The Opelousas courier., 1883-09-01
DUEL WITH PILLS.

. /.
Yesterday, intently gazing into a
,show-window on Canal street, a feeble,
White-haired old gentleman recalled
memories of a tragedy which, in the
hurl,, bury of life, seems to have pass
d into oblivion.
In 1S41, outside of the city proper,
there was, perhaps, no more delightful
pace Of resort than at the Bayou
Bridge. It was, par excellence, the
great suburban attraction at that time,
and between boating parties on the
waters. of the bayou and card reunions
oversthe tables of old Barleduc's gamb-
ling saloon out there, the ~jeunesse do
rec of New Orleans of that day man
aged. quite comfortably to while away
many a leisure moment. Possibly no
twoyo1ng gentlemen enjoyed the quiet
hospitality Of Barbecue 0 than
Alphonse. REVERE and Henri DALAI
grave; in fact, most of their afternoons
were spent in the dimly lighted saloon
of the old gamester, at whose shrine
all the ~cardloying element Of the city
paid homage.
There was a quiet air about the place
nat seemed almost religious, and even
the parchment-faced old man, who me-
chanicalIy handled the little ivory ball
inroulette, called out the numbers in a
suppressed voice, as If forced to dis
turb the. quiet. The faint "click' 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 a subdued way. On
the floor a 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 a dashing fellow of twen-
ty-two, with a large estate in the par
ish Of st. James and a round account
in the old Union bank. He had pass
ed successfully through the Ecole Poly
technique In France, had taken a bout
in Algeria, and returned to Louisiana
as accomplished and companionable a
gentleman as one could wish to chat
with He was fond of his horses, his
wine and q quiet game of cards. Re
fined In his manne and dignifed in
his department, he was q warm favor
lite wherever he went, and his entry
into old Barleduc's establishment was
always the signal for a cordial greeting
from all who might be present.
On this particular June afternoon,
Riviera, with the activity Of a gymnast,
lcaped from his buggy in front Of the
saloon, and throwing the reigns to his
negro servant, told him to drive the
horse into the shade Of the pecan trees
IN the yard. Switching D delicate, ivory
headed cane, with a nervous, ierky mo-
tiof, he crossed the broad gallery and,
anannounced, entered the gambling
room, Most of the players were wrap
ped in attention to their game, but one
there was who turned his head at the
entrances Of the last conner. This was
Delagrave. He felt that a crisis was
at hand, but even vita this knowledge
hcs did not strive to elude its coming.
Ihat morning he hadb beer accepted rs
the betrothed lover Of Nine. Celestin,
one Of the most beautiful and wealthy
widows of the loves coast, and Riviere
who had been for the past year her
most devoted admirer, was left to nurse
lis disappointment a. an unsuccessful
suitG.. Riviere had no hesiteRcy in let
ting the world know that he wanted tc
marry the coquettish little widow, and
.urther, he, in a very plain way. gave
cople the information that hi
did not want interlopers paying theil
devoirs at the same shrine. These mat
ties are hard to arrange exactly as one
woald wish. One finds much Difficult
ty in closing all avenues of approach
for love is not unlike the light which
the photographer In his dark room
finds SO much difficulty in keeping out
1t steals in, under doors, through mai
holes and wen down the chimney. A
least 50 it had been IN the case of Mime
Celestin. for Jealous and Watchful d
rivals as Riviere was, Delagrave hat
made tbs conquest under the very eye
Of the enemy, and the widow had tina
dag so informed the unfortunat'
suitor.
Riviers was very pale ~ he ap
p~roashed The group of men around til
! ible What with the yellow Ugh
shining through the curtains and hi
ess appearance. he seemed rathe
LXM