The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-11-28
The Left handed Duel.

1uO UClb u0uuCu VuCl'
In the fall Of 1880, Mr.. Archer was .
Young Virginian lawyer of some note
Goiug to Powhatten Court House on bust
ness, he accidentally met Gen. Crump, q
small, sharp p-featured gentleman, with
piercing dark eyes, thin lips, and nose
like the eagles beak, was cold, sarcastic,
and singing like wasp. There might be
read the history Of dozen duels in the
sneer that writhcd like snake, in its coil
around the corners Of his mouth, as every
separate word issued through his teeth with
sort Of shriI and menacing hiss. lie
never seemed TO forget one instant that
he was the most famous dead shot in Vir-
ginia. In conversing with Crump about
suit in which they were opposing counsel
the latter made some offensive remarks, or
nsinustions, Of which Mr.. Archer desired
an explanation.
i have no explanation to make,' said
Crump, and he set his keen eyes on the 9TH
er as il be would slay him with glance.
The look was quasi murder.
Archer threw bis entire soul into one
stern sentence demand ofyou to
retract the insinuation you have made ;.
gainst my motives
4 shall add fifty more before retract
that!' said Crump with sneer, aud turn
ing on his heel, he remarked--sl am going
to my room al the hotel to wait for your
communication, il yon have any for me-
Col. Archer's friends gathered in clusters
around him, entrenting that he would not
sacrifice his life TO the bullet of due!list
whose aim was sure and deadly. But he
would not be persuaded--he would punish
Crump or die in the attempt. A formal
challenge was soon pnssed and accepted,
and the meeting was arranged to transpire
at sunrise the next morning, on the sum
init Of high hill, two miles west Of Pow
hatten court house. At the time and place
designated, great throng assembled to
witness the combat. Crump and Archer
had both arrived at day break and suluted
each other coldIy through the pale haze Of
twilight With the first golden glimpse Of
the sun the principals were stationed 10
position by seconds; and all hearts in the
multitude vibrnted with a strange feeling,
almost Of fear; 70 determined and deadly
were the conntenances Of the two foes, al
though the expressions on their faces indi-
vidually were very different. Crump's
yisage wore the scorching sneer Of a devil
sure Of his prey; but The blue eyes Of Arch
er seemed snrchnrged with the lightning Of
manly wrath. The word being given, the
two pistols roared ultaneonsly. Arch
er's bullet grazed Crump's left temple, but
his own arm fell shattered to his side.
'Ha! have winged my game! cried
Crump in tones Of mocking triumph.
Yes; but have still wing at your ser.
vice. shouted Archer, shaking his other arm
in the face Of his enemy, and demanding
an additional round.
Again the weapons ofdeath we're loaded
and the parties took their places. Archer
must have peen suffering an agony Of pain.
Beads of cold sweat rolled from his forehead; !;
the blood streamed down from his wounded
arm, and stood in puddles about his feet; his
features were white us marble-so white
that he might have been mistaken for a
ghost; indeed there was every reason to
suppose that he would really be ghost at
the next explosion Of Cru,np's pistol. Yet
he gave no evidence Of fear. Looking his
antagonist rcsolutely in the face he ex.
claimed
General you now have every advantage.
am forced by necessity to use my left
hand, and, if you are not coward, you
will do the same
Quick as thought Crump changed tho
weapon from the right hand to the left, and
Immediately the word fire was repeated
At the sound Of the pistols both enemies fell
Archer had fainted from loss Of blood, the ef-
feet Of his previous wound, but Crump was
shot through the heart!
The report is current in the eastern
papers that Maj. Hobbie, will leave the
post of First Assistanl Postmaster during
this month.--We are glad to hear it. No
matter who his successor may be, there
will be more efficiency introduced into
this department. The CONTRACTORS in the
West, particularly-willl not have it oil
their own way, and complete immunity
from all penalties, for neglect Of duty as
they have done for years past. The won
der is, that any administration should have
kept him in Office 80 long aud 50 much 70
the disadvan.sge Of the public.-H Louis
Republican.
The MYsTERIoUs RAprINGs.--ln refer
ence to tho visit Of the family ofthe Fishes
at Farnum's Hotel, the London Athennum
thus remarks: