Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1898 — An Irishman's Chivalry. [ARTICLE]

An Irishman's Chivalry.

William Smith O’Brien, the leader of the National party of Ireland, who was transported in 1849, had none of the gifts which attract the multitude. He was not an orator, his manners were not winning, and he made few intimacies. But his character and his well-poised head put him at the head of the Nationalists, whose purpose was to secure the independence of Ireland. An anecdote related in Sir Charles Gavan Duffy’s book of reminiscences, “My Life in Two Hemispheres,” shows the chivalry of the man. He had a duel, in the days when that savage method of settling disputes was and the two men were placed opposite to each other. Just as the signal, “One, two, threefire!” was about to be given, O’Brien cried: “Stop! No signal, I pray!” His opponent’s second stepped forward and said with asperity, “This is very irregular, sir. What do you wish to say?” “I wish,” answered O’Brien, “to call your attention to the fact that the gentleman opposite me has let the cap fall off his pistol.”