Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-09-01
A BLIND MANS DUEL.

ted duelist of the day. \ dead shot,
perfect master of fence and in his en-
nIities utterly relentless, his name had
become a terror to all who knew him.
= In the midst of knot of admiring
friends, one day, the Major was dis
GUESSING his last affair."" and compla-
Gently eXpIainirgshow it came that he
mortally wounded his adversary, in
stead of killing him on the spot, when
one of two gentlemen standing within
hearing, suddenly advanced and struck
him in the face. The spectators stood
aghast. What could have tempted
the stranger to rush thus madly on his
fate? He was an old man. Already,
to appearance, had three-score and
ten years passed over his head. He
must, indeed. have been weary of life,
whose brief remnant he was willing
to cast away 50 recklt ssly.
The Major was astonished. The very
audacity of the act struck him with
amaZement.
as this provocation sufficient, or
must repeat ," inquired his assail-
ant.
The Majors first impulse was to re-
turn blow for blow. But fierce and
violent as were his passions, he school
ed himself to &C nplete mastery over
them, and a moments reflection told
him how bootless, under the circum-
stances, would be public brawl. The
indignity he had received would adj
nit of but one reparatiOn, and that he
determined to lose no time i'll seeking.
1.-The insult is sufficient" he an
f,,r,ol ooh
lige me by naming a friend"
And the two strangers took their
leave together.
At sunrise on the following morn
ing the principals and their seconds
made their appearance on the ground
selected. No one else was present
not even a surgeon. The Major, in
his own past experience, never had
needed one; and his opponent, it was
plain was careless of the consequence.
There was no necessity for delay
The preliminaries had been settled
The parties were to 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 in
dignant blush to the Majors cheek,
as it seemed to imply an imputatiOn
upon his honor, though he submitted
to i: with the best grace he could. 1t
was, that before placing the combat
ants the bodies of both should be in
spected, to see that no secret prOtec-
tive device was employed by either.
The ground was measured, and the
men placed. There was Il marked con-
trast between the two in more respects
than that of years. Tie Old man,
erect and motiOnieSS as a statue, his
whitened locks floating IN the breeze,
never once looked at his antagonist,
though his side was turned. His face
was stern and determined, but nOthing
maglignant in it. The Major on the
other hand. gla:cd fierCely at his foe,
seemed even to grudge him the few
moments of life yet eked out to him.
Were he my father, | would kill
him! ~ he answered, audibly, to some
whispered eXpostulation 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 explained.
Gentlemen, are you ready :"
Ready" both answered.
Still the old man moved not, nor did
he direct single glance at his adver-
sarv. His eyes were fixed in front.
His attitude was one of rapt attention.
He seemed like one listening intently,
" Fire ~
Without changing the direction of
his gaze or other movement than that
of his arm, which rose with the pre-
cision of nicely adjusted machine,
the old man brought his pistol to the
level of his enemy's breast. For an
instant he held ii there. Still the same
appearance OF eager listening.
The Major Was in no hurry. He
could afford to take his time with a
man who held his pistol at random,
without looking whitherward. He
was determined to make sure work. II
his ball missed his adveTSary's heart,
even fraction of an inch. he would
never make any pretention to skill
again.
The sharp report of the strangers
pistol was followed by a cOnvulsive
Jerk of the Majors arm, causing the
discharge of his weapons far wide of
its mark, while he, staggering few
PAGES backward, fell heavily to the
ground.
Conduct me to him." said the old
man TO his friend.
The latter took his principals arm.
and led him to the PROSTATE form OF
the Major. whose second kneeling by
his side, had torn open his garments,
exposing to view the fatal wound in
his breast, made 10y the strangers bull
let.
lis your friend seriously hurt" in
CURED the latter coOlly.
:. You can see for yourself, sir" the
second answered.
"There you're in error" replied the
other; Il am tOt6iy blind"
The wounded man. no had 10y this
time revived little, and his second,
looked at the>tranger in establishment.
There was no visible defect in his e.
gans of visions ; but There was fiXlty
of look-that " bending of eyes on va
cancv-" which so Enthusiastically
evinces the absence OF sight.
"Who are you? aud what is your
motive in seeking this encounter >"
the Mijor family murmuref.
First, are YOU i'm condition TO re-
new It ?I' inquired The stranger.
s~Fhere is no need-I am dying"
When have told you who | am,
the stranger resumed, you will scarce
require my motive for what | have
done No wonder you have forgotten
James Merton" he continued, for
he is greatly changed 10 doubt"
The dying man started and groaned
but / have net forgotten you.
Richard Buford, nor the injHries you
have done me. 4 cherised daughter,
the pride of my eyes, and the Joy OF
her mothers heart, YOU enticcd from
her home. deceived by a sham mar
riare and then abandoned her TO die
Of a broken heart. Ny son and only
child, in rash attempt to