Washington's Unfought Duel
By H. A. Ogden
It is narrated that on one occasion in his early manhood Washington came very near the settlement of a dispute, so common in those days, by fighting a duel. But as he was the one who should have issued the challenge, he had the still greater courage to apologize and admit that he was in the wrong. It was in the town of Alexandria, where the young Virginia colonel was quartered with his troops, that an election dispute occurred, and in the heat of the party excitement Washington told a Mr. Payne that he lied. That gentleman at once replied with a blow that knocked the young colonel down. Word having reached the barracks14that their beloved commander had been killed, his soldiers rushed to the city to avenge him. He met them, however, quieted them, and they returned to their quarters. Mr. Payne, on receiving a note from Washington the next morning asking him to call at his lodgings, supposed it was, of course, to give the colonel opportunity to demand "satisfaction" for the blow he had received the day before. Imagine his surprise when, instead of finding pistols or swords ready for a duel, Washington greeted him with outstretched hand, saying: "I believe I was wrong yesterday. You have already had some satisfaction; and if you deem that sufficient, here is my hand; let us be friends!"—H. A. Ogden, in St. Nicholas.