Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-01-10

days. Inc lnaines was ailVe
with pleasure-boats, and its banks
were thronged with people.
"Let US visit Vauxhall." pro-
posed one of a bevy of beauties
escorted by a gentle lookingy youth,
as they stood contemplating the
enliveaing spectacle.
None dissenting, a boat was
hailed and the party entered.
1t was the loveliest of spring
evenings On every hand white
sails glistened. while an inspirit
ing breeze rippled the water,
whose joyous murmnrs, mingled
With the hum OF voices and bro
ken by plash Of oars and an oc
casional hila iOus shout, gave to-
ken that Father Thames was at
bis happiest and gayest.
Catching the animation of the
scene, the young man drew nute
from bis pocket and played several
airs. He was an excellent per-
former, and soon Ind a crowd of
listeners. O her boats drew near
whose pass :ngers bent forward in
eager admiration. But the young
musician. it seems, had no desire
to exhibit publicly, for at once he
ceased to play and returned the
instrument to his pocket.
Among the craft that had gath
cred around was q barge contain
ing a company Of gaily dressed
officers. One of these, having no
mind to be amused, in tone savor
ing mfsre of command than of re-
quest, directed the player to con
tinue.
The insolent demand passed
unheeded. Threats followed, but
produced no greater effect. Fu-
rious at the failure of staggering
words to intimidate the meek
faced youth, The officer ordered
the rowers to force the barge
longside the boat, declaring his
purpose to fling the Autist over.
board.
The ladies were greatly fright
ened. Seeing thestalwart bullypre
pare to execute his threat they
implored their young companion
to yield, at least for their sake.
Rosy lips are always eloquent.
The young man smiled, and re.
suming his flute, played a mum
Der of tunes even gayer than be-
fore.
The victorious officer beat time
affectedly, applsuded moCkingly
each performance, and by his ex.
ultant manner seemed to say:
"See- how redoubtable I am"
At length they reached Vaux
hall, where the two parties sep
arated.
Though calm in appearance,
the young man burned to resent
ihe affront he had received. Not
for a moment did be lose sight of
his insulter. Separating from the
ladies under some pretext, he
watched his opportunity to ap-
proach the officer in an isolated
spot.
Your tone, sir" he said, ZAP
pears a little overbearing,"
"Atleast m IKE myself obeyed,
was the naughty answer.
"That depends on how one re-
CARDS il; for my part, | think 9th
erwise."
sat any rate, IN your Gaze
"Obl you can hardly suppose"
interrupted the young man, "that
| yielded in obedience to your or
ders."
"To what end is all this?"
"To explain that | played the
flute, not at you, command, but in
compliance with the wishes of the
ladies, who you were villain e.
uough to seek to frighten. !"
cam l to understand this as a
challenge?"
"Why mott
The officer smiled disdainfully.
"Well, sir" lie rcjoined, "you
are enti led to satisfaction; "when
and where will you have il?"
"To morrow, at daybreak, in
Hyde Park, without seconds, the
quarrel being private" :"
"Ehe weapons!
"Swords.
The conditions settled, the par
ties separated,
Both were punotual to The en-.
gagement. The officer took his
place, and preparing to put himself
on guard when the young musi-
clan, from whose face all expires
sion of meekness had disappeared,
drew a long piatol from beneath
his coat, and pointed it at his ad'
versary.
"What, would you murder me?'
exclaimed the officer in alarm.
THAT depends upon yourself,