The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-08-26
MISCELLANY.
a slnsnIarnne..

Renee, "the Major, was the most noted
1ualist Of The day. A dead shot, per
feet ieoce and in his enmities, utterly
Teleutless, his name bad become terror
20 81 Who knew him
in the midst Of knot of admiriug
friends. Que day, the Major vas discuss
sng his last affair, and complacently
explaining how IL came that he mortally
wounded HE Adversary instead of killing
him on the spot, when one of two gentle
men standing within hearing suddenly
advanced aud struck him in the face.
The spectators stood agbast. What
could have tempted the stranger to rush
TINS madly on his fate y He was old
man. Already, TO appearance, had
three score and ten years passed over
his Ous He must, i0'eed have been
weary Of life, whose remnant he was
Tesdy Il cast away 80 reckiessly.
TIE MujnT WIS asfonished. The very
ausacity Of he act i1Scck him with amaze
ment
Is he provocltion sufficient or must
I repeat it ?" inquired hisssssailsnt.
The " ios's 6rat impulse was to re
turn blow for blow. But fierce aud
viossas IS we're his passions, he had
schu6lel himself TO complete mastery
over them; and moments reflection
told him hos bootiess. under tie cireum
sisoces would be public brsHl The
indignity be had received would admit OF
= but.one repsration aud that ne deter
inu.i to lose no time in seeking.
lghe insult Is Sufficient, be answered.
|rish forced eslnusss. 'Ob!ige me BY
naming fsiend-for your own care
not--fo ahom may l refer one OF ny
oEu
.sfhi- gentleman, replied the other,
rssunliug the arm of his companion, will
return mere Ia au hour. tU couter with
sny one you may designate.
And the two strangers took their
lesve together.
A, sunrise. on the following morning
the priuc pals aud eir seconds made
their appearance on The ground selected
No one else was present-not even
surgeon The Major, IN hi own exper
ence. never had needed que; and his op
pousN. it was plain waytarsless OF the
Consequences.
There sas no necessity. of delay. The
prelirninaries had been Settled. The
parties we're 10 fight with pistols, at ten
PAGES, the combat to continue until one or
both had fallen One condition had
been insisted on By the stranger, which
called an indignant blush to the Majors
eheek. as il seemed to imply an imputa
ton upon his honor. though he submit
ted to it with the best grace he could
Il was. that before placing the combat
Ents. the bodies of both SHOULD be IN
speeted, 10 see that No secret protective
desice was employed By either.
The ground vas measured aud the
men placed There was marked con
ttaat between the Two ia more respects
than that Of years. The ole man, erect
aud moiicnless as a statue. his whiteued
LOCKS aoatiDg on The brseze, never ouce
cooked at his antagonist, though his side
vas turned. His facs was stern aud de
:eruIined. but mad nothing malignant in
II. The Major, on the other hand glared
fsrceiy ct his foe, seeming even TO grudge
bin the few moments Of lie Jet eked out
70 him
Were he M father would kill him.
Re answered. audbiy. to some whispered
representations OF has second, Who was
3. evideo,Iy touched by the old man ven
eFahe appearance
The pistols we're put in the hands Of
toe principals. and the giving Of the
wero was explained.
~Genilemen. are you ready -
"Ready, both answered.
SSH the old man moved not, nor did
he direct n single glance at his adversary
III eyes we're fixed in front; bis attitude
VAS one Of rspt attention. he see med
Ike oae listening intentiy.
~Fire -
Without changing the direction of his
gsEe or other movement than that OF his
sTm, 3hich rose with the precision OF
nicely adjusted machine the Old man
brought his pistol to the level of his
enemy's breast For an instant he held
s. there still 20 loek in the direction
il pointed Sill the ssme appearance of
eagsr listening.
The Nsjur vas in no hurry. He
could afford TO take his time with man
who held hi- pistol at random, without
hooking whiiherward He took deliber
ate aim He vas determined to make
sure work II his bull missed his adyer
sary's heart, even fraction of an inch, he
Sould never make any pretsntion to
skill again.
The sharp report Of the strangers pis
tel ysSs followed by convulsive jerk o.
the Sisjors arm. csusf-Z the discharge
Of his weapon far vide OF its mark, While
he. staggering few PAGES backward, tel
hesvily to the ground
Conduct NE TO Gu, said the old mar
to his friend.
The latter took his principals arm. and
led him to the prostraee form eft the
Mejor, whose secoud, kneeiing by hi,
side. had torn open his garment, expo
sing 10 view the fatal wound in his breast
made by the strangers bullet
as your friend seriously hurt?'' in
quirei the latter ooolly.
''You can see for yourself, sir" the
second answered.
.There you're in error" replied the
e5S4s.fr, 81 am totally blind"
The wounded man. who had By thii
time revived a little. and his second
looked at the stranger in establishment
There vas no visible defeciin bis organs @
vision. but there was fxity of look
that bending Of The eyes on vacancy
which 80 Enthusiastically eyinees the alb
SERGE Of sight
.Who are you? and ghat was you
motive IL seeking this encounter p th,
Major faintiy murmrrcd.
.'First. are you q condition to rcneg
il inquired the stranger.
There Is no need-I am dying"
when / have told you who I am,
the stranger resumed~ ''you will scare
redrTre motive for what [ have done \,
wonder you have forgotten james Mer
ton be continued. '.5or he is great.