The Worthington advance., 1881-02-03


With him departed all the gayety of
the lieutenant. He became thought
full and taciturn; his mind wandered
from the game, and he soon lost more
than he had gained. He was unnerved
with terror, while rejecting ON the
consequences of his folly. What an
advantage must an adversary possess
over him, who could bear with so
much calmness 2 series of degrading
insults, and who could propose duel
with such imperturbable sang .froid!
Such an antagonist must be singular
ly endowed with courage and skill.
Such were the ideas that continually
passed through his mind.
When the company separated they
all agreed to meet at the same place at
posed that all slept equally we'll dur.
ing the night. When they assembled
next morning at the coffee house they
found the Englishman before them at
the rendezvous; but he was now
dressed in splendid suit of the naval
uniform of his nation. He was at
tended by valet, who carried case
under his arm.
He requested the officers to accept
of's0me refreshments, and they entered
into conversation, when the English.
man gave indications of possessing a
cultivated mind and good breeding.
About eight o'clock he rose from
his chair and begged the Prussian of.
ticer to select the spot where the quar-.
rel was to be decided, adding that he
was a stranger in the place, and that
all places were alike to him. The bar
on named the open pastures lying be.
tween Hamburg and Altoona.
When they arrived Oh the ground
the Englishman asked the Prussian
what distance he would prefer; he
answered Fifteen PAGES. ':The dis
tance is too great. You will miss me.
Call for me ut ten, please" said the
Englishman, and his proposition was
accepted.
The major now made the observa-
tion that the captain had no second.
THAT is of little consequence" said
the Englishman, ''if 1 fall my valet
has my orders" The major represent.
ed that such a proceeding was contra
ry to the usage in affairs of this kind,
and if such formality was neglected
the duel could not take place, but he
politely offered to assist in that capaci.
ty.
When the ground was marked out
and each of the principals had taken
their places, the captain asked his an
tagonist significantly if he had good
pistols; ''for,' said he, II have pair
which often use, and which never
miss their aim. I will give you a proof
Of their excellence.
He then called his servant and ord
cred him to throw something in the
air. The man took a handkerchief
from his pocket.
"This is too large" said the captain;
''ind something else" He took from
his pocket a dried prune. THAT will
do exclaimed his master. The fruit
was thrown into the air, the pistol
was fired. and the prune was battered
into pieces. At this extraordinary
proof of address, the spectators were
struck with astonishment. As to the
poor lieutenant, he was more dead
than alive.
The captain then resumed his sta
tiOn, and requested his antagonist to
fire; but the major interpOsed, stating
that it was contrary to the custom of
their country; that the offended party
had ;en undoubted right to make the
first essay. and after his fire was re.
turned, the rest should be decided by
chance
MY FRIEND replied the captain,
If l should suffer myself to be in.
huenced by your opinion, this young
gentleman would never have an oppor.
tunity to test the quality of his pistols.
L must have my own way in this par
tic1llar, and after have settled the af.
fair with this gentleman, each Of his
companions who amused themselves
last evening at my expense. and who,
instead of restraining the impertinence
Of their friend, laughed ut his ridicu-
lous follies, mnst one after another,
front the muzzle of my pistol. Now,
sir, am ready, Take good aim, for if
You miss me, you are dead man.
The lieutenant presented his weap.
on, drew the trigger, and the ball
passed through the Englishman's hat.
Now, sir, it IS my turn,' said the
captain. Il was last evening a butt
for your raileries and your sarcasms.
Without provocation you insulted me
and covered with humiliation. was a
schoolmaster, Il tailor, a village babler.
What am now! \ man. And what
are you! A miserable wretch; a polt-
room trembling with fear. That death
which in a few minutes you will re-
ceive from my hand already surrounds
you with shadows. The grim tyrant' s
icy hand is already extended over you.
Your lips are livid, your eyes are giaz.
ed, and your visage is as pale as the
winding.sheet which in few hours
will envelop your body. Your feeble
limbs can hardly support you; insolence
and cowardice go hand i'll hand to.
gether. But before my bullet pierces
your heart, tell me have you any ar
angements to make? Have YOU a last
adieu to send Il father. Il mother. sis.
ter, or any other person who is dear to
you! 1have here the materials neces.
sary for writing; and willingly grant
you time to make any arrangements
which you may think necessary.
The young man muttered SOM mething,
Of which a humble II thank you'' was
all that was intelligible,'
I'm that case, said the Englishman.
''since reconciliation between us is ab-
so]utely impossible, and it is necessary
that your blood should wash out the
affronts which I have received, 1 beg
you to implore, by a fervent but brief
prayer. the mercy of the Eternal
Power,''
Then, taking off his hat, he looked
round upon the mute. terrified specta-
tors of this closing scene, who, by !,
spontaneous impulse, uncovered them.
selves in like manner. Fora minute
or two there reigned among the group
religious and solemn silence, which
was only interrupted by the hard
breathings Of the suffering lieutenant.
At length, seizing his pistol and
pointing towards the lieutenant, he
kept him for minute in state of the
most horrible suspense; then, suddenly
raising the weapon, he turned towards
the valet, who stood near him, and
handed him the pistol. stake it,"
said he; "thiS officer is not wOrthv tho