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

Il.
Yesterday, intently gazing into
show-window ON Canal street, a feeble,
white-haired old gentleman recalled
memories of tragedy which, in the
hurly-burly of life, seems to have passed
into oblivion.
In 1S41, outside of the city proper,
there was, perhaps, no more delightful
place of resort than at the Bayou Bridge
Ii was par excellence the great subur-
ban attraction at that time, and between
boating parties on the waters of the
bayou and card reunions over the tables
of old Barledue's gambling saloon out
there, the .jeuRessc d0ree of New Or
leans of that day managed quite com
fortably to while away many a leisure
moment. Possibly no two young gen
tlemen enjoyed the quiet hospitality of
Barbecue more than Alphonse Rlviere
and Henri Delagrave; in fact, most of
their afternoons were spent in the dimly
lighted saloon of the old gamester, at
whose shrine all the card-loving ele-
ment Of the city paid homage.
There was quiet air about the place
that seemed almost religious, and even
the parchment faced old man, who me-
chanically handled the little ivory ball
in roulette. called out the numbers in a
repressed voice, as if he feared to dis
turb the quiet. The faint s.elick'' of
the "chips'' as eager players dallied
with them, was perhaps the loudest
sound to be heard there, and even that
came to the ear in subdued way. On
the floor bright covering of mating
hushed the footsteps, while at the win
dows dark yellow curtains let in only
Just enough light for the illumination Of
the gaming tables.
Riviere was dashing fellow of twen-
ty-two, with large estate in the Parish
of st. James and round account in the
old Union Bank. He had passed sue
cessfully through the Ecole Polytech-
nique in France, had taken bout in
Algeria, and returned to Louisiana as
accomplished and eompanionable q
gentleman as one could wish to chat
with He was fond of his horses, his
wine and quiet game of cards. Re
fined in his manner and dignilied in his
department, he was a warm favorite
wherever he went, and his entry into
old Barleduc's establishment was al
ways the signal for a cordial greeting
from all who might be present.
On this particular June afternoon
kiylere, with the activity of gymnast,
leaped from his buggy in front of the
saloon, and throwing the reins to his
negro servant, told him to drive the
horse into the shade of the pecan trees
IN the yard. Switching a delicate, ivory
headed cane with a nervous, ierky mo-
uon, he crossed the broad gallery and,
unannounced, entered the gambling
room. Most of the players were wrapped
IN attention to their game, but one there
was who turned his head at the en-
trance of the last conner. This was
Delagrave. He felt that crisis was at
hand, but even with this knowledge he
dld not strive to elude its coming. That
morning he had been accepted as the
betrothed lover of Nine. Celestin, one
oi the most beautiful and wealthy wild
ows of the lower coast, and Riviere.
who had been for the past year her
most devoted admirer, was left to nurse
ms disappointment as an unsuccessful
sultor. Riviere had had no hesitancy in
letting the world know that he wanted
10 marry the coquettish little widow.
"nu' lurtner, he, in very plain way,
gave people the information that he
9lu not want interlopers paving their
~ eiAO chlilC HIflut. r These IfldI-
eIs are hard to arrange exactly as one
would wish. One finds much difficulty
~ closing all avenues of approach, for
l9ye Is not unlike the light which the
photographer in his dark room finds so
nluch difficulty in keeping out. 1t
svcsis IN under doors, through nail holes
'sne even down the chimney At least
- - y mad been the case at Mmee Celes-
.iil ;. Tor jealous and watchful of rivals
~ hlviere was, Delagrave had made the
conquest under the very eyes of the
Enemy and the widow had that day so
inioImed ~! the unsuccessful suitor.
hlviere was very pale as he ap-
iioachea the group of men around the
tspie; what. with the yellow light shin
lug through the curtains and his blood
isss appearance, he seemed rather a
nastiy corpse than living body, but
mere was motion and voice in him,
"ilich soon dispelled such an illusion.
, AS ne neared Delagrave, the latter
i..I rulned 70 confront him, when Riviere,
ttI %isn voice that seemed to come from
uenlnd the door of tomb, said: ''Dela-
saanNe, we can not live on this globe to-
se1ner; II Is not large enough.
o,.o .Deiagrave, quietly putting his cigar
Iyes N.Y.; cold and impressive, tone re-
Iu. ies; you annoy me. Itwould
- ne.ter Il you were dead.i'
nlYere face flushed, and Seaching
,oaMaru ne laid the back of his hand
sensly sy against Delagrave's cheek. The
sia isne was at once interrupted. The
c,;p' which was SO light it did not even
s.ins9n the young mans cheek, was
,bo bhoggn to call for blood, and leaving
nc mouse he sought an intimate friend;
70 him he opened his heart II ,,,,,s, he