The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-30
the hospitality of a Southern lady, to-


. ward friend or enemy, poured out cup
of coffee and sent it to him. He accept
ed it with a bow, and some moments
were passed in polite conversation. Then
the reason of his presence began to APP
pear. Turning toward my mother he
remarked:
"'You have stated your belief that 1
am coward very publicly, madam. Did
you really desire that your boy should
fight me? You are widow, and he your
only son.
"'Sir,' said my mother, Il repeat to
your face, that l never before heard of
an officer and a gentleman refusing a
who does so coward
"'You lost your husband in duel, I
believe, madam, said the general; yet
you are wiling to risk also the life of
your son.
You are very cruel to remind me of
my sorrow, said my mother, putting her
handkerchief to her eyes; but l assure
you had much rather be the widow of
brave man than the wife of q coward
Had husband of mine refused a chal-
lenge 1 would have left him at once
''The general bowed.
Madam, he said, since it is your
wish that should do so, will prove to
you that am able to shoot your son
through the heart
"'You will accept my challenger I
cried.
"'Let us talk little first said the
general Is that your sons likeness,
MADAME?
"He pointed to the end of the long
room where my portrait, just finished
and sent home, hung upon the wall.
'"It is, answered my mother.
Should he die you would value it
highly" said the general.
eyes, as the portrait, not only of a
dear son, but of a brave man, replied
my mother. -,
"'Will you oblige me, madam? said
the general, taking from his pocket a
piece of chalk, and offering it to my
parent, with low bow. Will you oblige
me by troubling yourself to mark upon
upon the coat, SO we'll painted on that
picture, the precise spot under which
you believe the heart to be-the exact
spot where I have promised to shoot
your son.
"'Sir, said my mother, it is possible
that my son may kill you. You cannot
brighten me, if that is your purpose.
Much as 1 love my son I loye honor
more
''And with these heroic words, which
gave me the utmost pride and pleasure,
she crossed the room, and standing be-
fore the picture, made small, white
mark upon the coat.
"'My knowledge of anatomy is by no
h. s1,,,k ha1 t1a
heart is there
''She returned to her seat; the general
arose. Putting his hand into his bosom,
he drew forth a small and very elegant
pistol.
Madame said he may beg you to
retire?'
"'Would you commit MURDER cried
my mother.
"'Go, mother said. If he wishes
to meet me alone, and without witnesses,
it is the same to me-
my mother, trembling, moved to-
ward the window opening on the veran-
da. As she stepped outside, the general
lifted his pistol and fred.
mot at meat my portrait.
"a moment more and the cloud of
smoke had passed away, and we saw that
in place of the white spot my mother had
made upon the coat, was round hole.
Madam, hope the noise has not
incommoded you, said the general, but
you will observe that / have in one sense
shot your son through the heart. Had
fought him as the insulted person-for
he struck me in the FACET should have
the first shot. I should have aimed for
the heart. always have. Three times
I have accepted challenge. Three
times have extinguished life. On
the last occasion swore-that though
every friend have turned from me
would accept no other. am as certain
of my aim as mortal man can he, and
my own life is of too much value to me
to offer it by firing in the air. will
never fight your boy, but / believe
have proven that it is not from cow
ardice.'
my mother, convinced, ashamed, and
agitated, made him courtesy and burst
into tears. He crossed the room, lifted
her hand to his lips and kissed it gallant
~.
honor brave woman as much as
you do brave man, madam, he said.
May God spare your son to you and you
to him long after have received the
challenge which it is impossible for NOR
tai to refuse
with these words he left the room
and the house, but the picture there re-
NAMED to remind MS Of his visit. have
never had it repaired, never will, and I