The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1883-08-04


Few people knew what sort of par
ty it was driving down the shell-road
bordering Bayou St. John. Two car
ing to the island formed there by bifur-
men alighted. Savalle, well-known
character here forty years ago, accom-
panied Riviere, and old DR.. Rocquet
was with Delagrave. The seconds had
met previously and arranged every
thing. Delagrave, as he stepped from
the carriage, looked furtively around
for the cases of pistols, but, seeing none,
he was a little disconnected. After
walking about a hundred yards from
the carriages, the party stopped and the
doctor motioned them to approach
closer. When they had done so, he
called them by name and said: "Gen-
tlemen, we have discussed this matter
nearly all of last night, and both M.
Savalle and myself feel satisfied that
there is no solution to the differences
between you but the death of one. The
world is so formed that both can not
live in it at the same time" The two
men nodded. Therefore" the Doctor
went on, ''we have agreed to make the
arbitrament as fair as it is possible, and
let Fate decide" He took out black
morocco case, and from it produced a
pill-box containg four pellets. Zone oil
these, said he, sscontains positively ia
tai dose of prussic acid, the other three
are harmless. We have agreed that
each shall swallow two of the pills, and
let Destiny decide" Savalle inclined
his head, and said, as the representa-
tive of Riviere, he agreed.
The two men were pale, almost blood
less, but not nerve trembled or mus
Gle contracted.
Gentlemen" said the Doctor, ''we
will toss for the first pill" Savalle
called out ''tails,'' as the glittering gold
piece revolved in the air. 1t fell in a
bunch of grass, the blades of which, be-
ing separated, showed the coin with the
reYered head of the Goddess of Liberty
uppermost. I'M. Delagrave, you have
the first choice" said the Doctor
Reposing in the little box the fouT
little globes seemed the counterpart OF
each other. The closest scrutiny would
not develop the slightest difference.
Nature alone through the physiological
alembic of the human stomach. can tell
of their properties. In one there rests
the pail of eternity, the struggle for
breath, the failing of sight, the piano.
rama of years rushing in an instant
through the mind, the silence and peace
of sleep for evermore, the ceremony, the
burial case, the solemn cortege and the
close, noisome atmosphere of the grave.
All these were contained in one of these
little pellets. Delagrave having won
fhn OhA 1fo a.sd a
took pill. With calmness which
was frigid he placed it on his tongue
and with a cup of claret, handed him
by the Doctor, washed it down.
'And now, M. Riviere,' said the
Doctor. Riviere extended his hand and
took pill. Like his opponent he swal-
lowed it.
The two men stood looking one an.
other in the face. There was not q
culver to the eyelid, not twitch to g
muscle. Each was thinking of himself
as well as watching his adversary. One
minute passed. Two minutes passed
Three. Four. Five. t'Now, gentle
men," said the Doctor, in solemn tones
it is time to make the final drawing
This was the fatal choice. Boil
men were ready for the cast of the die
Savelle tossed the gold piece aloft, an6
; the Doctor cried out: Heads. >
, Heads" it was, and Delagrave took Q
: pill from the box, leaving only one
| ''Now,n said the Doctor, ''the remain
, ing one is for you. ''You will please
swallow them together"
The two men raised their hands a
!, the same time and deposited the pills
!, on their tongues and took draught O
: claret.
One second passed, and there was nj
: movement. Two seconds, and neither
!. stirred. Then-"Good God!" ex
: claimed Riviere, his eyes starting from
: their sockets. He turned half round t.
:, the left, raised his hands above hi
= head and shrieked a long wild shriel
. that belated travellers even to this da,
y say they heard on the shell road, nea
: the island. He fell prone on the earth
. and, save nervous contraction of tn
. muscles of the face, there was NJ
: movement.
Delagraye took him by the hand a
he lay on the damp grass, and said, il
. tender voice: 81 regret it, but it wa
= to be. y
The funeral was one of the larges
n ever seen IN New orleans, and 10
= weeks the cafes were agog with tn
: story of the duel. Tho beautiful widow
. Mortified at the affair, would never Sc
!. Delagrave afterward, and is now
, happy grandmere on Bayou Lafourcht
:, having married wealthy planter tw
years after the fatal event.
Delagrave, weighed down with th
trials of an unhappy life, wrinkled an
,. lettering, strolls along Canal street {
: warm afternoons, assisted by a negr
a servant. Having bare competency
- he has never actually suffered frol
10 want; but he shows evidence of gre;
s mental anguish. The sight of pill
~ ~ box makes HIM shudder, and the tas
J, - of claret will give him CONFUSION
- - IN. D. Times-Dena0crdt
~, TIL Al-yo,. p. L