The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-04-27

A DloW on the lace was the only re-
ply.
What remained to be done2 For q |
moment thought of reconciling the
adyersaries, but how to accomplish it?
To force my brother to apologize was
impossible, for his officers uniform had
brought with it the most exaulted ideas
|of personal dignity. He felt that be
was wrong, hut to commence his mill
ltary career with what might be called an
act Of cowardice, to recede from bis
lposition--no power under heaven. could
have made him consent to it. As to
me, had not the courage to face such
an ides; and my only chance was to at
tack Vessky, whose prudent timidity,
instructive moderation, and general
good sense gave me some hope. In my
selishness thought that, in order to-
save my brother, this man would, as !
would, reco; from nothing, not even
public contempt. Sitting my pride, !
proceeded to Vetsky's house.
When / entered his room, / found
him seated at writing table. TRANQUILITY
smoking cigar. His calmness disturbed
me.
~ wish,' said 1, "to have an inter.
view with you rather than your second.
You are man, and certainly must look
upon my brother's conduct as nothing
but the rudeness of boy, entirely un-
worthy of your attention"
Vetsky looked surprised and smiled.
"Sir," he said, "you do not think what
you say. Be frank with me. What is
the matter?"
These few words gave me new idea.
/ would endeavor to touch his feelings
] pictured our situation, my mothers
feeble state of health, her farewell to US,
and the promise she had exacted of me.
did not spare poor Vetcbeslaff. call
ed him q fool and scamp. / believe
that even muttered the word 'pardon." /"
"a moment" said Vetsky, with the
cold smile that had meyer for an instant
Quilted his face. sis it on your BROTH
er's behalf or on your own, that you
apologize ?"
knew not what to answer. He fixed
a penetrating look upon nae, and contin-
ued:
II understand your position perfectly.
/ understand that your brother will
never apologize-he can not. / pity
you as much as him. / am not a fire.
cater, and duels are not in my line. /
have always laid down as rule for my
self to avoid every thing that might
conduct 10 one; but" be added earn
esily, mot to recede sep when rem
counter became inevitable. Put your
self in my place. How many times have
not been forced to turn off 10 q Joke
words that, if addressed to another,
would have provoked twenty duels with
your brother? Itonk pity on his youth,
and, l acknowledge, pity on myself also.
Life is already sad and short enough,
without sacrificing it still further for
folly. But this affair is more serious.
What would the world-which already
finds me too prudent-says of me il
we're to let this affair pass as something
not meriting atlentionp You know
what prejudices exist. ! would not
know where to hide my head. Every
finger would be pointed at me! l would
have nothing left but to blow my brains
out; and that, you know, would not be
lprudent in man Of 80 much pru-
dence.'
These words were delivered coldly
and disdainfully, but felt that I could
not reply.
SIT it is to be So" I cried, angrily,
sit is with me, sir, that you will have
to settle"
s.If it is agreeble to ,ou,'' said Vets
ky, shaking the ash of bis cigar; bot
not before your brother and myself have
finished Besides, I am certain that
lyour brother would not listen to any
other arrangement. / have now to apollo
gize to you-but have some letters to
write"
| He bowed coldly, and left the house
with a desparing heart.
| One hope remained to me. Vetsky
was bad shot. I would naturally be
lmy brothers second-it was q natural
duty that l owed him. Wishing, there
fore, to give my brother all the advan.
.ages possible, proposed that they
should be placed at twenty PAGES, each
advancing ten PAGES after the word was
Igiven, and firing at discretion. ! count.
ed on Vetchelslaff's quickuess and cor
rectuess of eye. Vetchy's second &C.
cepted these terms.
/ We had scarcely finished this bloody
compact when Vetcheslaff entered.-
Books bounded before him barking with
Joy. My brother tried to put brave
face on the matter, and played with the
dog; but one could see that he could
scarcely restrain the interior emotions
that agitated him. Poor young fellow
Life was, perhaps, never 80 attractive to
him as at that moment. Who would
blame him il he grieved at the chance
of quitting itp When l saw his fair
young face, my heart bled. In the few
hours that preceded the duel / grew
twenty years older.
/ A few minutes after this we were on
the ground. The thought that it was
who led my brother to take his stand be-
fore pistol, deprived me of the faculty
of either thinking or acting. In vain |
forced myself to exhibit the sang froid
necessary under such circumstances but
I was no longer myself. vetsky's sec
ond had to fulfil my duties. The fatal
moment arrived. ] gathered all my
strength AND examined my brothers pis-
tolls: they were in excellent order. Vet
sky was cold as ice. An almost imper-
ceptible smile wandered over his com
|pressed lips. One would have thought
that he was merely warming his back at
his drawing-room Fireplace. looked
at Vetcheslsff, and saw with terror that
bis hand trembled.
The signal was given. The antago-
nists approached each other slowly. The
sight Of the danger had driven from
Vetcheslaff's memory all the instructions
that ! had given MIN. He fred precipi.
lately, and vetsky staggered hut did moi
fall The bullet had broken his lef,
shoulder. Controlling his agony he
made sign to his antagonist to advanct
to the fixed limits. My brother obeyed
with convulsive and involuntary move
ment.