The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-11-08
Select Story.
THE POINT OF HONOR.
A STORY OF THE PAST.

taken distinguished part in that great vic
tory stationed in Mediterranean garrison
gained an unenviable notoriety there by
sudden mania for duelling that broke out
among its officers, and which threatened TO |
become so chronic in ITS character as seri. |
oGsly TO interfere With the discipline Of the |
corps. Quarrels were literally made to or
der at mess time for the most trfliug affairs, |
and scarcely day passed without hostile
meeting taking place, which the Colonel
n weak minded man-eXpres-od himself
| po~erless TO prevent. Indeed he had al
ready been sent to Coventry by his sub
or iiuat5s, which, as our readers doubtless
kuow, is Kind of social ex communication
that when acted upon in an English reri.
mart, generally ends in the retirement from
the corps Of the individual on whom il falls
Il was 50 in this instance, for the Colonel
saw that the vendetta-ike conduct Of his
officers towards him was gradually dvcstinE
him of all authority in the eyes of his men
and as he had none hut his social interiors
to hom he could turn for counsel and adj
virp, he was compelled to rciinquish his
command and return to England. On arri
val IN this country he lost no time in pro
Cecding to the Horse Guards where he
sought aud gained an interview with 'le
Duke Of Wellington, to whom he gave Il
graphic account of the state of affairs which
existed IN the regiment he had just left.
The Iron Duke listened attentiyely to the
narration, and knitted his brow in anger as
the Colonel related the story of the duelling;
and when the latter had finished speaking
he exclaimed in an unmis:akahly stern and
uncnmpromisng toue ; at is your fault,
sir You should have brought some of the
ringieader- to court. martial and cashered
them on the spot You have sadly neglected
your duty, and that is thing which | never
PARDON
The Colonel left the lorse Guards in a
very crestiallen state, and he was hardly
surprised when he saw in the next Gazette
the announcement that "His Majesty had
no further need of his services"
in the meantime the Duke had obtained
an audience of the Prince Regent, to whom
he explained the condition of affairs in con-
nection with the regiment in question. The
result was that Colonel A, a well known
martinez, then on half pay was sent for and
the circumstances explained to him; the
Prince offering him the command of the reg
iment on condition that he would under
take to cure the duelling propensities of its
officers. Colonel A--wss delighted at the
prospect of active service, and he willingly
, accepted the task assigned to him. it being
understood that he was to be granted II roy
J al indemnity for anything serious which
might happen to anybody in his endeavors
to put a stop to the duelling. He was a
man of high reputation, and had previously
held other difficult commands being know n
throughout the army as good soldier but a
stern disciplinarian.
, Such was the old soldiers feelings at the
special honor conferred on him that on leav-
/, ing St. James Palace he actually forgot to
return the salute of the sentinels posted at
? the gates to the great astonishment of the
: latter, who knew mis- punctilious habits.
, On his arrival at the garrison he lost nc
E time ii, making himself acquainted with hi,
bfOlneT Officers. nc uau alreduY Ih'u GU
= his plan of action in his own mind, and wa,
t. fully determined 20 allow nothing to swerv,
, him Il hairs breadth from the path of duty
At the mess table he behaved with studiet
polileness and amiabliity of manner, and hi
e suhurlinates indicated that they were greatly
pleased with their new commander. II,
b., chntted pleasantly with all, ir IN the senio
a. mrior down to the youngest ensign, am
e. WHEN the cloth was removed regaled theu
with tie latest gossip and doingS Of Lonjor
g society. Before they separated tor the night
e however, he took the opportunity of iniorln
{. ing them, in a very quiet manner, that he ha,
g heard 0t the frequent duels which had lakrr
C. place in the CORPS and tha, it s,,mel a mat
c ter cl regret t. lim that they aid not liv,
cc in peace aud amjty. "Howeyer,' h. said
c 81! il be your wish, gentlemen, to fight ou
C your quagrrl- in thi, way, shall intyrpos
g no obstacle to your doing SO But this cai
. only be by your pledging your word OF hon
be or now to the effect that in the future nt
,c duel shall take place without my permission
70 having been first obtained. As | am you
e Colonel, it is necessary that my auLaorit.
e should be acknowledged in all that relate
c to the honor of the regiment"
e The officers looked at each other and thel
c at the Colonel, and a somewhat embarras-
e ing silence ensued but it was broken b
&C Colonel A, who said "Don't be afrai
&c that shall refuse your request; on the con
C trary, shall only be too pleased TO gran
Ia my permission if, on examining the facts Il
c the case, | find sufficient reason to thin
C that the applicants amour prope has bee
q wounded and that a hostile meeting Is in
dispensable."
y Al these reassuring words the young fire
C. eaters were satisfied, and at once gave tn,
Ne then retired to his chamber where, over
e come with the fatigue of a rough voyage, h
% soon found himself snugly ensconced in tn
g arms of Morpheus. a.
&c On the following morning he was rathe
Nc rudely awakened from a refreshing slumbe
&c by a loud rapping at the chamber door
and on challenging his early visitors, he wa
Ic informed that it was Captain Lord Vellun
&c and Ensign Warbottle who wished to spea
NJ to him on Il matter of the gravest impor
tance.
,1c you might have chosen a more conveu
lc lent hour for your visit, gentlemen" sal
the Colonel, who was naturally loath to ris
" from his bed at O'Clock on the first morn
ing after his voyage.
at is an affair of honor Colonel" wa
the significant reply "and cannot be DELAY
= ed. We beg you will you admit US instan
III ty."
he -, -
is The Colonel rose and opened the door I
11S the early comers. They.were two handsom
young men, who had on the previous even
ld ing already attracted Colonel As atten