A DUEL IN GEORGIA. 
 
IN the bar-room of a rude tavern and post-house stretch of courtesy be called a gentleman, he deserves 
 
in the western part if Georgia, around  rougk deal more particular mention. 
 
table, oraasjeated with two or three old newspapers, Frederick Stuyyesant Sebtiyler belonged to one of 
 
were seated nine or ten persons^ overeeftrt, book- he oldest Dutch families in New York. Hw father 
 
keepi, and small planters. As <the Weather was was a wealthy merchant, who kept a stylist house in 
 
intensely hot, the party had cause to be thirsty; and Jroaaway, ahd tea. elegant country-seat on the 6ank 
 
thirsty enough they Were; if one might >judg<?< from of the |Iudgon. ,;! At the age of fifteen he entered 
 
their incessant potations of mint-julep, iherry-cobbler, Columbia, G 8ege, and became, in a short time,  
 
Bangaree, and divera other species pf those American great favoiHIMgith Professor Anthon, and a regular 
 
beverages, the names of which are as singular as attendant at BSssfordi So sedulously did he culti 
 
their flavor is delicious. The party had for some time vate his classics and his billiards, that, on taking hi* 
 
been engaged in a loud and boisterous political con degree at nineteen, he could almost play the pony 
 
versation, when they were suddenly interrupted by ven, and was considered one of the first scholars in 
 
/ What are yJ making all this jaw about ?" 
 
Ifew York. The two years which elapsed between 
 
On hearing this gentferttanfy query, the assemblage Stehuylers graduating and attaining his majority, were 
 
turned their .eyes upon tlw speaker of it with a stare rassed without much profit to himself or any one else. 
 
of astonishment and rage; which, however, was in He was nominally studying for the law; but, like 
 
stantly Converted into an expression of undisguised many young men of fortune, oply did so that he 
 
consternation, a Boon as they fully recognised the might have the credit of belonging to some profession. 
 
new comer. 
 
This sortOf Efe, however,did not Jast for ever. 
 
In the door-way stood a man at least six feet three At the; period of Which we jcre speaking, the 
 
inches in height nd stout in proportion! Hisfeatures Americafreotnmereial world Was beginning to recover 
 
were moat/essentially villanous, and his large grey irom the great explosion of 1837 ; or, indeed, we may 
 
eyes,gleamed with an expression that was absolutely say that it had nearly recovered. But during the 
 
fiendish. Every thing about him had a ferocious asr continuance of the great panic; Mr. Schuyler, had in 
 
peot, "from the dilapidated white musk-rat b.at that common with hundreds of his brother merchants, be 
 
was fiercely cocked on one side of his head, to the came a bankrupt. 
 
clumsy and muddy shoes that protected his huge feet ; He had but one cause of satisfaction no small one, 
 
white the butts of two horse-pistols, peeping out from it must be confessed?: an Honest man I <got one 
 
the breast of his Waistcoat, gave the finishing touch creditor lost a Cent by him. Having at length wound 
 
to the picture. As he stared savagelyonthecompany, up his aflairs, tts foundTiimaetf, as he would have 
 
they forgot every thing but the formidable monster expressed it; with a capital of half-nothing to begin, 
 
before them Meriwether Gamble, the bully of Sodom life again. He became a clerk in a house far inferior 
 
and Gomorrah. 
 
to that of which he had been the head ; his daughters 
 
This interesting personage lived some fifteen miles took in needle-work ; and his son determined to get 
 
off, close to the Alabama frontier. The real name of his living as a teacher. Unwilling to remain in his 
 
his place of residence (if it ever had been regularly native city, amid scenes of luxury in which he could 
 
christened by the Government surveyor) had long ago no Jonger participate, young Schuyler endeavored to 
 
been forgotten ; but it was universally kaown through obtain a tutorship in the south. Having heard of an 
 
out the district by the ap^Hation we have just given excellent one in Alabama, fie made instant application 
 
it., It was a perfect Alsatia, within the magic limits for it; and secured it over several competitors, by 
 
ofwhich no sheriff dared shew himself. Here Gam dint of Profeasofr Anthons testimonials. He then 
 
ble lorded it over a plantation of eighty or ninety made his will, took leave of his friends, bought a pair 
 
slaves ; and here he presided over a gang of miscreants, of pistols and a dirk, and made such other preparations 
 
