The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-09-21
A DEADLY HEARINe-A SINGULAR DUEL


DEADLY HEARING-As SINGULAR DUEL.
j A Major Buford, it seems, was one of the
champions of the honor, who. ID the ipalny
days of 1.-THE code" enjoyed proud eminence
tor his accuracy OF aim, and 10 was has boast
that, upon only one occasion in lis popular and
useful life had he failed to kill his man on the
spot. On certain day he was explaining to
divers choice spirits, ia hotel, how it was
that the one exception in his practice had oc-
Cured through defect in bullet, whom, TO
his vast astonishment. one, of the gentlemen
standing within hearing suddenly advanced
and slapped him in the face. Liar !" said
The smlter. who was gray haired man of pc
culiar but by no means truculent expression
Of .countenance.
"Is the provocation sufficient, or must re-.
peat the blow?" For an instant the insulted.
| furiated duelist was inclined to retarn the
seemingly inexplicable assault; but recovering
self possession quickly enough to understand
that the affrOnt meant deliberate challenge
to mortal combat, he answered: "YOu've
done more than enough. Name your friend
don't care what your name ls-and q friend
of mine shall confer with him at once" Such
was the style in which little affairs of the kind
were reduced to practical business in those
honorable days The aged face.slapper cnrtly
introduced the gentleman beside whom he had
been standing as the friend" required, and
with the understanding that the "friendly"
conference should take place in an hOur from
thence, insulted and insuter took temporary
leave of each other. At daybreak on the morn
ing following, the inevitable Injecting" oc-
Cured, in retired place which had been Sc.
lected tor the purpose, and it was agreed by
the seconds that the firing should continue un-
til one or both the antagonists had fallen In
dgnant was the flush of Major Buford's cheeks
when the stranger made it condition that
both himsel: and his foe should be searched be-
fore fighting, to make sure that neither had
adopted any secret protective device: but he
submitted with what grace he could summon,
only muttering to his second: Ill kill him after
this if he were my own father" The ground
being duly measured, the men placed, and the
question, "Gentlemen, are you ready?" asked
and answered, the word was given" fire 2"
Noticing that his strange enemy did not seem
to be even loOking at him while the dread word
was coming. tho Major had resolved to take
his time about firing. His deliberation was
fatal to him; for, at the word, the strangers
shot rang out us though it had been fired by
the very utterancr; and Buford, firing wildly
in the air, fell writhing upon the turf Lead
NE to him." said the stranger to his own Sec
md; and then, addressing the Majors second.
" Is he dead'" The stern answer was. There
he lies, you can see for yourself" Struggling
10 his elbow. the wounded duelist raised him
self partly from the ground and fixed CHASTITY
stare upon his slayer, who coolly remarked.
can see nothing, for / am totally blind"
Then, while agony and astonishment kept the
lying man and his second silent the old anaa
"You do not know me, Buford,
,ut have never forgotten you. Ny name 10
Morton. You persuaded my only daughter
rom her home, dece7ing her with a sham
marriage and left her to die of a broken heart.
Ny only remaining child. my son, you gave .,
meeting when he demanded it for a sisters
vrongs and killed him by your accursed skill
coat Of mail. Their mOther-my
vife-was brreft of her reason by your das-
ardly destruction of both our children, and
led in madhouse. Could have found you
hen l would have given you no chance for
our life; but, brave as you always pretended
o be and coward as you are, you dreaded and
luded me. Yet knew we should one day
meet; and registered VOW that when we
id would make you q sacrifice to your own
1fernal art For years trained myself to
ecome unerringly expert with the pistol, and
~ success was perfect. Then, even while
united for you, coward, blindness came upon
le, like another wrong from your hand. In
sead of abandoning my purpose, ! took my
ath of vengeance anew, and resolved to make
earring take the place Of sight Again I was
iccrssful. learned to take aim with ear in
ead of eye. When heard you answer
-eady" moment ago, knew as well where
point my pistol as though I could ace you.
esides, could hear your breathing You
fought to make sure Of your shot by delay,
nd overreached yourself"
During this curious address, which was de-
rered with n cool, pitiless deliberat,on. char.
,terized by no more passion than that OF con.
mptious hatred, the Major's labored breath
& became shorter and shorter, until at last
, fell back, and all was still. Dead" whis-
'red the avenger, and taking his second's arm.
, turned and walked leisurely of the field. r
Mr.. MILFORD, in the Talk of Old Japan"
ys that nudity in the bath, where both sexes
unyed together. ia as innocent in the eyes of