Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-03
A CREOLE DUEL.

In lS4l, outside of New Orleans, there
was, perhaps, no more delightful pace
Of resort than at the Bayou Bridge. II
was par ercellenee the great suburban
attraction at that time, and between
boating parties on the waters of the bay
on and card reunions over the tables OF
old Barleduc's gambling saloon out there,
the jeunesse doree of New Orleans of that
day, managed quite comfortably to while
away many leisure moment.
Possibly no two young gentlemea en-
joyed the quiet hospitality Of Barledac
more than Alphonse Riviere and Henri
Delagrave in fact most of their after
Moons were spent in the d'mly-lighted sa-
loon 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-
chanically handled the little ivory ball in
roulette, called out the numbers in re-
pressed voice as If he fear 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 a
subdued way. On the floor bright COW
ering of mating hushed the footsteps,
while at the windows dark yellow cur
tains let in only just enough light for the
illumination Of the gaming tables. The
place was the resort Of large number Of
gentlemen, and on some occasions plan
,atioas and negroes have changed hands
over the green cloth Of Il S then famous
establishment.
Riviere was dash'ng fellow of twen-
ty-two, with large estate in the Parish
of St. James, and a round account in the
old Union Bank He had passed sue
cessfully through the Ecole Polytechnique
in France, had taken bout in Algeria
and returned to Louisiana as accomplished
and companionable gentlmean as one
could wish. He was fond of his horses,
his wine and quiet game Of c-rds. Re-
fined in his manner and dignifed in his
department, he was warm favorite wher-
ever he went, and his entry into old Bar
leduc's establishment was always the sig
nal for a cordial greeting from Ill who
might be present.
On this particular June afternoon Ri
Were, with the activity Of gymnast.
leaped from his buggy in front Of sa-
loon, and throwing the reins to the ne
gro servant, told him to drive the horse
into the shade of the pecan trees in the
yard. Switching delicate, ivory.headed
cane with a nervous, jerky motion, he
crossed the broad gallery, and unan-
nounced entered the gambling room.
Most of the players were wrapped in at
tention to their game, but one there was
who turned his head at the entrance of
the las. conner. This was Deleg We.
He felt that crisis was at hand, but
even with this knowledge he did not elude
its coming. 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, who bad been for the past year
her most devoted admirer, was left to
nurse his disappointment as an unsuc>ess-
full suitor. Riviere had had no hesitancy
in letting the world know that he wanted
to marry the coquettish little widow and,
further, he, in very plain way, gave
people the information that he did not
want interlopers paying their devoirs at
the same shrine. These matters are hard
to arrange exactly as one would wish.
One finds much difficulty in closing all
avenues of approach, for love is not un-
like light which the photographer in his
dark room finds so much difficulty in
keeping out. 1t steals in under doors,
through nail holes and even down CHM
ney. At least so it had been the cese at
Nine. Celestins, for jealous and watch
full of rivs's as Riviere was, Delagrave
had made the conquest under the very
eyes of the enemy, and the widow had
on that day informed the unsuccessful
suitor.
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 ghastly corpse than liv-
ing body, but there was motion and voice
in him, which soon dispelled such an =
lusion.
As he neared Delagrave, the latter
turned to confront him, when Rieyiere,
with voice that seemed to come from