Whose doings were the terror of the cduntry for fifty as a man usually does who is about to leave a&vitized 
 
miles round. Every one of them had in his day for a barbarous country. Thus far, however, he had 
 
murdered at least one white man, counting Indians penetrated in safety to within sixty miles of his desti 
 
and negroes for nothing; and their chief had been nation; and was now waiting at Major LawsonsAo- 
 
outlawed a dozen times, for as many atrocious crimes. tel for the mail-stage, which was expected in a few 
 
AX Aat very moment therfe Was a price of 500 dollars nouns, or days, as the state of the roads arid other 
 
pn hw head. Several attempts had been made, both contingencies might determine. As we have found 
 
by the legal authorities and by private individuals, to him in rather dangerous company, it may not be 
 
take him dead or alive, but they had always failed amiss to add a word respecting his qualifications, in 
 
most signally. On one of these occasions he was case of a row. His height did not exceed five feet 
 
said to have killed, or mortally wounded, five men ten, and Hone of his proportions were large; but he 
 
single-handed. Such being his character, it was no was symmetrically built, possessed great strength anet 
 
Wonder that his appearance in Major Lawsons bar greater agility; and was, moreover, a tolerably scien 
 
room struck terror into all its oecupants. But I am tific pugilist. On the whole, notwithstanding their 
 
wrong in saying all; for as he looked round triumph great disparity insize, a worse antagonist might have 
 
antly upon the cowering assemblage, there was one been found for the redoubted Meriwether Gamble. 
 
man who. cist back on him a gaze as haughty as Us We left that gentleman standing ul the doorway of 
 
own. As this person was, moreover, distinguished by the bar-room, and looking most rantancorously, as a 
 
f+ '/'%.' being the-only individual present who could by an) Kemuckian would isay, upon the terrified company. 
 
 598 
 
A Duel in Georgia. 
 
Having waited about two minutes, possibly in the aside: its point entered the floor, and it snapped in 
 
hope of receiving an answer to his first interrogation, two. 
 
he thus delivered himself of his opinions on things in Furious at the loss of his weapon, Gamble sud 
 
general: 
 
denly caught his antagonist by the throat with both 
 
" So youre all quiet now. You were making hands, and casting his huge weight upon him, 
 
noise enough just now, when I came in, Whats the hurled him back helplessly to the floor. It was a 
 
matter? Praps you dont know me?" The coun perilous time for Schuyler. With one hand on his 
 
tenances of all expressed that they sincerely wished breast, the savage held him down; the other was 
 
they did not. " Im Meriwether Gamble, the greatest twisted in his flowing black curls, and the long thumb 
 
team in tlie district. Im a perfect steam-Boat, with nail was under his eye. " Hes gouged!" exclaimed 
 
a considerable sprinkling of the comet. I can knock tlie host: when suddenly the fallen man jerked up his 
 
down and drag out a whole regiment, whip, my weight knees,-and fairly sent his bulky enemy over his head 
 
in Indians, swallow a bufialo wholejfcrid pick my in a complete summerset. A shout of approbation 
 
teeth with the horns. And its my ojjmlon that youre broke from all present. The major now thought pro 
 
all a set of cowards." With which practical applica per to interfere. " Boys !" he exclaimed as the com 
 
tion of his somewhat desultory remarks, the.bully batants regained their feet and gave signs of renewing 
 
ejected a torrent of tobacco-juice across the room, di the battle. " fart em! part em! theyve had rough- 
 
rectly upon the polished boot of the New-Yorker, and-tumble enough." Three men immediately caught 
 
who involuntarily shook hia foot as a man might do hold of Schuyler, and four surrounded Gamble. The 
 
who had stepped into a puddle. . ..  - 
 
:, 
 
billigerents were doubtless not at all sorry to be sepa 
 
The rest of the company were not sorry tq, see the rated ; though Gamble made a show of resistance, 
 
msult,, which had been offered to all present, thus par and swore terribly at those about 1 him. And now 
 
ticularly fixed upon the stranger, who was thus bound Major Lawson, who being on his own premises felt 
 
to take up the quarrel; but they very much doubted authorised in assuming a little authority, proceeded to 
 
if he would show fight. They had not long to doubi. explain his views on the subject, and ended a short 
 
Schuyler rose from his seat, and advancing close to but characteristic speech: "Let em have a pair of 
 
the huge ruffian, asked, in a cool and unimpassioned pistols and a Bowie a piece, nothing else ; put em in 
 
tone: 
 
a dark room together, and let em fight it out like 
 
" Did you intend to spit on my boot, sir?" 
 
