The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-07-11

broken by Colonel A., who said:
"Dont be afraid that shall refuse
your request; on the contrary, shall
only be too pleased to grant my permits
sion if, on examining the facts OF the
case, 1 find sufficient reason to think
that the applicants amour propre has
been wounded, and that hostile meet
| ing is Indispensable.
At these reassuring words the young
| fire-eaters were satisfied, and at once
gave the promise demanded; and COL
A then retired to his chamber,
where, overcome with the fatigue of a
| rough voyage, he soon found himself
snugly ensconced in the arms. of Nor
| pheus.-.84 q va w A4lss EAAa-'
On the following morning he was
rather rudely awakened from a refresh
ing slumber by loud rapping at his
chamber-door; and, on challenging his
early visitors, he was informed that it
was Captain Lord Vellum and Ensign
Warb ottle who wished to speak to him
on matter of the gravest Importance.
"Ycu might have chosen more con-
venient hour for your visit, gentlemen, -
| said the colonel, who was naturally loath
to rise from his bed at five clock on the
first morning after his voyage. ..,
cit is an affair of honor colonel, "
was the significant reply, ''and cannot
be delayed. We beg you will admit us
instantly.
The colonel rose and opened the door
to. the early comers They were two
handsome young men, who had on the
previous evening already attracted Col
onel As attention by the extreme
| friendliness which they exhibited for
each other. They respectfully saluted
their commanding officer as they entered
| the room, and the latter broke an awk-
ward silence by demanding of them the
object of their visit.
Ensign Warbotlle again raised his
hand in salute as he replied:
"We have come to ask your permis-
sion to fight, colonel"
"Indeed l'' exclaimed Colonel A.
"I thought you were great friends.
Eyes, colonel, we have been most in
innate friends from our youth upward, p"
| said Lord Vellum, "and we respect
each other very sincerely; but we have
Hsd dispute, and our wounded honor
m ust be satisfied"
EThen presume that something very
serious must have occurred, gentlemen,
to make the only remedy for it a recourse
to the pistol p"
1t is indeed very serious matter,
colonel" replied Ensign Warbottle |;
"and it is this: After you had left the
table last night we chatted over what
you told us about the doings in London
lately; and in the enthusiasm of the mo-
ment, remarked that I should like to
I-be there, riding at the head of a troop of
Life Guards, and escorting the Prince
Regent, with my silver helmet glittering
in the sun, and my drawn sword in my
hand. Whereupon Lord Vellum said,
with sneer, that was a feather bed
soldier, and. that leathern bonnet
would be quite good enough for such as
|. 1 took no notice of this remark, but
| was annoyed and excited; and when he
further asserted that the officers of the
Life Guards wore brass helmets, human
nature could stand it no longer, and
gave him the lie. He retaliated by
striking me on the face; an insult, Col.
onel A, which justifies me, think,
in demanding hostile meeting"
The last words were said in a manner
which admitted Of only one meaning,
and the two young officers exchanged
glances of mutual hatred and defiance.
" 1t is indeed grave, gentlemen" "
sententiously remarked the colonel; "the
hemlets worn by officers of His Majesty's
Life Guards are neither silver nor brass,
but white metal lacquered with silver
gilt; but this information will not, 1
presume, alter the position of affairs.
Do you still wish to fight the question
outf"
Certainly, sir |" exclaimed the two
officers.
every well," replied the colonel,
gravely; far be it form me to interpose
any obstacle to your meeting, gentle
men; but this duel must be a serious
one, as BELTS SO important question as
the Life Guards helmets, and not an
affair resulting in a mere scratch, as
am given to understand is generally the
case in these mess quarrels. Remember
that you are British officers and not
Spanish bravoes, and that the honor of
British officer can only be yindicated
by the death of his opponent. Go,
gentlemen, and fight your duel; and I
will meet the survivor on his return"
The two young men saluted the colonel
and retired. A few seconds afterwards
they and their seconds were seen hurry
ing off to the place of meeting-a spot
which is known in the garrison to this
day as "Duel Avenue"
Three hours later, Colonel A went
down into the parade ground to inspect
the regiment, and he was surprised to
see both Lord Tellum and Ensign War
bottle amongst the officers who ap-
preached him to give the morning salute.
The latter had his arm in sling; and to
the stern inquiry of Colonel A as to
whether the duel had yet taken place,
he replied, with forced smile lighting
up his face: " Yes, colonel; his lordship
has given me n nasty scratch in the
arm."
GA scratch in the arm |" exclaimed
the colonel, contemptuously. "And do
you call that fighting, gentlemen-do
you call that tightingl And for SO i'm
portant question as the helmets of His
Majesty's Life Guards | Bah it is
nothing This matter must be fought
over again, under pain of instant dismis.
sal from the service if my order be dis
obeyedl |"
"But--" began Lord Vellum, at
tempting to express his satisfaction at
the reparation his wounded honor had
received.
''But me no butts, gentlemen" ex.
claimed the colonel, angrily. 'I have
the Princes instruction on this point,
and it is for you to vindicate your own