The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-30
SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

My host, the Virginian, had in his
favorite room, in the best position posi-
BILE, portrait of himself in his early
youth. It was handsome, elegantly at
tired, and painted by one of the first
artists of the country; but although as
perfect as when fresh from the artists
hand in all other respects, there was
directly over the heart of the figure a
small, round hole. Looking at it one
day, a, said; ,.n,. .,.. .or,. -, > ,,;.a %
kill you at some time, when 1 look at
that hole. The effect is as though you
had been shot through the heart"
''It is not q fancy. That is the mark
of pistol ball, said my host. 81 will
tell you the story, if you care to hear it:
when was one-and-twenty, was a
great fire-eater, and full of fine notions
as to maintaining my dignity. was, in
fact, as anxious to fight duel as young
Irishman is for his first bout at fisticuffs.
Ny mother had educated me to believe
that the duello was the only way of
avenging wounded honor, and my father
had fallen in duel, and was her saint
and hero. No one shall ever say that
Jerome's son grew up to be a coward be-
cause his widowed mother raised him.
she used to say; and felt proud of my
courage and desired to prove it.
watched for an opportunity to challenge
some one, but none offered itself. could
not insult any one, for did not wish to
be challenged; and we in the South we're
universally courteous to each other,
when no offence was given. I was in de-
spair for my coveted laurels, when at
last, Unexpectedly, an occasion to prove
my bravery was afforded me.
cat large and elegant ball given ct
Richmond, l had obtained the promise
of certain dance from a young lady,
and presented myself at the proper time
to claim her hand. To my surprise I
found her already the partner of Gen
eral W who was more than go years
old. watched the quadrille until it
was over, and as the General brought
Miss A--back to her seat. confronted
him.
Pardon me, General" said, but
may / ask if you were aware that this
dance had been promised to me?"
''Yes, my dear boy; l knew it per-
fectly well,' replied the general. But
am obliged to leave, and I always dance
once with the little girl here. told her
to tell the young fellow he could have
the next dance, for 1 had stolen this
one.' And the general laughed heartily.
You must not blame her, he added. She
could not help dancing with me. I car
ried her off by force
Sir, said 1, pulling my mustache
fiercely, had it been Miss As wish,
should, of course, have said nothing.
But since you confess that the fault is
your, / must tell you that you have in
suited me-
"Oh, no, I haven't. Don't be foolish,
boy said the old man. Go and dance
together like pleasant young people.
Don't spoil your evenings pleasure for
nothing
81 am not a boy, General said 1
grandly. And must have satisfaction
for this. You must meet me-"
you've had too much champagne,
Felix said the general, as he turned
away.
''He went straight to the cloak room.
followed on his heels.
Twill you give me satisfaction, gen.
eral?' / demanded, in loud and aggres-
sive tone, as stood before him.
1 will not fight duel with you, he
said. You would find no satisfaction in
that
''As he spoke he turned his shoulders
toward the boy who held his cloak, and
at the moment drew off my glove and
struck him with it on his cheek.
Instantly he knocked me down.
"'Sorry to do it, boy, he said in the
quietest manner, as 1 arose from the
floor, covered with dust, and with q
whole galaxy of stars before my eyes,
but you would have It, And he walked
away, leaving the colored boy, with q
suspiciously preternatural gravity of
countenance, to brush me down.
II sent him q challenge the next day.
My messenger. q college chum, reported
that he received it in silence, read it and
tossed it into the fire, with these words:
Tell young P that this is my
answer
Nothing more could be done. Twas
furious. General W was the hero of
three duels; he was reputed brave. This,
then, was not cowardice, but An addition
al insult to me. My mother was as angry
~ !. She went about among her friends
calling the general q coward and relating
the story with spicy additions, no doubt,
though she quite intended to be truthful.
with an existing law against the duel,
1t was not possible to force any man to
tight, but as vet no Son therner Of char