Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-15
Miscellaneous.
4 CREOLE DUEL.

ton at that time. and between boating
parties on the waters of the bayou and
card reunions over the tables of old
Barleduc's gambling saloon out there, the
jeunesse doree of New Orleans of that dav.
managed quite comfortably to while away
many leisure moment. Possibly no two
young gentlemen enjoyed the quiet hospi-
tality of Barbecue more than Alphonse
Riviere and Henri Delagrave in fact most
of their afternoons were spent in the dim
Weighted 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 pan. who
mechanically handled the little ivory ball
in roulette, called out the numbers in a
repressed voice as il he feared to disturb
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 subdued way. On the floor a
bright covering of mating hushed the
footsteps, while at the windows dark yell
low curtains let in only just enough light
for the illumination of the gaming tables.
The place was the resort of large num-
Der of gentlemen, and on some occasions
plantations and negroes have changed
hands over the green cloth OF this then
famous establishment.
Riviere was dashing fellow of %. with
large estate in the parish Of st. James.
and a round account in the old Union
Bank. He had passed successfully
through the Ecole Polytechnique in France
had taken bout in Algeria and returned
to L, uisiana as accomplished and COM
panionable gentleman as one could wish
He was fond OF his horses. his wine and a
quiet game of cards. Refined IN his man.
ner and dignified in his department he
was a warm iavorite wherever he went,
and his entry into old Barleduc's establish
ment was always the signal for cordial
greeting from all who might be present.
On this particular June afternoon
Riviere, with the activity of a gymnast,
leaped from his buggy in front OF a saloon,
and throwing the reins to the negro SER
want, told him to drive the horse into the
shade OF the pecan trees in the yard.
Switching a delicate, ivory-headed cane
with nervous, Ijerkey motion. he crossed
the broad gallery, and unannounced enter
ed the gambling room. Most OF the
players were wrapped in attention to
their game. but one there was who turn
ed his head at the entrance OF the last
conner. This was DelaSfave. He felt
that al crisis was at hand, but even with
this knowledge he did not elude its COM
ing. That morning he had been accepted
AS the betrothed lover of Nine. Celestin
one of the most beautiful and wealthy
widows of the lower coast, and Riviere
I.I EN,-t la
devoted admirer, was left to nurse hi.
disappointment as an unsuccessful sutton.
Riviere had had no hesitency in letting the
world know that he wanted to marry the
coquettish little widow and, further, he,
in very plain way, gave people the in
formation that he did not want interlopers
paving their devoirs at the same shrine
These matters are hard to arrange exactly
as one would wish. One finds much diff
Guilty in closing all avenues of approach
for love is not unlike light which the pho
tographer in his dark room finds so much
difficulty in keeping out. 1t steals in un.
der doors. through nail holes and even
down chimney. At least so it had been
the case at Nine. Celestin's. for jealous
and watchful of rivals as Riviere was
Delagrave had made the conquest under
the very eyes of the enemy, and the widow
had that day informed the unsuccessful
sutton.
Riviere was very pale as he approached
the group of men around the table What
with the yellow light shining through the
curtains and his bloodless appearance. he
seemed rather CHASTITY corpse than liv.
ing body, but there was motion and voice
in him, which soon dispelled such an illu
sion.
As he neared Delagrave, the latter
turned to confront him. when Riviere
with voice that seemed to come from be
hind the door of tomb, said, "Delagrave
we cannot live on this globe together; il
is not large enough
Delagrave, quietly putting his cigarette
in cold and impressive tone replied
Yes; you annoy me. 1t would be bet
ter If you were dead"
Riviere's face flushed, and reaching for
ward laid the back of his hand gently
against Delagrave's cheek. The gam,
was at once interrupted. The slap. which
was so light it did not even crimson the
young mans cheek, was enough to cal
for blood: and leaving the house h,
sought an intimate friend; to him h,
opened his heart. 1t must be a battl,
! ottrance Such was the enmity be
tween himself and Riviere. only lif'
could wipe it out. The old doctor, VIII,
had grown up. it might be said. on thu
field. shrugged his shoulders and remon
strated, but at last acquesced, aud said
Very we'll, then; it shall be to thu
death"
Few people knew what sort of part,
it was driving down the shell-road board
ering Bayou st. John. Two carriages
stopped Just on the bridge leading to tn
island formed there by the bifurcation o
the bayou and four gentlemen alighted
Savalle, well-known character here A
years ago. accompanied Riviere, and oil,
DIR. Rocquet was with Delagrave. Tn
seconds had met previously and arrange,
everything. Delagrave, as he steppe'
from the carriage looked furtively arounc
for the cases of pistols. but. seeing none
| he was little disconnected. After walk
ing about 100 yards from the carriage. thu
party stopped and the doctor motione'
them to approach closer. When they has
done so, he called them by name and said
Gentlemen. we have discussed this mat
ter nearly all of last night, and both NJ
Savalle and myself feel satisfied that Their
| is no solution to the differences between