The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-08-08
A SINGULAR DUEL.

friends, one day, the Major was discus
sing his last "atfair," and complacentll
explaining how it came that he mortallN
wounded his adversary, instead Of xii
ling him on the spot, when one of two
gentlemen standing in hearing, suddenly
advanced and struck him in the face
The spectators stood aghast. Wha
could have tempted the stranger to rusl
thus mady on to his fate? He was ar
old man. Already, to appearance, hat
three score and ten years passed over
his head. He must, indeed, have beer
weary of life, whose brief remnant he
was ready to cast away so recklessly.
The Major was astonished. The very
audacity of the act struck him will
amazement.
as the provocation sufficient. or must
1 repeat it ?" inquired the assailant.
The Majors first impulse was to re
turn blow for blow But fierce and vic
lent as were his passions, he had school
ed himself to complete mastery ovel
them, ,and moments reflection told him
how bootless, under the circumstances
would be public brawl, The indignity
ihe had received would admit Of but one
reparation, and that he determined tC
lose no time i'll seeking.
THE insult is sufficient" he answered
with forced calmness "Oblige me by
naming a friend-for your own I care
MOTTO whom l 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 the two strangers took theil
leave together.
At sunrise on the following morning,
the principals and seconds made theiI
appearance on the ground selected. No
one else was present--not even sur
geon The Major,in his own past expe-
rience needed none; and his opponent.it
was plain, was careless Of the conse,
quences:
There was no necessity for delay. The
Ipreliminaries had teen settled. The par
ties were to fight with pistols, at ten pa.
ces, the combat to continue till one OF
both had fallen One condition had
been insisted on by the stranger, which
called an indignant blush to the Majors
cheek, and it seemed to imply an impu-
tation upon his honor, though he sub
mitted to it with the best grace he could.
1t was, that before placing the combat
tants 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 con-
trast between the two in more respects
than years. The old man, erect and mo-
tionless as a statute, his whitened locks
floating in the breeze, never once looked
at his antagonist, thoughNhis side was
turned His face was stern and deter
mined, but had nothing malignant i'll it.
The Major, on the other hand, glared at
his foe, seeming even to grudge him the
few moments of life yet eked out to him.
"Were he my father,I would kill him.
he answered audibly, to some whispered
expostulations of his second, who was
evidently touched by the old mans ven
cradle appearance.
The pistols were put in the hands of
the principals, and the giving of the
word explained.
"Gentlemen, are you ready?"
"Readyn' both answered.
Still the old man moved not, nor did
he direct a single glance at his adversa-
ry. His eyes were fixed in front. His
attitude was one Of rapt attention. He
seemed like one listening intently.
"FireP'
Without changing the direction of his
gaze, or other movement than that of
his arm, which rose with the precision of
nicely adjusted machine, the old man
brought his pistol to the level of his en-
emy's breast. For an instant he held it
there. Still no look in the direction it
was pointed. 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 look
ing whitherward. He took deliberate
aim. He was determined to make sure
work. If his ball missed his adversary's
heart, even fraction of an inch, he
would never make any pretensions to
skill again.
The sharp report of the strangers
pistol was followed by a convulsive jerk
of the Majors arm, cansing the dis
charge of his weapon far wide of its
mark, while lie, staggering a few PAGES
backward, fell heavily to the ground.
"Conduct me to him. said the old man
to his friend.
The latter took his principals armand
led him to the PROSTATE form of the Ma
jor, whose second, kneeling by his side,
had torn open his garments, exposing to
view the fatal wound in his breast made
by the strangers bullet.
"Is your friend seriously hurt? ?" in
quired the latter, cody.
''You can see for yourself, sir?' the
second answered.
"There you're in error replied the
other; 81 am totally blind"
The wounded man, who had by this
time revived little, and the second,
looked at the stranger in astonishment
There was no visible defect in his organs
of vision; but there was fixity of look
that "bending of the eyes on vacancy"
which so Enthusiastically evinces the ab-
sence of sight
who are you? and what is your mo-
tive in seeking this encounter ?" the Ma
jor family murmured.
First are you in condition to re-
new p inquired the stranger.
"There is no need | am dying"
"When l have told you who | am"
the stranger resumed, "you will scarce
require my motive for what have done
No wonder you have forgotten James
Norton" he continued, "for he is great.
ly changed no doubt"
The dying man started and groaned
bitterly.
"But l have never forgotten you,
James Buford, nor the injuries you have