Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-05-25

0 ~. i
he should be gratified, but that the whole
responsibility would rest upon him. He
answered that he would take that, and
left him.
[ saw at once that my principal was in a
vsrv dangerous position-that this man
possessed great hostility, vindictiveness,
decision. and no doubt courage, and in his
frame Of mind was likely to be perfectly
reckless. though my chief hope lay in
his ungOvernable rage and excitement
which might save my principal
Upon leaving l sought his second and ar
ranged the terms with him, which were
common style-pistols, ten PAGES, Friday
morning, sunrise, about four miles out.
L Immediately Joined my principal in the
/ country, at the plantation of friend, and
as / had but two days in which to prepare
him for the combat, drilled him regular
I ly IN the mode Of meeting, and in the use
| OF the weapon. The pistols were no great
| things, but town gUnsmith had made
! them reliable, which was all that could be
| made out Of them, for they were rather
! heavy, and not very well finished. In prae-
/ ticing I abolished taking aim over the
sights and beads, and made him shoot pre-
eisely like shooting with bow and arrow,
viz: by drawing to the eye.
My principal improved well. He pos
| sessed a fine intellect, easy and quick Of
comprehension, splendid gray eye, good,
strong muscular power, and 1t appeared to
me, fair, reliable courage; so that by the
| day appointed, l felt confident of his abili-
/ ty to hit his antagonist, and his courage to
''stand the racket" | cautioned and prac-
ticed him against letting his fire be drawn,
which beginners are very apt to allow, and
required above all that he should not fire
until fully ready. He promised strict con-
| formity to all my directions, though one
| feature | was not pleased with, VIZ, on
several occasions he asked If thought it
imperatiyely necessary that he should en-
deavor to kill his antagonist. replied
that no doubt could exist on that point
that he was compelled TO fight and risk his
life to crafty the revenge Of a Vindictive
man, without solitary excuse, and no
doubt his great object was to revenge him
self upon the lady by killing her accepted
suitor, and bringing grief upon her. But
/ that if he had any doubt on that point,
would leave him, as had no idea Of any
| doubt or hesitation in such case. This
information also conveyed to his friends,
| who both promised that their best efforts
should be made. clearly satisfied them
that the only mode to save his own life and
spare the feelings of his afianced, was to
try to kill his antagonist.
| On the morning appointed, after light
breakfast, before day, we mounted our
horses and rode to the spot, well adapted
/ for our purpose, and none but the two
| principals, two seconds and surgeons to
each present. After carefully examin-
/ ing the position-for the antagonistic sec
/ I - a4ra
we measured the ground of, perpendicular
to the rising sun, which appeared in all its
majesty, melting the rising mists, and gave
evidence Of one of those beautiful, bright
| days, so common and peculiar 20 that
magnificent climate. However, there was
no time for moralizing or for romance.
won the choice of position, which gave my
| antagonist the giving Of the word; neither
| to fire before the word fire, nor after the
word ''three, steadily counted by the sec
ond, which he did very fairly.
His principal fired between the words
one and two, while mine fired about the
word two. noticed my friend slightly
WINGED about the right foot, and although
he denied any injury, I found on examina-
ton that the leg was slightly ''skelped, "
but it amounted to nothing Of moment,
while his antagonist had not been touch
ed.
On my reporting to my antagonists sec
ond, and stating that presumed that his
principal was satisfied with the ordinary
adjustment of matters, he conferred with
! him, but promptly returned, and informed
me that his principal demanded another
| shot. I was much ineensed at this, and
protested sgainst it as giving evidence, moi
of reparstion, but of revenge. As there
was no alternative, lectured my principal
thoroughly upon his aim, and the impor-
tance Of saving his life. He listened very
respectfully iand calmly, but there was 8
lack of decision and energy about his re-
ply that did not fancy, as he thanked
me and promised to try and do better next
time.
The next shot was exchanged with about
the same formality, my friend firing, as
usual, about the word two, and his sntag-
onist much quicker. noticed the dust fly
from my friends coat, but on examination
found that the ball of his antagonist had
gone through the lapel without injuring
him-his antagonist, as before, untouched.
now felt confident that my principal
was throwing his fire away, and although
charged him With it, yet made no com,
ment on it, as / supposed that there was
an end to the matter. On reporting to the
other second, we were aroused by the de-
mand for the third shot; a demand that
denounced as unsual, unwarranted, vindie'
tive and inexcusable, as well as contrary
to all rules Of the code, and against such
evidence. But the only reply vas that the
foe had determined that one or the Other
should not leave the ground alive. Seeing
the implacabls revenge Of our antagonist,
| II y-or "a
nv friend, asked and obtained permis-
sion to withdraw him from the position
under the plea of dressing his wound
which was granted by the other second.
While the surgeon was examining the
strips, stated to my principal that was
confident that he had thrown his first two
fires away, and that | should leave him,
for such nonsensical conduct did not suit
me. His other friend entreated me to re-
main, which doubt if / should have done,
had it not been for the altered conduct OF
my principal. Rising from the log upon
which be had been seated while the sur
geon attended the dressing, and taxing my
hand with firm grasp, he said, Don
leave me. | acknowledge throwing away
INV fire. but now l see the correctness oi
your reasoning, and viii not do it again.
I said. 81 am willing to aid you in all my
mower: but il your judgment is superior t
mine, then you can have no use for ne"
The pleasant, gay appearance had lef
his face, and the firm expression Of his eye
and the fixed condition Of his features sat
isfied me Of his resolve aud success, II hl'
antagonist should not prevent 1t, by Ia
tai shot, first.
Upon my reporting to my antagonist
| sacond Of the readiness Of my principal,
they were again placed in their ora Posi- S.
ton, though the increased height ot INT
sun, | thought, made some dlHerence Y
INV Antagonist. Just before the weapons
were handed to the parties, our Zoe, turn
inc front face and raising his right arm
svclaimed In q loud and excited voice, -
ssi5 when | came here that one or the 9th
ar should not leave this ground alive, anC
now | swear it.
was very glad to see him excited, hop
ing it would disturb his aim, but l was
mistaken. On inspecting my friend l founC
him perfectly calm and unmOVed, but thi
Arm expression showed that he had gotteI
rid of his nonsensical generosity, for, wheI
a good shot without cause is trying TO pu
an ounce Of lead in your heart, not even 4
point moral, F" Is 1t time for useless char
ity to leave It.
! The third and last shot was given as be
fore, but the result was widely different
They both fred about the same time a
: they had before, and / saw distinctly tn
( dust again fy from the coat Of my friend
| - a fsrra-aH r.aoIad am