The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1883-07-12

salu, on the field, shrugged his shoul-
ders and demonstrated, but at last ac-
quiesced and said: Every we'll, then; it
shall be to the DEATH
Few people knew what sort Of a par
ty it was driving down the shell-road
bordering Bayou st. John. Two car
riages stopped just on the bridge lead
ing to the island formed there by bifur-
cation of the bayou, and four gentle
men alighted. Sayalle, a well-known
character here forty years ago, accom-
panied Riviere, and old DR. Rocquet
was with Delagrave. The seconds had
met previously and arranged every
thing. Delagrave, as he stepped from
the carriage, looked furtively around
for the cases of pistols, but, seeing none,
he was a little Disconnected After
walking about hundred yards from
the carriages, the party stopped and the
doctor motioned them to approach
closer. When they had done so, he
called them by name and said: "Gen-
tlemen, we have discussed this matter
nearly all of last night, and both M.
Savalle and myself feel satisfied that
there is no solution to the differences
between you but the death of one. The
world is so formed that both can not
live IN it at the same time The two
men nodded. "Therefore, = the Doctor
went on, 1--WE have agreed to make the
arbitrament as fair as it is possible, and
let Fate decide" He took out black
morocco case, and from it produced q
afaf al an, 81
these, said he, contains positively fa-
tai dose Of prussic acid, the other three
are harmless. We have agreed that
each shall swallow two of the pills, and
let Destiny decide Savalle inclined
his head, and said, as the representa-
tive of Riyiere, he agreed.
The two men were pale, almost blood
less, but not a nerve trembled or mus
Gle contracted.
"Gentlemen," said the Doctor, '.wo
will toss for the first pill.' Savalle
called out ''tails," as the glittering gold
piece revolved in the air. 1t fell in a
bunch of grass, the blades of which, be-
ing separated, showed the coin with the
revered head of the Goddess of Liberty
uppermost. I'M. Delagrave, you havo
the first choice" said the Doctor.
Reposing in the little box the four
| little globes seemed the counterpart Of
each other. The closest scrutiny would
not develop the slightest difference
Nature alone through the physiological
alembic of the human stomach can tell
of their properties. In one there rests
the pail of eternity, the struggle for
breath, the failing of sight, the pano-
rama of years rushing in an instant
through the mind, the silence and peace
of sleep for evermore, the ceremony, the
burial case, the solemn cortege and the
close, noisome atmosphere of the grave
All these were contained in one of these
little pellets. Delagrave having won
the first choice, stepped forward and
took pill. With calmness which
was frigid he placed it on his tongue
and with cup Of claret, handed him
! by the Doctor, washed it down.
"And now, M. Riviere,n said the
Doctor. Riviere extended his hand and
took pill. Like his opponent he swal-
lowed it.
The two men stood looking one an
other in the face. There was not a
quiver TO the eyelid, not twitch to a
muscle. Each was thinking of himself
as well as watching his adversary. One
minute passed Two minutes passed.
Three. Four. Five. "Now, gentle
men," said the Doctor, in solemn tones,
II is time to make the final drawing"
This was the fatal choice. Both
men were ready for the cast of the die.
Savelle tossed the gold piece aloft, and
| the Doctor cried out: "Heads. 7"
Heads it was, and Delagrave took a
pill from the box, leaving only one.
'Now," said the Doctor, ''the remain
ing one is for you. "You will please
swallow them together
The two men raised their hands at
the same time and deposited the pills
on their tongues and took draught Of
claret.
One second passed, and there was no
movement. Two seconds, and neither
stirred Then-''Good Godr' ex-
claimed Riviere, his eyes starting from
their sockets. He turned half round to
the left, raised his hands above his
head and shrieked long wild shrek
that belated travellers even to this day
say they heard on the shell road, near
the island. He fell prone on the earth,
and, save a nervous contraction of the
muscles of the face, there was no
movement.
Delagrave took him by the hand as
he lay on the damp grass, and said, in
a tender voice: u regret it, but it was
to be.
The funeral was one of the largest
ever seen in New Orleans, and for
weeks the cafes were agog with the
story of the duel. The beautiful widow,
Mortified at the affair, would never see
Delagrave afterward, and is now a
happy grandmere on Bayou Lafourche,
having married a wealthy planter two
years after the fatal event.
Delagraye, weighed down with the
trials Of an unhappy life, wrinkled and
tottering, strolls along Canal street of
warm afternoons, assisted by negro
servant. Having bare competency,
he has never actually suffered from
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