The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1877-08-16
F, CALIFORNIA, DUEL.
by CLINT PARKHURsT

\. CALIFORNIA DUEL.
e..
- by CLINT PARKHURST
/ remember the day well. 1t was
two years ago this spring. a small
party of us went over to San Rafael
from San Ffancisco,, to visit the en-
Of the Second brigade. We |
knew many or the Aoflicers of one of
the regiments, and had every reason TO
an agreeable time. Little
did we dream or the disastrous cOnse-
,luences that were to ensue. Some
writer has said that no circumstance
il sotrfviai butthat mOInentous results
NAV spring from, it. This Is true in
the strieteet sense. Life IL not conf
edy. as. an ancient philosopher con-
tended, but can more justly be termed
"A tragedy. BY the simplest incidental
train of events may be started. the IL
nal end of which cannot always be
surmised. Too much care cannot be
exercised i'm all the acts Of our lives, In
GLIDING those of apparently the most
insignificant character. f
AS have said, we went over to the
encampment! Our welcome was cor.
dial i'm the extreme. Our party con-
sisted of George Hamilton, Ned Grey,
Gilruth and myself. Hamilton had
lately graduated from the Bellevue
medical college, OF New York city and
was n young man OF the nnest anu
loftiest principles. :, ..,-.,-c,
zeal science, and q most promising one.
took a great fancy to him, and intro.
duced him to all my friends that
could bring him in contact with; and
whenever concluded he was study
ing too hard I used to prevail upon
him to take turn into the country
for a day or two. Having plenty OF
leisure myself, / was the better situa-
ted for rpreaching relaxation to him.
1t was through my persuasiOns that he
went over to San Rafael, and this fact
often caused me sad but unavailing
reflection. -..,
Ned Grey was the very opposite OF
Hamilton In demeanOr. HamlltOn
viewed Everything from a grave and
serious, standpoint. Ned on the con.
trary was gay, witty, vivacious, and
the prince of light companions. Yet,
undern cath his jolly demeanOr there
was a sterling manly character. he
had no profession, but led q careless,
bachelor life, ON the income OF small
property bequeathed to him by q
deceased pneie. He met Hamilton
that mOfnipg for the nst time. IN
troduced them on the deck of the Terry
steafiieras we were leaving San Fran
ciSc0-.- sstss -,
tafion drill, and when the exercises
we're over. were invited to the tent OF
captniss Brown, who produced several
bottles of champagne, and quite little
festiyity ensued. L drank very little
and Hamilton scarcely slipped his, bu
GilfiithLand Grey entered fully int
the spirit of the occasion. The con
yersation became rather unrestrained
and passed idly from one subject u
another, until the name of an actres
was mentioned who was then perform
ing subordinate role in one Of tn
theatres of the city, but whose beaut.
ofperson commanded more attention
than her talents,
mark concerning her, coupled with al
inuendo that was neither proper o
polite. was surprised that he shoul'
i,se such language under any circum
stances, but attributed.it to the cham
pagne he had partaken too freely
and was about to forget the matter en-
tirely, when my attention was arrest
ed by, q deadly pallOr Oyerspreadin
Hamilton's countenance. Rage, hatret
Armament, were all scOmmingled 1
the-riance ! he gave the thoughtlei
Ned.rwho, as i'll fortune would have !
was unaware Of the mischief he ha
done, and repeated the offensive r.
ssccandfef!p exclaimed Hamilton
springing up with frantic energy, an
the next moment Ned was stretcne
upon the floor of the tent, almost II
scnsitIe from a blow the other ha
iThe suddenness Of the incident q
most deprived us Of speech, but IN q
instant Gilruth and one of the Office
lifted Ned from the ground, and
prasped Hamilton by the arm az
forced him from the tent. ID
'sThe scoundrel," exclaimed Hami
ton, to. speak. of my sister In such
Your sIstsr,uI repeated.
,.sYes; my sister" he answered. "Tl
young lady he spoke so contemplation
" of isHu6glstW ~my only sister, Lii
mvseIf6ie Is poor, but O. purer, q bett4
a nobler giri does mot exist. 1 W
have .his hearts blond. the 1nsole
villSb What am for y not to p'
teofuy sister 20 ~ -.
NOV could he know aherwgk 20
81 t1ee asked, endeav9fIng ~ gal
'%Hii} l,Ss lis the wor,s-tlres mo
c8ward Ir;tv was tile exeit ted reply
slIall pRk1edye this ground till 4 hG
stdlAfeU m TO Fragments. The
musS15e .p0fe Of tlds. Twill tea
him q fesso6lie will never forget. Nj
of his style are too ready with the
ISLANDERS. They speak shamefully
those they know nothing OF" 4
at was very unfortQnate 4 bega
at was brutal, said Hamilton, Z
have I bean 60 outrage0usly insult'
M vou think I will pass over such
affair? Neverl i must have compl'
Vengeance and that Immediately.
saw that he was fully excited. /
previously quiet ways had deceiy
me. / never believed him capable
such. reckless passion, and saw plair
that catastrophe impended II I
not get him ont OF the camp. j
tl,ers scab was passing, and i hailed
md bv the most strenuous entreat
md agood deal Of actual force o
ceedeiS IN getting him into 1t.
were, dflvent out to the Rose-val
road, and were soon whirling along
Sap Rafael. stopping at one of
hotels, 1 finally induced Hamilton
rstIrs tUa private parlor with me, :
atIsast compose himself until we Col
lear from the remainder Of the pa
and decide upon some mode Of adj,
X{@he difficulty, forthat serious
Alarming one was on our hands i ,
ToE fully convinced, 81
while lettering At > frpnt wind
spubing q cigar and g1UQs9aiiy reflect
nfhe lamentabIe termifiaticn or
6nf's excursion, I was erattfed 70 !,
~ 4 passing carriage the ne ana e
% 8Il, ns4.ou. ln 'ssSS ' s6 s3si
8ad no doubt hut that NJ W.,
or the number. WHnou' oA'''