The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-04-16

truth, Tor lam free to confess that my
brain was on bit OF whirl last
night. First: did I, in my toast tic
Major Farwell's wife, give him the
least occasion for ill-feeling?"
81 could see none, captain: but you
must remember that he had been drink
ing"
"Exactly-and in that we were even
And now-did he not, in the presence
of the whole company, threaten to
kick me from his quarters?"
eyes"
"And did he not lay his hand upon
me before Istruck him?"
81 cannot be positive; but I think
he did" .r... E.
"Then," said I, drinking the last OF
my coffee, ri shall make no apology"
"You will remember" suggested
Bowker, "that the major is q dead
shot, and tn at in the handling OF the
sword he has no superior" :
cared nothing at all about that. I
knew the temper of our officers, and |
knew that l should be held IN light
esteem if I allowed Major Farwell to
back me down. Once more BOWker
asked me if l would apologize.
told l>Sm most emphatically, "No."
'"Then," he added, II have instruc-
tons to deliver this note"
He handed me an unsealed missive,
which found to be q challenge; and
by it l was informed that Adjutant
Bowker was empowered to make all
necessary arrangements. My warmest
friend in the regiment was the first lieu
tenant, named Walker, and l sent for
him at once, desiring him to act as my
second. At first he tried to dissuade
me from fighting; but when he found
| would not retract, he consented to
serve me, though could plainly see
that he liked not the business He asked
me if [ had any instructions to give
him.
"Only two items," replied. "First
| will fight with pistols-and second;
AS my nerves are unstrung, would
like that the affair be put off till to-
morrow morning."
Walker went out with the adjutant;
and when he returned he informed me
that the arrangements were all made.
We were to meet at seven o'clock on
the following neutrality-suspicious. pis-
tols-dlstance, twelve paces-our Sec
onds to toss for choice OF position
to fire at the word of command.
After dinner [ sat down alone to ar
range my affairs. l wrote several let
ters, which [ sealed, and enclosed in a
single envelope, to be sent off by nv
clerk in case should fall. My prop
erty [ gave into Walkers charge, with
instructions how to dispose OF it!
When matters had been thus arranged
it was well towards evening; and tax
ing light cane in my hand, I walked
out for a breath of fresh air.
Not farfrom the camp were Morgan's
Fails, a wild, romantic spot, where
the water OF the river tumbled over q
huge bed OF broken rocks; and towards
this spot [ bent my steps. Just above
the falls was q bridge of logs, from
which could be obtained one of the
grandest scenes that ever blessed the
eye OF an artist. AS I reached the
summit OF an eminence near the falls
l saw a woman and child standing
upon the bridge; butt lost sight OF
them as descended into the shrubbery.
was just emerging from the thicket,
when a sharp, piercing cry OF agony
broke upon my ears. / sprang to, the
bridge, and there I saw the woman
alone! She was wringing her hands,
and shrieking like crazy creature. /
was not many seconds in comprehend
Ing the TRUTH Below the bridge, float
ing away on the troubled water, I
saw the child, it's spreading garments
buoylng it up; and I could hear the
tiny voice Calling Mamma! Mann
MAJ"
There was not a moment to lose.
The child was going nearer and nearer
to the falls-nearer and nearer to it's
death! 1t was a fearful risk for me:
fOr the chances were that J. should be
taken over into the kissing boiling
surge below the rocks. But what was
the risk to me then? If I died in the
river, | should not stand in the way Of
Major Farwell's bullet. Ihad BETTER
a thousand times, give up my life thus,
than throw it AVA in the duel The
woman saw me, and appealed to me
1or help; but my coat was off before
she discovered me, and in moment
more l. was in the water, striking out
with all my power.
The child was half way from the
bridge to the falls when started: but
l swan rapidly, and caught it lust as
1T had reached the point where tt e
waters began to gather for the plunge.
1t was a girl, not more than three or
four years old, with bright golden ring
let's; large blue eyes, and a face like a
cherub. She clasped her arms about
my neck, and called me ''Papa."
~, papa, papa-good\ papa-don't
let kltty 60 into that wicked place
With all my might Iheld up the child.
and struck for the shore; but it was
not to be. [ mad been drawn into the
swift current, and no mortal conId
have withstood it. The prospect Of
the morrow took from me all fears of
the present, and l was more calm and
collected that might otherwise have
been. AS soon as l realized that I
must 60 over the falls I turned eyerv
thought to saving the child; for. even
IN those few short moments, the LITTLE
darling had won strangely and deeply
upon my love. .-f,'
Nearer and nearer.-swifter ar q
|