.gentlemen." 
 
Gamble appeared speechless with astonishment and This proposition was received with a shout. The 
 
rage. 
 
room, selected for the duel was a sort of garret, which, 
 
" I asky did ypu intend to spit en my boot, sir? 
 
having j im window, was reduced to a state of total 
 
" Spit on your boot! Ill spit in your face next darkness" by closing the door. To this the combat 
 
time!". 
 
ants were conducted, and immediately commenced 
 
Very possibly he might have proceeded to put his their preparations for the encounter, in which they 
 
threat into execution ; but if such was his intention, were assisted by all present. After being provided 
 
Schuyler gave him no time to perfprm it, for on re with weapons, Gamble kicked off his shoes, and 
 
ceiving the above response, he instantly planted his fist, Schuyler pulled off his boots, rolled up his trowsers a 
 
with all the emphasis he could command, full in the little wayj and cut off his straps, for fear the buttons 
 
Georgians chest. So energetically and skilfully was should make a noise. The Major suggested that 
 
the blow given, that the giant reeled back, and, with they had better take off their coats also, which they 
 
scarcely an effort to save himself, toppled over on the accordingly did ; and Schuyler, while giving his to 
 
floor. 
 
;. 
 
the landlord, made this brief testamentary disposi 
 
Had this result been brought about by a miracle, the tion: 
 
. 
 
company could not have been more stupified that " Major," said he, " its highly probable that one 
 
the strongest man they had ever seen should be knocked of us two will never go out of this room till hes car 
 
down at one blow by a fellow who seemed hardly ried. If I happen to be the one, youll find on me a 
 
a mouthful for him ! But they had no long space for silver watch, a silver pencil-case, and thirty dollars in 
 
their wondering cogitatioja; for Gamble suddenly New York bills. See that Im decently buried, and 
 
sprung from the floor with a tiger-like bound, and, -keep the balance for your trouble." 
 
throwing himself headlong on Schuyler, bore him " I say, major," growled Gamble, " just fix me a 
 
down at once. Then followed oaths, and pantings, and good stiff mint-julep, and have it ready for me in fif 
 
rapidity-interchanged blows, and a precipitate scatter- teen minutes. Dont forget, now!" 
 
ation of the bystanders right and left, as the com These were the last words the combatants spoke. 
 
batants rolled over and over on the floor in mortal Almost every one had left the room except Lawson; 
 
struggle. 
 
who now stationed the parties in opposite corners, 
 
There was a pause in the conflict. Both had risen asked if they were quite ready, and, on receiving an 
 
to their knees; neither endeavored to regain his feet, affirmative response, wished them good bye, and 
 
or overthrow the other ; but Schuyler was evidently locked the door upon them, leaving them together, 
 
trying to draw his dirk, and Gamble as clearly endea " to fight it out like gentlemen. 
 
voring to draw his Bowie-knife. 
 
The first thing which each did was to change his 
 
At length the Georgian having freed his right arm, place five or six feet: after which they remained some 
 
raised it over his head, as if to chop down his antag time inactive. The difficulties of their position will 
 
onist with his clenched fist. Such, however, was not be readily appreciated. If one of the duelists advan 
 
his intention. In a moment the bright blade of his ced upon the other, with the intention of coming to 
 
weapon gleamed in the air, and muttering a fearful close quarters, he might by some slight noise expose 
 
oath, he made a deadly stab at the other. .Schuyler himself to his antagonists fire, or might run unawares 
 
caught his opponents wrist, and turned the knife upon the point of a knife or the muzzle of a pistol. If 
 
 The Woodland Sylph. 
 
he fired without being sure of his man, the flash of his once more recognised those fiery grey eyes, as the 
 
pistol would guide the enemy in returning the shot. Georgian stooped over him. Now, or never 1 He 
 
