The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-10-26
A SHOT THAT TOLD.

iHlS man mad gained an unenyIablt
!. / nortorlety IN his own and the neigh
boring counties as successful duelist
Not only was he known to make tn,
, most trivial dispute a pretext for
challenge, but it was even reported
that, on more than one occasion. h,
purposely provoked q quarrel The
j meeting, IN nearly every instance
ended disastrously for his opponent.
He had the reputation Of being ar
unerring shot. Coolly aud collected
ly he stepped to his place. took steady
ann, and almost invariably brought
down his man" 1t will, therefore, be
readily conceived that he was dread
ed and Stunned by his neighbors. He
was bachelor, and lived alone in a
large country mansion.
At that time there happened to be a
line regiment stationed in the neigh
boring town of Galway. Captain Fen
ton was on terms of intimacy with
some Of the officers, and, though far
from being a general fayorite, it not
unfrequently occurred that he dined
at the mess on quest nights. But
whenever he was present an air of re
straint prevaded the assembly. The
dinner was sure to be spiritless affair.
and always lacked the tone Of good
fellowship which usually characterizes
such entertainments.
This may in measure be accounted
for by the fact that the captain was of
a morose, naughty disposition. His
conversation generally displayed a
bitter sarcasm. Moreover, all present
We're aware of his fame as duelist.
This knowledge rendered them more
cautious IN speech, lest a chance word
or expression should afford him suffi-
| cient grounds for picking a quarrel.
About six months after its arrival in
Galway the regiment was joined by a
junior subaltern. He was a mere lad,
being still in his teens; yet, by all ac-
counts, he was a fine soldierly young
fellow. He gave every promise Of
making a splendid officer, and few
weeks sufficed to establish him as a
favorite
But alas. only a short time elapsed
before he had the misfortune to fall
foul of Captain Fenton Though [
have heard the story from those who
dwelt in the neighborhood, and who
were fully acquainted with every de
tail, yet | have never been able to as
certain the exact cause Of the disagree
ment. However, certain it is that
challenge was given and accepted.
The affair was kept as secret as pos
slble, and at the appointed time the
meeting took place IN the corner Of
meadow about half a mile from the |
barracks
Itwas bright spring morning, The
peaceful aspect OF nature formed a
which had brought these fine men SO
early to this lonely spot. Not much |
time was lost in preparations. The
combatants were placed, the pistols |
loaded, and the seconds retired. The /
young officer stood with his full front !
of his body presented to his opponent !
He was novice in such affairs, poor |
boyI 1t is even said that at the pre- |
else moment of firing he lnvOluntarily |
closed his eyes. IL such was the case,
he never opened them again IN this
world! His adversary's ball passed |
through his heart
The surgeon ran forward and raised |
the fallen youth A hasty examina
ton showed him that he held a corpse
in his arms. While he was thus en-
gagged, Captain Fenton was occupied
in very different manner. He was
carelessly cutting notch on the stock
of his pistol. There were seven other
marks of a similar description, and
each one represented a victim to
whom that weapon had dealt death.
A stretcher was fetched from the !
barracks and the corpse was conveyed
thither without delay. The affair
would doubtless have created pro
found sensation, but for obvious rea
sons. those engaged IN it were careful
to let as few particulars as possible
leak out. The friends of the deceased
were communicated with. There seem
ed little likelihood of any unpleasant
consequences ensuing. Captain Fen
ton dined alone that evening, and after
dinner sat for over an hour slipping
| his claret with evident enjoyment
| One more or less to the list of his vic
TINS was a matter of little account to
him; it was certainly not of sufficient
Importance to disturb his equanimity.
But on the third day a startling
change took place in the aspect of
affairs. A young man, travel stained,
pale and haggard arrived in the town.
| He proceeded at once to the barracks
| and announced himself as a brother
OF the deceased. He was conducted
to the room in which the body was
was laid. They say the scene which
followed was Of the most extraordi-
nary description. The stranger flung
himself on the corpse, and, as he lay
there, his whole frame was shaken by
convulsive sObs.
1t quickly transpired that the broth
ers had been left orphans when mere
lads. They We're the only children of
the family, and through boyhood had
clung to each other feeling that they
were alone in the world. Their love
was like that which bound David and
Jonathan together 1t can, therefore.
be scarcely conceived with what feel
ings of dismay the elder heard of the
death of the younger.
When the first paroxysm of grief
was over. the young man raised him
self from the corpse. Then, in voice
half choked by emotion, he uttered a
solemn VOW to take speedy revenge on
his brothers slayer With this object
in view he retired from the apartment
and instantly dispatched a challenge
to Captain Fenton The officers en-
deavored to dissuade him from such
a arash step, pointing out that instead
of avenging the slain he was himself
sure to fall victim to his opponents
skill. But remonstrance was in vain
To one and all he replied simply. MY
brother is dead. / do not care to live
Under these circumstances II seemed