The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-09-22
belongs to the record of Madrono Hol.

OicoA IAo oAA Woo oAeAuJ Cnhli Ou'
that was from the mist which arose
along the banks of the river. As early
as siA o'clock the designated ground
"a little opening In the Madrono
grove-was occupied by Culpepper
Starbottle, Colonel Starbottle, bis sec
ond, and the surgeon. The Colonel
was exalted and excited, albeit in
q rather imposing, dignified way,
and pointed out to the surgeon the ex-
cellence of the ground, which, at that
hour, was wholly shaded from the
sun, whose steady stare is more or
less discomposing to your duellist. The
surgeon threw himself on the grass
and smoked his cigar. Culpepper.
quiet and thoughtful, leaned against o
tree, and gazed up the river. There
was a strange suggestion of picnic
about the group, which was heightened
when the Colonel drew a bottle from
his coat-tails, and, taking prelimina-
ry draught, offered it to the Others.
"Cocktails, sir" he explained with
dignifed precision. "a gentleman,
sir, should never go without 'em.
Keeps off the morning chill Ire
member going out in '58 with Hank
Boompirater. Good God, sir. the man
had to put on his overcoat, and was
shot in It. Fact"
But the noise Of wheels drowned the
Colonel's "reminiscences, and a rapidly
driven buggy, containing Jack Fol-
insbee, Calhoun Bungstarter, his Sec
ond, and Bill Masters, drew upon the
ground. Jack Folinsbee leaped out
gaylY. 81 had the jolliest work to get
ready without the Governors hear
ing" he began, addressing the group
beforehim with the greatest volubility.
Calhoun Bungstarter touched his arm,
and the young man blushed. 1t was
his first duel. -...
"If you are ready, gentlemen said
Mr.. Bungstarter, 1--we had better
proceed to business. I believe that no
apology will be offered or accepted.
We may as well settle prelimiDaries
at once, or I fear we shall be inter-
rupted. There is q rumor in town that
the Vigilance Committee are seeking
our friends, the Starbottles, and I be-
lieve, as :their fellow-countryman, /
have the honor to be included in their
warrant.n
At this probability of interruption
that gravity which had hitherto been
wanting fell upon the group. The
preliminaries were soon arranged and
the principals placed in position.
Then there was silence.
Toa spectator from the hill, impress
ed with the picnic suggestion, what
might have been the popping Of two
champagne corks broke the stiffness.
Culpepper had fired in the air. Colo
mel Starbottle uttered a low curse.
Jack Folinsbee sulkily demanded an
other shot.
Again the parties stood opposed
to each other. Again the word was
given, and what seemed to be the
simultaneous report of both pistols rose
upon the air. But after the interval of
few seconds all were surprised to
see Culpepper slowly raise his unex-
ploded weapon and fire 1t harmlessly
above his head. Then, throwing the
pistol upon the ground, he walked to a
tree and leaned silently against 1t.
Jack Folinsbee flew into paroxy SIN
0f fury. Colonel Starbottle raved and
swore. Mr.. Bungstarter was properly
shocked at their conduct. Really,
gentlemen, If Mr.. Culpepper Starbot-
tie declines another shot, do not see
how we can proceed"
But the COlOnel's blood was up and
Jack Folinsbee was eqally implaca-
BILE. A hurried consultation ensued,
which ended by Colonel StarbOttle
taking his nephew's place az principal,
Bill Masters acting as second, afcc Mr..
p,v, ocf q rtor xuho doo1;noI oil frrthor
connection with the affair.
Two distinct reports rang through
the Hollow. Jack Folinsbee dropped
his smoking pistol, took step for
ward, and dropped heavily upon his
face.
In a moment the surgeon was at his
side. The confusion was heightened
by the trampling of hoofs, and the
voice of the blacksmith bidding them
flee for their lives before the coming
storm. A moment more and the
surgeon, looking up beheld only the
white face of Culpepper bending over
him.
"Can you save him ?" '--
L cannot say. Hold his head a mo-
ment, while run to the buggy"
Culpepper passed his arm tenderly
around the neck Of the insensible
man. Presently the surgeon returned
with some stimulants.
"There, that will do, Mr.. Starbottle,
thank you. Now, my advice is to get
away from here while you can. I'll
look after Folinsbee. Do you hearw
Culpepper's arm was still round the
neck Of his late foe, but his head had
dropped and fallen on the wounded
mans shoulder. The surgeon looked
down and, catching sight of his face,
stopped and lifted him gently in his
arms. He opened his coat and waist
coat. There was blood upon his shirt.
and q bullet hole in his breast. He
had been shot unto death the first fire.
Atlantic Monthly for September.