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Smith, Francis Hopkinson, 1838-1915

"Colonel Carter of Cartersville"


"Are you shore, Chad, it was in the leg?"
"Yes, sah, berry sho. You don't reckel-member, Colonel; but I had Marsa
John's coat, an' I wrop it round Cap'in Loynes when he was ca'aied to
his ca'aige. Yes, sah, jes above de knee. Marsa John picked him de
fust shot."
"I remember now. Yes, you are right. The captain always walked a little
lame."
"But, gentlemen,"--still with great dignity, but yet with an air as
if he desired to relieve our minds from any anxiety concerning
himself,--"by far the most interesting affair of honor of my time was
the one in which I met Major Howard, a prominent member of the Fairfax
County bar. Some words in the heat of debate led to a blow, and the
next mornin' the handkerchief was dropped at the edge of a wood near
the cote-house just as the sun rose over the hill. As I fired, the
light blinded me, and my ball passed through his left arm. I escaped
with a hole in my sleeve."
"Living yet?" said Fitz, repressing a smile.
"Certainly, suh, and one of the fo'most lawyers of our State.


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