The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1879-06-26
A BLIND MANS DUET.

A BLIND MANS DUEL
Major Ruford, called, by the way o.
eminence, the Major was the mos
noted duelist OF the day. A dead shot
perfect master Of fence. aud in hi
enmities utterly relentless, his nam,
had become terror to all who knew
/ him. a'e1 zeise 80 isff!Ta'' ssiy
In the midst Of knot of admirins
friends ono day, the Major was dis.
cussing his last affair." and complac.
emily explaining how II came that he
mortally wounded his adversary, In
stead Of killing him on the spot, when
one Of two gentlemen standing within
hearing, suddenly a5 vanced and struck
him in the face. The spectators stood
aghast. What could have tempted the
stranger to rush thus smadly 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, those
brief remnant he was ready to cast
away 80 recklessly. 80 .soltast
The Major was astenished The very
audacity of the act struck him with
amszement. a s
IL this provocation sufficient, or
must repeat it?' inquired the assail-
ant. .e
! The Majors first impulse was to re-
turn blow for blow, But fierce and
violent as were his passions, no school
ed himself to complete mastery over
them, and moments reflection told
him how bootiess, under the circum-
stances, would be public brawll The
indignity he had received would admit
of but one reparation, aud that he de-
termined to lose no tune in seeking.
'The insult issufficient,' he answer.
ed with forced cslmness. 'Oblige me
by naming . fiiend.'' -. 80. -
And the. two strangers took their
leave together. aWoaAEH glas.i
At sunrise. on tho following morn.
ing, the principals and their seconds
made their appearance on the ground
selected. No one else was present.
not even . surgeon. The Major, in
his own past experience, never had
needed one and his opponent, it was
plain, was careless of the consequence.
There was no necessity for delay.
The parties we're to fight with pistols,
at ten PAGES, the, combat to continue
until one or both had falien.s7
One condition had been insisted on
by the stranger, which called an indig-
nant blush to the Major's cheek, as. it
seemed to imply an imputation upon
his honor. though he submitted TO It
with tho best grace he could. It was
that before placing the combatants,
khe bodies Of both should be inspected,
to sec that no secret protective de.
vice was employed by either. .h
Tho ground was measured, and the
men placed. There was a marked con-
trast between the two In more respects
than that of years. The old man erect
and motionless - q statue, his whiten-
cd locks floating in the breeze, never
once looked at his antagonist, though
his side was turned. His face was
stern and determined, but nothing ma.
lignant in it. The Major on the other
hand glared fisrcely at his foe-seem-
ed even to grudge him the few mo-
ments Of life yet eked ont to him.
Were he my father. would kill
himp he answered, audibly. to some
exp ostulation Of his second
who was evidently touched by the old
mans venerable appearance .ssb
The pistols were put into the hands
Of the principals, and the giving of the
word explained: 9T.. -
5 Gentlemen, are you ready?
Ready both answered. Ia.a e.
Still the old man moved not, nor
did he direct single glance at his ad-
His eyes were fixed in front.
His attitude was one Of rapt attention.
He seemed like one listening intent
". ts5< ..s 80. - ss3a...e.
Sire + asata ,is.aH .sgss... /
Without changing the direction Of
his gaze or other movement than that
Of his arm, which rose with the pre-.
:ision Of . nicely adjusted machine,
hc old man brought his pistol TO the
evei Of his enemy's breast, For an
nstant he held itthere. Still the came |
appearance Of eager listening. g;iesi
The Major was in no hurry. He
.ould afford to take his time with .
nsn who held his opistol at random,
at all docking whitherward.
He was determined TO NAB sure work
IF his ball missed his adversary's
leart, even q fraction of an inch. he
tould never make any pretensions to
kill again. The sharp report of the
tranger's pistol was followed by \
:onY Yuisive jerk Of the Major's arm,
ausing the discharge OF his weapon
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