Saint Mary's beacon., 1873-09-18

During his trial for high treason n
Richmond. in 1907. Theo6osia, then the
brilliant leader Of society in the most sris.
toeratic city of the South-,he wife Of Jo-
seph Aston. distinguished citizen oi
South Carolina--by her devotion. sagaci-
ty and influence, powerfully aided her
fathers defence. In the darkest hour OF
that memorable legal drama she evin:ed
her deep affection in language as heroic
as it was beautiful. '.My vanity" she
said. would be greater if I had not been
placed 60 near you; AND yets my pride is
our relationship. / bad rather not live
than not to be the daughter Of such a
man"
a few years after the Richmond trial,
which resulted iu victory for Burr. The
odosia met a fate which is still enyeloped
in gloom and mystery.
AZ the close of the year 1912 she sailed
from Charleston in vessel bound for New
York. for the purpose of visiting her faith
er. Her husband was the Governor of
South Carolina. Though he provided cy-
erything conducive for her safety aud COM
fort which wealth and influence could COM
ma1d. the vessel never reached its desti-
nation, was never heard from after leav-
ing Charleston harbor. At last all hope
ended; the certainty that Theodosia was
dead came home to them. aud Aaron Burr
was bereavcd as few have ever been be-
reaved-left to life all winter, war
within himself to rage. Still the proper
ties Of mind stern. uncomplainips and
calm. profound. scheming. subtle, ami
powerful intellect sustained him: and
while the musings of his solitude. became
votivc Offering TO the dead--a rightful
homage to the memory-he retained su-
periority among men and orilliancy at the
bar. lie was endowed oy nature with the
power of gaining asc:ndency over those
with whom he was brought into contact.
Whenever he desired to please he could
exercise andishments which none but
Aaron Burr possessed. Then he had at
traction: for all-smiles for the silent,
deep attention for the loiuacious. badi-
mage for the gay. sentiment for the grave,
and romance for the young.
Colonel Burr was compelled to remain
at Utica for several days. During his stay
he divested himself of that re,icence and
GOODNESS which usually characterized his
intercourse with strangers, aud become
general favorite with the members of the
bar who were present.
One afternoon q number Of LAWYERS
amused themselves by shooting at tar
get with pistols. As the exercises con-
tinued long after the adjournment of the
court for the day, many lawyers who were
attending court assembled to witness the
sport. Among the interested spectators
was Col. Burr. While keenly watching
the effect of each shot. two young lawyers
who had been engaged in shooting ap-
preached him.
"Colone! Burr" said one of them, 1--WE
should be very happy to witness your skill
at targct-shnoting
my skill at target-shooting How
came you to suppose | had any skill as a
marksman 2 said Burr, fixing his pierre
ing eye on the speaker
"Iou are an old soldier Colonel Burr.
and we have always heard you spoken of
as the best shot in America said the
young man.
1T is many years since was a soldier,
and have had but little practice with the
pistol since leaving the army. Times of
peace do motor, at least should not
furnish many occasions for the use of that
weapon, since those occasions often have
lasting regret. But as your invitation
TO join your sport was so respectfully Civ
en-, | vii! accept it. At leas: shall
shoot once at the target That will be
sufficient for my unpractised hand. lie,
me see your pistols -
Several we're brought him. Selecting
one Of them. he balanced it a moment in
his hand. sighted across the barrel, then
taking his stand at the line from which
each contestant fired. he raised his arm
aud presented the pistol.
1t was momen, of intense. almost dra-
matte interest. Before the Spectators, pis-
tol in hand. stood Aaron Burr-,he very
arm ou,strctched which on the heights of
Weehaken. laid the illusirous Hamilton
cold in death. The eye that was now
sighting the pistol had cleaned along a
dreadful weapon in mortal combat-had
beheld his foe sink at his feet. bathed in
blood. But quick fash. a sharp report
broke the spell that held tue spectators-
the bullet had sped. Aaron Barr had sen,
it home TO the centre Of the target. A
faint smile passed over his features as an
exclamation Of establishment announced
the unerring shot. Handing the weapon
TO its owner. he turned and left the Geld
~itheu. ut'ering a word.