Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-07-06
Misfe1Ianeans
A SINGULAR DUEL.

Major Buford, called by way OF emf
nence, the Majof,' was the most noted
duelst Of the day. A dead shot. per-
feet master of fence, ard id his enmities,
utterly relentless, bis name had become a
terror to all wig knew him.
In the midst of knot of .admiring
friends. one day, the Major was discuss
ing his last affair." and eomplacently ex
planning how it came that he mortally
wounded his adversary, instead of killing
him on the spot, when one of two gentle
men 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 "a te2 He was al 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 ready to cast
away so recklessly.
The Major was astohished. The very
audacity Of the aetstruck him with amaz-
ment.
is the provocat;on sufficient. or must
| repeat it inquired the assailan..
The Majors first impulse was to re-
turn blow for blow. But fierce and VIC
lent as were his passions, he sehooled
himself to complete mastery over them
and moments reflection told him how
tsotless, under the crcumsta noes. wou Id
be o public brawl. The indiguity he
had received would adm it of but one
reparation, and that he determined tt
lose no time in seeking.
The insult is sufficient, he answered
with forced calmness. 'Oblige me by
naming friend-for your own care 1 dc
motto whom may [ refer one of my
ownT
This gentleman. replied the other
resuming the arm of bis companion
will return here in an hour, to confer
with any ono you may designate.
And the two strangers took their leave
together
At sunrise. on the follow ing morning
the principals aud their seconds made
their appearance on the ground &c lected
No one else was present-not even sur
geon. The major, in bis osp past exps
rience. never had needed one and hi
opponent. it was plain. was care less o
the consequences.
There was no necessity of delay. The
| preliminaries had been settled. The par
ties were to 6ght with pistols, at ten pa
ces, the combat to continue until one o
both had fallen. One condition had bee,
insisted on by the stranger. which callst
an indignant blush to the Majors cheek.
as it seemed to imply an imputation upol
his honor, though he submitted to it Will
she best grace be could. 1t was, tina
before placing the combatauts the bodie
of both should be inspected. to see tina
no secret protective device was employee
by either.
The ground was measured, and tn
men placed. There was marked con
trast between the two in more than tia
of years. The cid man erect and motion
less as statue, his whitened locks float
ing liz the breeze. never once looked o
his antagon list, though his side was turn
ed. His face was stern ana determ ined
but had nothing malignant in it. Th
Major, on the other hand glared fcrceI
at his foe. seem ing to grudge him III
few moments Of life yet eked out to hin
Were be my father, | would kill him
he answered audibly, to seme whispere
\ expostu latious of his second, who was es
IDENTIFY touched by the old mans vsncrs
BILE appearance.
| The pistols were placed in the hands I
the principals. and the giving of til
word explained.
! Gentlemen arc you really 2
ssi|k Y. i., not, Dor, nor d