The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-09-08
A SHAM DUEL.
From the New Orleans Delta, August 10.

From the New Orleans Delta, August 10.
The colossal Joke of the season was perpe
trated in Carrollton, last evening in the way OF
sham duel. The victim selected was young
gentleman of excellent social parts, and per
haps very brave fellow in his way, if he knew
himself to be in good cause-though he
| showed himself to be little nervous yesterday
A difficulty had been arranged between him
and another young gentleman of the opposite
side of the river, and he was induced to send
a challenge, which was of course accepted.
Last evening was the time for the meeting to
| take place, and both principals appeared on the
ground with their seconds and surgeon.
Double-barreled shot-guns were in readiness,
loaded with heavy charges of powder and
wadding. The stiffness of death prevailed as
the seconds went through most unusually
long series of ceremonious preparations, to all
of which our hero was blank witness-his
face wearing the hue of linen just from the
hands of the laundress. 'o
| Everything being prepared, our hero's Sec
ond took him aside, to whisper few hints in
his ear. 1t will be, doubtless, impossible for
you to obtain deliberate aim at your oppo.
nent between the words" said he, "snI have
hit upon capital expedient to give you a dead
shot shall drop your hat right on the line,
and few steps in front of you. When you
stand, hold your gun pointing directly at the
hat, and as soon as you hear the word fire,
raise it on a line and FIRE, without losing sec.
ond." n istH 2e 9sfa 1sff 81 t3bcl
Our hero was delighted with this brilliant
conception, and readily allowed his hat which
was one he had just bought in this city, and
took much pride in, to be used in the manner
indicated by his second. He took his position,
thirty PAGES from that of his adversary, and
AZ a e.
from the crown of his new head piece.
g Are you readyg 7" cried one of the seconds
Before an answer could be given, bang went
our hero's gun, the wadding in it blowing his
hat to pieces. A cry came from his opponent
at the same time, and looking towards him, he
saw him fall to the ground, pressing his hand
on his left side. The fallen mans second
shouted, "Foul play that shot was fred be-
fore the word" At the same time drawing an
empty pistol from his pocket, and dwelling it
upon our hero, who, Mortified at this unexpecd-
ed array of circumstances, threw up his hands,
and called to his second, Save me, save me y
Some one on the ground shouted, arunl" and
off our hero put, at q pace that would have done
credit to professional pedestrian.
The constable, who had been watching the
fun from behind the fence, now started after
the fugitive, and number joined in the chase.
Our hero made for the woods, and so distanced
his pursuers as to secure hiding place among
the brush that none could discover. At length,
as the constable was about desisting from the
search, he heard low whisper of " o, Stevei ;"
/" Helloa, where are you? he returned 90,
Steve; won't you protect me if i come out? !"
g Certainly" answered the constable /" am
an officer of the law, and bound to do SOL Our
hero then made his appearance, and under the
protection of the constable returned to the
field. = ssrd 81 bsfi ~ lliw sss5Ie65 IS.
Here Was scene to have melted the sternest
heart Stretched upon the grass, and feebly
moaning, was our hero's antagonist. A bundle
Of cloth, saturated with red ink, was tied around
his waist. The Doctor motioned for the ap-
preaching party to stand back, that the poor
fellow was breathing his last Our hero saw
that he had no more Immediate danger to an
ticipate, and immediately observed, I" Yes, i
aimed straight for his hearth !. How came
iyouito blow your hat to pieces, then? 2 inquired
some one, This hint seemed to bring new
light to the mind of eur hero, and be perhaps
would have smelt q rat Of huge Dimensions had
not his second observed, Your shot struck the