Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1883-07-21
previously and arranged everything. Del.

looked IuEtlFejv 6ECUUu iOE Tue cases ol
pistols, but seeing none, he was q little
Disconnected. After walking about loo
yards from the carriages, the party stopped
aud the doctor mo,ioned them to approach
closer. When they had done so, he called
them by name and said. "Gentlemen, We
have discussed this matter nearly all of last
night, and both NJ. Savalle and myself feel
satisfied that there is no solution to the
differences between you but the death OF one.
The world is 80 formed that both cannot
live in it at t ie same time" The two men
nodded Therefore," the doctor went on,
we have agreed to make the a%rbi.rament
as fair as it possible, and let Fate decide.
He tool out a black morocco case and
from it took a pill box containin: four
pellets. One Of these said be, contains
a positively fatal dose Of prussic acid, the
other three are harmless. We have agreed
that each shall swallow two Of the pills, aud
let Destiny decide" Savalle bowed his
head, and said, as the representative OF
Riviere be agreed.
The two men were pale, almost bloodlesa,
but not a nerve trembled or muscle con
,racted.
"Gen'leman,' said the doctor, we will
toss for the first pill" Savalle called cut
tails as the glittering gold piece revolved
in the air 1t fell in a bunch of grass, the
blades of which, being separated, showed
the coin with the revered head of the
Goddess Of Liberty uppermost. IN. Delat
grave, you have the first choice" said the
doctor.
Reposing in the little box the four little
i globes seemed the counterpart of each other.
The closest scrutiny W ulI not develop the
slightest difference Nature alone through
-(the physiological alembic of the human
fstomach can tel. Of their propricties. In
one there rests he pail of eternity. the
struggle for breath, the fail ng OF sight, the
panorama of years rushing in an Instant
through remind, the silence and peace Of
s fep for evernOre, the ceremony, the burial
case, the solemn cortege and the close,
noiscme atmosphere of the grave All these
were contained in one of these little pellets.
Dtlagrave having won the first choice, step
ped forward and took a pill. With a calm-
ness which was frigid be placed it on his
tongue and with a cup of clare: handed him
by the doctor, washed it down.
And now NJ Riviere," said the doctor.
R,uiora ow%opScI lio bo,l ,.I <oDI, Ill
Like his opponent he swallowed it.
The two men stood looking one another in
the face. There was not a culver TO the
eyelid, not a twitch to a muscle. Each was
thinking of hiplself as well as catching his
adversary.&One minute passed, Two
minutes passed. Three. -Four. Five
Now, gentlemen" SAID the doctor in solemr
tones, it is time to make the fual draw
ing"
This was the fatal choice. Both men
were ready for the cast of the die. Savalle
tossed the gold piece aloft, and the Doctor
cried out, Heads" Heads" it was, and
Delagrave took a pill from the box, leaving
only one. Now" said the Doctor, the
remaining 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 a draught of claret.
One second passed, and there was no
movement. Two seconds, and neither
stirred. Then-"Good Godl' exclaimed
Riviere his eyes starting fyom their sockets.
He turned half around to the left, raised his
hands above his head and shriehed a long
wild shrek that belated travellers even to
this day say they hear on the shell road
near the island.
He fell prone to the earth, and, save a
nervous contraction of the muscles Of the
face, there was no movement.
Delagrave toox him By the hand as he lay
on the damp grass, and said, in a tender
voice Il 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 Delaerave afterward, and
is now a happy grandmere on Bayou La
tourche, having married a wealthy planter
two years after the fatal event.
Delegrave, weighed down with the trial
of an unhappy life, wrinkled and tottering.
~strolls along Canal street of warm after
moons, assisted by d negro servant. Having
a bare competency, he has ne\er actually
suffered from want; but be shows evidence
Of great mental anguish. The sight Of a
pill-box makes him shud1er, aud the taste
of claret will give him convulsions.-New
. Orleans Times Democrat.
A Curious but Peasil q Custom.