The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1869-12-18
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a Singular Duel.
By JUDGE CLARK.

By JUDGE CLARK.
Major Buiord called by way Of eminence Ht
Majnr, was the most noted duellist of his day
! de,d shot, perfect master OF fence, and in bis
enm,i-s utterly relentless, his name had become
terror to all who knew him.
In the midst of knot of admiring friends one
day, the Major dscoursing of his last affair,
and ompacently explaining how it came that
he had only mOrtally wounded his adversary in
stead OF killing him on the spot, when one oi
Two gentlemen standing within hearing sud-
denly advanced and struck him in the face.
The spectators stood aghast. What could have
tempted the stranger to rush thus madly on his
int- 7? He was an old man. Already, TO APP
pearance, mad threescore years and ten passed
over his head He must have been indeed weary
of Il life whose brief remnant he was ready 10
rasi away so reckessly.
The Major was astounded The very audacity
OF the outrage struck him with amazement.
rs the provocaiion sufficient or must | repeat
it ? inquired the assailant.
The Majors first impulse was TO return blow
for blow But fierce and violent as were his
passions, he had schooled himself to complete
mastery over them, and a moments reflection
told him how bootess, under the circumstances,
would be public brawl. The indignity be had
received would admit of but one reparatiOn, and
iha, he determined to loose no time in seeking.
The insult is sufficient he answered, with
forced calmness Oblige me- by naming friend
for your own name care MOTTO whom | may
refer one of my own.
This gentleman replied the other, resuming
the arm OF his companion, will return here in an
hour TO confer with any one you may designate
And tine two strangers took their leave together
Al sunrise on the following morning, the
principals and their seconds made their ap-
prarance on the ground selected. No one else
was present, not even IA surgeon. The Major, in
his past experience, never had needed one, and
tIlis oppt nent, it was plain, was careless Of con-
sequences.
There was no necessity for delay. The prelimi-
maries had all been settled. The parties were to
tight with pistols at ten PAGES the combat to
continue till one or both had fallen. One condi-
aon has been insisted upon by the stranger
which called an indignant blush to the Majors
cheek, as il seemed to imply an imputation upon
his honor, though he submitted to it with the
best grace he could. 1t was that, before placing
the comhatants, the bodies of both should be in
spected, to see that no secret protective device
was employed by either.
The ground was measured, and the men placed.
There was marked contrast between the two in
more respects than that of years. The old man,
eret and motionless as statue, his whitened
locks floating in the breeze, never once looked at
his antagonist toward whom his side was turned.
His face was stern and determined, but had
nothing malignant in it. The Major, on the
other hand glared fiercely on his foe, seeming
e.en To drudge the few moments of life yet eked
out TO him.
Were he my own father would kill him =
he said, audibly replying TO some whispered ex-
pustulatiOn of his second, who was evidently
touched by the old mans venerable appearance.
The pistols were put in the hands of the
principals, and the giving of the word was ex-
planned.
Gentlemen, are you ready
Ready, both answered.
Still the old man moved aot, nor did he d.
rect single glance at his adversary. His eyes
were fixed in 'front.' His attitude was one Of rapt
attention. He seemed like one listening intently.
Ere
Without changing the direction of his gaze, or
other movement than that of his arm, which rose
with the precision and steadiness of nicely ad-
jns,ed machine, the old mar brought his pistol
To the level of his enemy's breast. For in
stant he held it there. Still no look in the direc-
,ion ipointed. Still the same appearance of eager
listening.
The Major was in no hurry. He could afford
To take his time with man who held his pistol
at random, without whitherward. He took de-
libera,e aim. He was determined TO make sure
work II his ball missed his adversary's heart,
though hu, the fraction of an inch, he would
never make pretensons TO skill again.
The sharp report of the strangers pistol was
followed by convulsve jerk of the Majors, arm
causing the discharge of his weapon far wide Of
its mark, while he, staggering few PAGES back
ward, fell heavily TO the ground
Conduct me 10 him, said the old man TO hi;
friend,
THE latter took his principals arm, and led
him close tG the PROSTATE form OF the Major
whose second, kneeling by his side had torn oper
his garments, exposing to view the fatal wound
in his breast made by the strangers bullet.
Is your friend seriously hurtp cody inquired
the latter.
You can see for yourself, SIR the second
answered.
There you are in error, replied the other
am totally blind"
The wounded man (who had by this time re-
yived litle) and his friend looked at the strang
rr in asionishment There was no visible defect
in his organs OF vision, but there was that fxity
of look, that bending of the eyes on vacancy,
which SO unmistakably evinces the absence o
sight.
Who are you and what was your motive in
seeking this encounter p the Major family mur.
INJURED.
First are you 10 a condition TO renew il p in
quired the stranger.
There is no need | am dying
When have told you who am the stran
ger resumed, you will scarce require to be told
my motive for what have done.
No wonder you have forgotten James Merton,
he continued, for he is greatly changed no doubt
The dying man started, and groaned bitterly
But have never forgotten you, Richard Bu
ford, nor the injuries you have done me.
cherished daughter, the pride of my eyes and
the joy OF her mothers heart you enticed from
her home, deceived by sham marriage, and
then abandoned to die of brakeu heart
My son and only remaining child, 10 rasl
attempt TO avenge his sisters wrong fell a victim
10 your accursed skill You even robbed him o
the ordinary chances Of combat unequal as they
would have been, by encasing your cowardly
body in concealed armor
The loss of both children unsettled my wife
reason, and she died in mad house.
Gould have found you then, | would hav
given you no chance for your life but valiant a
you have always professed 10 be, aud coward a
you are, you feared and evaded me.
Yet knew We should one day meet and
registered vow that when we did, would 0ffe
you sacrifice to your own internal art.
TO this end | studied to become an adept il
il, and succeeded. And when at length blind
ness cast lis shadow upon me, and seemed to rem
der hopeless the ful6lment of my VOW, instead o
abandoning it, betook myself to new specie
OF practice. sought 10 make hearing take tn
place OF sight. Again succeeded. learned Il
take aim with the ear instead OF with the eye.-
When heard you answer, Ready, to-day,