Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-02
MISCE LII An Y .
A Duel with One Pistol.

/
| At Paris duels have ever been common, the
great arena for such encounters being the Bois dt
Bologne, woody park beyond the barriers OF
the west Here many an unfortunate wretch has
fallen victim to- erroneous principles of honor
The following relation of one of these brutal en-
counters, in which an Englishman of rank was
engaged, is given in an ole English work:
''Vileneuve, most notable villain, was one
day surprised by Talbot, young Englishman
whilst instilling his venom of deception into the
ear of his sister. The words which passed were
few. Suspicious and anonymous letters had al
ready awakened the vigilance of the brother, and
had prepared him to wreak ample vengeance on
the shoulders ofVilleneuve. The blow could not
be excused a meeting took place, and the usual
| barrier duel was proposed. 10 this the young
Englishman most positively dssented. He had
heard that, day after day, and morning after
ING, his adversary was TO be seen popping at fifty
PAGES at little plaster-o paris figure, about the
size of thimble ,and that thanks to his patience,
his practice, and his own pistols, the aim was un
erring. The ''Tir au Pistolet, ,''now very gen.
eraI resort Of all young Frenchmen, in order to
prepare them to commit murder, was likewise the
resort of Ylleneuve. He was proficient,-a
cool. dead shot cool from the knowledge of his
own powers, and that cooness always gives cour-
age when challenged. He smiled, as much as to
say,''lt is immaterial to me 'and the next morn
inc he was with Ills second at the appointed spot
81 will not" said young Talbot, consent 10 be
shot like a chicken at stake. know have no
chance that way Of obtaining redress TOR the inju
ries my family have received. 1 know that my
death is certain, even at htty PAGES, and am re-
solved to have chance for my life; so just tell
that French officer that the only way will coz
sent to fight is to have one pistol loaded and the
other not to draw for first choice, and then to
stand within pace ofeach Others and may Heav-
en- direct the choice of him whose cause is the
most Just - Villeneuve did not make the slight
est objection to the proposition Of Talbot's second,
although several of his own countrymen, who had
come on the pleasant excursion to witness the
6ght, strongly and vainly endeavored to persuade
theic friend to leave his life to better chance
The preparation did not take long. Ths pistols,
both being of course exactly alike, were loaded by
the seconds. and enveloped in large silk hand
kerchief. The first choice fell to the lot Of Vii
leneuve, who, placing his hand on the weapons,
endeavored to choose the heaviest but he who is
to stand such dreadful hazard as the one pro-
posed must be more than man in courage, ii in
such moment he is cool enough to discriminate
between weights to which single suaah bullet
gives the preponderance. He fixed upoaAhe one
he thonght the heaviest, and the other was given
to Talbot They took their respective grounds,
and SO cluse that the nuzze of each mans pistol
touched bic adversary. Talbot expressed him
self as ready TO die as TO commit the murder, but
there was no alternative; he himself had prOpos
ed the mode of fighting, and the ungenerous pre-
caution taken by his adversary, gave HIM little
more of the murderous intention than his feelings
a. k,,.a Tod AIan no
dreadful sights bot few have seen the parallel to
this neither is it to be thought of as the mere etfu
sion Of an imaginary brain. The duel in question
actually took ploce, and if the names were chang
ed. every particular would be true. When both
Were placed On the ground, the seconds of each
and took last farewell. Talbot shook
his friends hand with an earnest trepidation; he
merely whispered few words, and, with faint
smile and fainter accent, said, "Good-by" Viii |
leneHve appeared as uneoneerned as if;he were
casual spectator; he spoke quick and rapidly nod
ded to one or two of the company, more as rec
ogntion than as a parting; aud had taken leave
of his second before Talbot had ended his low
whisper. The words given were merely, "Are
you ready ?" then, "Fre!" Both pistols went
off ON the second, and both men fell. Fllleneuve
only turned upon his side, and almost iEstantane
Dusiy died. Talbot was lifted Immediately; the
,loseness of the pistol at the discharge had knock
I'd him down. and his face was alittle Injured By
the powder; but his worst feeling was that of
lisgust, when he saw his fallen enemy dead at
mis- feet The whrl of the brain left him reason
less for some moments, and he fixed his excited
eyes upon the corpse he was hurried from the
spot in u dreadful state, and many months elaps-
ed before he was perfectly restored to health, or
even reason. There lay Villeneuve, the sworn
Toe to all Englishmen, having met the fate of al
most all protessed duelsts. lie died with
smile OF contempt upon his countenance. Que oi
his companions threw his cloak over the corpse