voice, "you erase the word ample be-
fore apology l consider apology suf-
ficient."
"But shall not" was the lieuten-
ants emphatic reply.
There was no more to be said. He de-
parted with his missive; and was left
i'm no very enviable frame of mind. On
his return, elias he apologized?'' l en-
quired eagerly.
"Not a bit of it," was the reply; che
vows that he will shed the last drop of
his blood first"
"What sanguinary monster he must
be-" was my internal reflection.
"The meeting is appointed for to-
morrow morning, an hour before sun
rise," resumed the lieutenant. SIT is
to take place at Hoboken; weapons,
pistols; distance fifteen PAGES"
"Isn't 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 chance of that"
l could not help wondering whether
he would be so cool about it if he were
the principal, and l the second. In
fact, 1 have always observed that sec
onds are much more serupulous about
the honor of their principals than they
are disposed TO be about their own.
think it altogether likely that l should
make a fierce second.
81 suppose you are used to pistols ~
remarked my friend.
Used to pistols! l remember once
having fired one as boy, to the immi-
nent danger Of my little sisters life.
Since then had not had one in my
hands.
As strolled out into the streets in an
unhappy frame of mind, newsboy
thrust into my hand a daily paper,
which mechanically bought. Glanc-
ing over the columns, observed that a
boat was advertised as about to start
that day for Havana. The hour of de-
parture was four i'm 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.