Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-09-19
One Man Lost TO Cuba.

we were lnIOrtneu yesterday vi d HOS
tile meeting which took place on Tues
day morning last, at the rev Canal, near
the terminus of Common street, which
had its origin in circumstances border
ing somewhat on the romantic.
1t appears that about three years ago,
a young man who resided in Fayetie
county, KY, and who for convenience
we shall call Hardy, was deeply smi,len
by the beauty and many accomplish
ments OF a charming miss of sixteen.
She had grown up, as it were, under his
eye, and for many years before her
childish form ripened into womanhood,
he had determined TO make her his wife.
But a rival disturbed his dreams of hap
piness, and, as is frequently the case, the
lady bestowed her affections on the new
lover. He was not acceptable, however,
10 pa and ma, and our young miss was
married to Hardy. But she had a will
of her own, and a mo determined one,
as the sequel proved, for she had not
been wed a month when she left the
matrimonial domicil, aud fled TO Cincin-
natl with her favored lover.
He did 0 betray the trust she repo-
sed in him; and it is said they have lived
together as happily as if the union was
sanctioned by laws human and divine.
The lover husband however, lately took
a fancy TO visit the Island of Cuba, what
for is best known to himself, and with
that intention arrived here a few days
,rn frbo eo,, niront,o .,l;,h n~oi
ted his desire to travel, had stimulated
some ardent spirits in Kentucky, and
! Hardy was one of some half dozen
young men who also arrived here a few
days ago. The injured husband and the
fortunate lover met, were introduced,
recognized each other, and drank jnseps
together. . -..
But the memory of Hardy's wrongs
ranked too deeply Tor endurance in the
presence of his successful rival, and like
a brave and generous man he acknowl-
edged the fact, and having declared that
one of them had already lived too long,
proposed that they should determine the
matter of life and death between them
by a hostile meeting. The proposition
was accepted, and on Monday evening
both parties, with two friends, drove out
on the Shell Road, and selected a small
opening or glade, on the opposite side of
The Canal, for The execution of their re-
solve.
Early on Tuesday morning they went
to the appointed spot, still accompanied
only by two friends. The weapons
were pistols, and when the ground was
measured, and each were about to as
sumo his position, Hardy's opponent
advanced to him, and having taken his
hand, said that he hoped that similar
feeling animated them both, and though
about to enter into mortal combat, that
there was no malice in the heart of eth,
er.
Hardy nodded acquiescence 10 this
sentiment and each took his stand at the
appointed place. At the first fire Hardy
received a flesh wound in the thigh, but
did not fail, and coolIy demanded that
the pistols be reloaded. The seconds
demonstrated with him; but he was de-
termined, and declared that il was i'm
possible that he and his opponen, could
live, travel and act together; that they
nigh. be called upon to fight side by
side in the same good cause, and he, in a
momen, of excited passion, would, per-
haps. avenge in a more dishonorable
manner. the wrongs which had Impress
ed themselves upon his heart and mind.
Both seconds, however, were united
in their opinion that the affair had gone
far enough, and after some discussion,
all parties were reconciied by a PROPOSE
ton tina, Hardy and his opponent aud RI
val should decide by chance which of
them should return home, and who pro-
coed on The intended enterprise.
A half dollar was whirled into the air,
and again fortune was against The inju-
red husband. They all returned to the
city, and Hardy, who had his wound
dressed, left here on Wednesday.
What The lady will do under these cir
cumstances it is difficult TO say; but she
may consider man at home better than
one whose life and fortunes are cast upon
The uncertain tide of war and may re-
turn to her lawful lord. "Oh woman,
woman thou should'st have few sins of
thine own TO answer, for thou art the
cause of such a book OF follies in maa,
that it would take the tears of all the an
gels to blot the Record out."-N. o.
Picayune, .Aag. 3.