Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-21
Gales ano Skfifbts.
A MYSTERIOUS DUEL IN iz7e.
FROM AN OLD MANUSCRIPT.
Continued from ycsterdsy.)

" Dutlnttu lfou tcsiciu>.-y
The EagIishman. as soon as he had
sheathed his sword, cast one steady look
at his fallen foe. and then turning, gath
cred up his clothes under his arm. and at
once retreated through the gap in the
hedge, followed by one of the officers ;
while the other-the tall one-knelt down
by the now PROSTATE form Of the foreigner,
first, apparently, TO make sure that he
was dead: and secondly. To search for
somefhi q seemingly hidden inside the
breast Of his shirt. At length ne pulled
out what looked like some papers, tied
with ribbon. which he thrust INTO his
pocket. and hastily followed his compan-
ion, leaving the dead man just where he
fell. Immediately atterward. heard the
door Of the carriage violently shut to :;
and the vehicle was rapidly driven away
not past the inn, but around through the
village.
All this time, must honestly confess.
was so deeply interested in what, accord
ing to the military teaching of that day, !
considered perfec -ly fair and honorable
proceeding between two gentlemen, that
never for moment thought had a right
TO interfere or cause interruption by rails
lHV tU ihC iittiN i"''-
soon as the party had retired through the
gap in the hedge. rushed from my hid
ine-place in the arbor, and kneit down by
the fallen duelist, to ascertain if he really
was dead. He was lying on his back,
with his arms out; and | could see. boy
though was. that he was indeed dead.
therefore ran back to the inn, and at once
awoke nv father, telling him in few
hasty wol DIS what had happened, and beg
ging him to get up instantly. The Colonel.
without a minutes delay, put on his
dressing gown and descended to the bowl
ing green; and after carefully examining
the body, satisfied himself beyond doubt
that the man was really dead. We then
reused the landlord; and. ordering lights
to be lit in the little coffee-room, which
contained large table, my father direct
ed the hostler to 90 at once and fetch the
nearest medical man, and the constable of
the village Then, with the assistance of
the landlord, he carefully raised the
corpse and carried it indoors, TO await the
arrival of the representatives of surgery
and law while followed with the coat,
vest and hat Of the deceased. The medi-
cal gentleman soon made his appearance ;
ard. after regular and very careful ex-
animation, it was found that the poor fell
low had been run completely through the
heart, the sword coming out-as had seen
at his back The hemorrhage had been ex-
cessve las a matter of course his clothing
was entirely saturated. and large pool
of blood remained in the garden. The
deceased was slightly built, but of very
good proportions. His face was singular
h. al,
black eyebrows that gave altogether IA
hard and stern appearance to the features
His hair was fashionaby dressed,
powdered, of course, and tied behind in
a cue. We came to the conclusion that
he was either Spanish or Portuguese, for
the few words had heard him speak
clearly showed by his accent that he was
not English.
When the constable arrived my father
proposed to search the pockets, to ascer-
tain if possible the name of the deceased
First, large silk purse was found, con
tanning large sum of money in gold
and notes; next. a splendid gold watch
chain and seals, one of which bore /;
crest with the initial ''G'' under it ant
my father on opening the watch discov.
cred it was of French make, and bore the
name of the most celebrated Paris manu-
facturer of that day. In the pocket wer,
gold snuff-box, also bearing the singl,
initial CO.. in brilliants on the lid within
wreath of myrtles beautifully enameled
heavy old-fashioned gold pencil-case; t.;
small gold pouncet-box or vinaigrette
beautifully chased; very fine cambri,
handkerchief: and a pair of white kit
gloves. On each hand he wore Il mas
sive ring that on the right set with dia
monds, and the one on his left with rubies
His right hand, when he was lifted from
the ground, still grasped an elegant sill
yer mounted rapier, such as was thei
usually carried by men of fashion. Tn,
weapon. like the watch, bore the name o
a Paris maker. His linen was of the fines
description. marked. like the snuff-box
with the initial C. and his lace crava
was secured by brooch set with brilliants
while bis knee and shoe buckles were o
elegant chased gold. The coat ant
brooches were of fine light-blue cloth
richly laced with silver; and his Ions
waist-coat was of embroidered white satin
The large and jauniy cooked hat was als'
laced with silver. and bore the name of
Paris halter. This was all he could dis
cover. Had he possessed card-case o
pocket-book or papers of any Sort the,
must have been removed by the tall Off
Ger when he took what looked like packe
from the bosom of the dead man, as al
ready related.
At the request of the constable. m
father took charge of the valuables an,
clothing. and ordered that functionary b
communicate with the nearest magistrat
and the coroner, as soon as possible. 5
well were these orders carried out, tina
by eight o'clock in the morning the mag
istrate arrived. He was a fine genial ma
of about 80. colonel of militia. an nd
mirable specimen OF thorough Englis
gentleman. He received my father in tn
most courtly manner; ard this curiou
incident of the Mysterious encounter or
iginated an acquaintance between then
which ripened into lasting lifelon;
friendship.
PART ii.
Colonel Dacre took the deepest interes
Al. 4. l. l. 4