Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-06-07

spected to see that no secret protect
i've device was employed by either.
The ground was measured, and the
men placed. There was a marked
contrast between the two in more
respects than one. 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 nothing
malignant in it. The Major, on tn (
other hand, glared fiercely at his foe.
and seemed even to grudge the few
moments of life yet eked out to him.
"Were he my father, would kill
him." he answered audibly, to some
whispered expostulation Of his secondy
who was evidently touched by the
old mans venerable appearance. Il
The pistols were put into the hands
of the principals, and giving of th"'
word, exclaimed:
"Gentlemen, are you ready9"
'Ready," both answered. ]
Still the old man moved not, apa
did he direct a single glance at his
adversary. His eyes were fixed j
front. His attention was one of wrap
attention. He seemed like one list
ening intently. J
''Firew r
Without changing the direction j
his gaze or other movement than that
of his arm, which rose with the pre-,
cision Of a nicely adjusted machine,
the old man brought his pistol to The
level of his enemy's breast. For az
instant he held it there. Still tile
same appearance of eager listening',
The Major was in no hurry. He
could afford to take his time with a
man who held his pistol at random,
without looking thitherward. He was
determined to make sure work. III
his ball missed his adversary's heart
even a fraction of an inch, he would
never make any pretention to duel
ing again.
The sharp report of the strangers
pistol was followed by a convulsiye
jerk of the Majors arm, causing the
discharge of his weapon far wide Of
the mark, while, he, staggering a few
PAGES backward, fell heavily to the
ground.
"Conduct me to him. said the old
man to his friend.
The latter took his principals arm,
and led him to the PROSTATE form OF
the Major, whose second, kneeling by
his side had torn open his garments,
exposing to view the fatal wound in
his breast, made by the strangers
bullet.
your friend seriously hurt ~ the
latter inquired coolly.
"You can see for yourself, sir" the
second answered.
"There you are in error" replied
the other. III am totally slind.",
The wounded man, who had by this
time revived little and his seconds
looked at the stranger in astonish-
ment. There was no visible defect in
his organs of vision but there was
fxity of look-that bending his eyes
on vacancy-which so Enthusiastically
evinces the absence of sight.
"Who are you and what s'you1
motive in seeking this encounter p
the Major family murmured.
"First, as you are in cohaitibn te
renew it 2" inquired the stranger.
"There is no need-1 am dying"
"When l have told you who l am,
the stranger resumed, "you will no
require my motive for what l ,hav,
done. No wonder, you have forgot
ten James Merton,' he continued
''for he is greatly changed, no doubt
The dying man started and groanet
bitterly.
"But / have not forgotten you,'
Richard Buford, nor the injuries 20,
have done me. A cherished daughter
the pride of my eyes, and the JOY o
her mothers heart, you enticed from
home, deceived by a sham marriage
and then abandoned her to die of !;
broken heart. My son, an only re
naming child, in a rash attempt t,
avenge his sisters wrong, fell victim
to your accursed skill. You eve1
robbed him of the ordinary chance
of combat, unequal as they woul,
have been, by encasing your cowardl,
body in concealed armor. The los
of both our children unsettled M
wife's reason, and she died in a mad
house. Could have found you Their
l would have given you no chance 70
your life, but valiant as you hav
protested to be, and cowardly as 70
are you evaded me. Yet knew W
should some day meet; and regis