The most natural course -was for them to wait, each collected his fast-failing strength into one last effort, 
 
in the hope of exhausting his opponents patience, and and lunged upwards with all his force. Uttering a 
 
tempting him to commit some imprudence. 
 
wild yell of pain and rage, Gamble leaped into the 
 
In this way they watched each other, or rather air, and fell back dead! 
 
watched for each other, for about ten minutes ; when The party below, who had been empIoyeAin betting 
 
at length Schuyler thought he detected the cat-like on the combatants, rushed up stairs as soon as they 
 
gleam pfjjia antagonists grey eyes at the opposite heard the second fall.  The major .(gained the door, 
 
side of the garret. Turning his left side in that direc tion, and bringing his right arm across his breast, he 
 
and called. He received no, answer, for Schuyler had fainted. He was, however, soon restored to Conscious 
 
peered more eagerly than before into the darkness. His suspicion was increased to certainty; he fired. Instantly the fire was returned; and his left arm, which he had involuntarily raised, fell shattered hy his side. In the agony of die moment, he hurled the dis charged pistol across the room. As it struck harm 
 
ness ; his wounds were bound up, and he was put to bed; for his success made him almost a god in Major Lawsons eyes. In a few weeks, when perfectly re stored to health, he started for home, having had quite enough of the south. 
 
lessly on the rough logs .winch formed the side-walls, His host (who possibly had some private reasons of 
 
he heard a low taunting Chuckle. Human nature his own for rejoicing at Gamble3 death, and feeling 
 
could not bear it; he fired again, almost at random. grateful to the man who had put him out of the way) 
 
Again the fire. wag returned. ;^ the ball piercing his refused to receive one cent of compensation for board, 
 
side, and, overcome by pain trad loss of blood, he fell lodging, er attendance. Naff, more ; he virtually put 
 
heavily to the floor, .While another fiendish lauglj five hundred dollars into his pocket, by informing him 
 
sounded in his eats. 
 
rf the reward that had been, offered for Gamble, dead 
 
But though sorely wounded, Schuyler was not yet or alive. So Schuyler took leave of the hospitable 
 
horg de combat. Raising himself with some difficulty major, and proceeded to Milledgeville (the capital of 
 
to a sitting posture, he drew hia knife, prepared to sell tfie rtaie), to, claim the reward, ;*The governor, who 
 
his life as dearly as possible; only hoping that fag had already heard of the transaction, w8 so pleased 
 
enemy would assail him before he was completely with Schuylers prowess that he invited, him to dinner, 
 
prostrated by the loss of blood. Scarce a minute had expressed his admiration of him, and offered him a 
 
elapsed when he heard a faint creak of the boards cornetey in the Georgian Guards. But Schuyler de 
 
near him Gamble was evidently approaching, to give clined the honor, fully satisfied that New York, even 
 
him the coup de grace. In another moment a heavy with its countless dangers and temptations, was more 
 
foot came in contact with his wounded side ; and he preferable than a life in the Georgian forest. 
 
THE WOODLAND SYLPH. 
 
lown a shady glen At the twilight hoar, Wheneach bird had sought its nest, Mid the leafy bower There I met a little maid, Gathering roses fair, Forming them into a wreath, To adorn her hair. Sparkling were her jetty eyes, Cheeks of damask hue, Graceful was her fairy step, Where the Daisies grew. Seemed she then a flitting sprite, Dropped from realms above, With a sylph like, modesty, Innocence and love. As I watched her wandering!, Near, more near she cam* " Maiden," said I to the child, " What may be thy name 1)" * Rose; they call me little Rose \ n Thus the maiden cried; Plymouth, Mass, 
 
BY MISS C. A. 
 
[ORIGINAL.] 
 
Smiling, with a gentle Math, She approached my side, 
" Can you telf me, little one, Who these flowers made, 
With such rich and lovely hoes, Blooming in the glade V 
" Yes, I know," the child replied, " God made every flower, And he taketh care of all With His loving power." 
"Thou art like these charming bads, Young, and fresh and fair; 
Soon, expanding into bloom, Mental flowers to bear. 
Ever he like these, dear girl, Simple and as pure ; 
Holy thoughts should 611 thy breast, They alone endnre. 
Blessings on thy little head, . Joy nnto thy heart, 
Heaven ever keep the* good, Een as now thpa art."