Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-02-18
THE LEFT-HANDED DUE

In the fall Of 1880, Mr.. Archer was /,
young Virginia lawyer Of some note going ID
Powhatan Court House on business. be acct
IDENTITY met General Crump. a small sbarn-
featured gentleman, with piercing dark ewes
thin lips, and nose like an eagles beak,
was cool. sarcastic, and singing as a wasp.
There might be read the history Of dozen
duels in the sneer that writhed like a snake
IN Its coil around the corners of his mouth,
as every seperate word issued through his
teeth with shrill and menacing hiss. lie
never seemed to forget one instant that he
was the most famous dead shot in Virginia.
In conversation with Crump about suit
In which they were opposing counsels, the
latter made offensive remarks, or insinuations.
of which Mr. Archer desired an explanation.
81 have no explanation to make said
Crump, and he set bis keen eyes upon the
other as if he would STAY him with glance.
The look was quasi murder
Archer threw his entire soul into one stern
sentence
Then demand of you to retract the in
situations you have made against my motive,'
81 shall add Fifty more Of the kind before
I retract that said Crump with sheer.
and turning on his heel. be remarked, Il am
going to my room at the hotel to wait for
your communication, if you have any for me y
Col Archer's friends gathered in cluster
around him, entreating him that he would
not sacrifice his life to the bullet Of duel
list whose aim was sure and deadly. But be
would not be persuaded he would punish
Crump, or perish III the attempt. A formal
challenge was soon passed and accepted, and
the meeting was arranged to transpire at
sunrise the next morning, on the summit of a
hill, two miles West Of Powhatan Court
House. At the time and place designated
great throng collected to witness the COM
bat. Crump and Archer had both arrived
at day break, and saluted each other coldly
through the palesh of twilight With the
golden glimpse Of the sun, the principals were
stationed in position by their seconds; and
all hearts in the multitude vibrated with
strange feelings almost fear, so determined
and deadly were the countenances of the two
foes, although the expressions on their faces
individually, we're very different. Crump's
visage wore the searching sneer of devil
sure of his prey, but the blue eyes of Archer
seemed surcharged with the lightning of man.
ly wrath. The word being given, the two
pistols roared simultaneously Archer's bull
let grazed Crump's left temple, but bis own
right arm fell shattered to his side.
"Ha. have winged my game" criel
Crump, in tones of hooking triumph.
Yes! but have still wing remaining at
your service!" shouted Archer, shaking his
other arm in the face of his enemy, and de-
handing an additional round
Again the weapons of death were loaded,
and the parties took their pisces Archer
must have been suffering an agony of pain
Beads of cold water rolled from his forehead;
the blood streamed down from bis wounded
arm, and stood in puddles about his feet; his
features were white as marble--so white that
be might have been na;stsaon for ghost; and
indeed, there appeared every reason to sup
pose that he would really be ghost at the
next explosion of Crump's pistol. Yet he
gave no evidence of fear Looking his an
tagonist resolutely in the face he exclaimed
General, you now have every advantage;
| am forced, by necessity, to use my left hand
and if you were not a coward, you would do
the same"
Quick as thought, Crump, changed the
weapon from the right hand to the left, and
Immediately the word to fire was repeated -
At the sound of the pistols, both enemies fell
Archer had tainted from loss of blood the eff
feet of his previous wound, bat Crump was
shot through the heart!