Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1883-12-20
A DUEL WITH PILLS.

|.
Yesterday, intently gazing into show
window on Canal street. feeble, white
haired old gentleman recalled memories
of a tragedy which, In the hurly -burly Of
life, seems to have passed into oblivion.
10 1S47. ouseide of the city proper,
there was, perhaps, no more delightful a
place of resort than at the bayou bridge,
1t WAS par excellence the great suburban
attraction at the time, and between boat.
irg parties on the waters of the bayou,
and card reunions over the tables of old |
Bsrleduc's gambling saloon out there, the
jeunesse doree of New Orleans of that |
day managed quite comfortably to while |
away many a leisure moment. Possibly |
no two young gentlemen enjoyed the |
quiet hospitallties OF Barbecue more than |
Alphonse Riviere ana 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 element 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-
chemically handled the little ivory ball in
roulette called out the numbers in re-
pressed voice, as II he feared to disturb
the quiet. The faint ''cliek" of the
''cbips' 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 a
bright covering of mating hushed the
footsteps while at the windows dark
yellow curtains let in only just enough
light for the illumination OF the gaming
lable.
Ryiere was a dsshing fellow Of %
with large estate in the parish Of 81
4mes aud q round account in the Old
UIon bark. He had passed successfully
| through tue Ecole pulytechhique II
France, and taken bout III Algeria, auo
returned TO Louisiana as accom- pIished aud
| enmpGnionahle gentleman as one could
| wish to chat with. He was fond of hiA
uurses, his wine, and quiet game OF
| cards RI fined III his manher and dignl
fled in his department, he was warm
tavorte wherever he went, and his entry
into old B4rleduc's establishment was
always the the signal for cordial greet
ing fiom all who might be present.
Ga this particular jane afternoon Ri
Were, with the activity of Rymnast
leaped from MS buggy in front of the
saloon, and, throwing the rein5 to his
negro servant told MIN to drive the
horse inio the shade of the pecan trees Ill
the yard. Switching q delicate ivory
headed cane with o nervous, jerky motion,
he crossed the broad gallery, and, unan-
nouuctd, entered the gambling room.
Most of the players were wrapped Ill
attention to their game, but one there WAS
who turned his head at the entrance of
the last conner This was Delagrave. II
felt that crisis was ct hand, but even
with this <uowltdge he did not strive to
elude its coming. That morning he bad
been accepted as the lover of Mad.
c 4lestin. one of the most beautiful and
v ealtby widows of the lower coast and
Rlviere, who had been for the past year
her most devoted admirer. was left tc
nurse his disappointment as an uusuccess
full suitor. Riviere had had no hesitancy
J 10 letting the world know that he wanted
to marry the cuquettish little widow, aud
fur her, he, in very plain way, gave
; people the information that he did moi
3 want ipterlopers paying their devoirs nj
the same shrine. These matters are hare
/ 10 arrange exactly rs one would WISH. On,
finds much difficulty in closing all avenue,
= OF approach, for love is not unlike the
light which the photographer in his dars
= room finds so much difficulty in keeping
o out. 1t steals in under doors, through
n nal-holes and even down the chimney
I At least 80 it had been the case at Mad
h C ,lestiL's, for Jealous and watchfnl O
< rvils as Rviere vas Delagrave had mad
thu conquest under the very eyes of tn,
= enemy. ana the widow had that day 8,
y Informed the unsuccessful suitor.
R,viere was very pale as he approached
a the group of men around the table. VIVA
I with the yellow light shining through TIL
= curtains and his bloodess appearance h.
= seemed rather CHASTITY corpse than liv
a ing body, but there was motion an(
:, voice in him, which soon dispelled sucl
an illusion.
As he nesred Delagrave the latter turnei
= TO confront him, when Riviere, with
o voice that seemed to come from behint
= the door of tomb said "D .lagrave, W
u can not live on this globe together it /
not large enough"
: D-lsRrava, quietly putting his cigarette
In a cold ana impressive tone replied
} Eyes, you annoy me. / would be bette
Z II you were dead -
Rviere's face flushed, and, reach.n
l. forward he laid che back OF his han,
IS gently against DelHgraves cheek II
, game WAS at orcs interrupted. Tie SLAP
r which WAS so light 1t did not crimson tt
is young mans cheek, was enough to q.
Ii for blood, al d leaving the house be -ough
I- au intimate friend u him be opeue
70 his heart. 1t must be battle outrauet
r Such was the enmity between himself III
"A Rivitre, only life could wipe it out In
old doctor-who bad grown up, it migL
II be said, on the tisId-shrugged h
4 shoulders and demonstrated, bur ut lai
=. acquiesced and said Very we'll then
r.. II shall be t. the death"