Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-08-10
A SINGULAR DUEL.

emlneDce, the Major, was tht
most noted duelist of the day. A
dead shot, a perfect master of
tence, and in his enmities, utterl,
relentless, his name had become
a terror to all who knew him.
In the midst of knot of admir-
ing friends, one day, the Major
was discussing his last affair,
and complacently explaining how
it came that he mortaIly wounded
bis adversary, instead of killing
him On the spot, when one oftwo
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 ready
to cast,away SO recklessly.
The Major was astonished. The
very audae3ty of the act struck
him with am " -lEent.
"Is the prCvoc ttion sufficient,
Or must | repeat it2' inquired his
aSsailant.
The Majors first impulse was
to return bow for blow. But
fierce and violent as were his pas
sions, he had schooled himself to
complete mastery over them, and
a moments reflection told him how
bootless, under the circumstances,
would be a public brawI. The
indignity he had received would
admit of but one reparation, and
that be determined to lose no time
in seeking.
"The insult is sufficient" he
answered, with forced calmness.
"Oblige me by naming friend
for your own care MOTTO whom
may | refer one of my own p
"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
their leave together.
At sunrise on the following
morning, the principals and their
seconds made their appearance on
the grounds selected. No one
else was present--not even a sur
geon. The Major, in his own
past experience, never had needed
one, and his opponent it was plain.
was careless of the consequences.
There was no necessity for de-
lay, The preliminaries had been
arranged. The parties were Ito
fight with pistols, at ten PAGES,
the combat to continue until one
or both had fallen. Que condition
had been insisted on by the stran-
ger, which called an indignant
blush to the Majors cheek, as it
seemed to imply an imputation
upon his honor, though he sub
mitted to it with the best grace
he could. 1t was, that before
placing the combatants the bod
les OF both should be inspected to
see that no secret protective de-
vice was employed by either.
The ground was measured aud
the men placed. There was
marked contrast between the two
in more respects than that of
years. The old man, erect and
motionless as 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
had nothing malignant in it. The
Major, on the other hand, glared
fercely at his foe, seeming even
to grudge him the few moments
Of life yet eked out to him.
"Were he my father, | would
kill him = be answered audibly,
to some whispered expostulations
of his second, who was evidently
touched By the old mans vener-
able appearance. ~
The pistols were put in the
hands of the principals and the
giving of the word explained.
Gentlemen, are you readyP"
"Reody," both answered.
Still the old man moved not,
nor did he direct a single glance
at his adversary. His eyes were
fixed in front. His attitude was
one of rapt attention. He seemed
like one listening iutently.
"Fire !"
Without changing the direction
OF his gaze, or other movement
than that of his arm, which rose
with the precision of anicely ad.
justed machine, the old man