River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-01-24
FACING A DUELIsT.
Row a Texan Killed Ais Man and
Won Bride.

l was strolling through Madison
Square IN the direction OF famous res
taurant, where | was engaged to dine
with a party of friends who wished to
welcome me home after my long sojourn
abroad. The recollection of an unhappy
experience tinged my thoughts with sad
ness. however. in spite of the prospect
of an excellent dinner and much good
fellowship.
During the dinner related the de-
tails of drama in real life in which L
myself had been an actor while staying
in Paris The story was as fol ows:
When had been in Paris a few weeks
made the acquaintance of a young and
handsome fellow, captain III the
French army We soon became init
mate, and De Yaudran, the captain, de-
sired to be presented to q cousin OF
mine, who lived with her mother, Mrs.
Marsden, in Paris.
Twill mention here that Mrs. Marsden
was an American whose husband hal
died but three months after their mar
rage. When Leontine her daughter
was born, she lett America and took up
her residence in Paris, where she bad
remained until the events which in
tend to record occurred.
NV cousin Leontine was beautiful
girl of type rarely seen outside OF the
poetic fancies of novelists. A form per
feet in symmetry and face expressive,
fair, and tender were combined IN this
lovely woman. Her charm, too, of man
ner and of mind as quite equal to her
grace of person. There was in her char
acter that combination so rarely seen in
q woman-simplicity and knowledge.
was therefore little astonished at
De Vaudran's request for presenta-
ton, and Immediately gained my aunts
consent.
The young people met and there soon
sprang up between them an attachment
which ripened into love, a love so pure
that it could only exist where man as
noble as De Vaudran and woman as
good and true as my cousin Leontlne
were concerned.
In time, they became engaged, and
De Nandran was the proudest, hapFlest
man in Paris.
A short time after the engage ncnt was
made known the Captain and attended
the opera together, and during an entr'-
acte we went into the foyer to prone
made. On our return TO the hall De NaG-
drans seat was found to be occupied by
a man who refused to relinquish It.
De Vaudran pushed his claim so Jar RS
to order the man to give mp his seat, at
the same time showing his ticket
This person then resorted to insulting
language, and challenge from the Cap
tain was the consequence.
The combatants met at an early hour
the next morning, | acting as De Vau-
aere pistols. During the preparations
The Captains antagonist, a famous shot
and bully OF the FIRST order, asked him
where he wished to be shot, adding that
he would teach such fellows not to an
nov gentlemen in future.
De Vaudran made no reply to this, but
took his position like the brave fellow
he was.
The word was then given and the Cap
tain fell dead, shot through the heart.
When poor Eeontine heard of her
lovers murder-ii | may use the express
ion--she Was so stricken with grief that
a severe illness ensued. Her physician
advised r trip to Naples for complete
change of scene, hoping thus to bring
about q dlversion-the best remedy IN
such cases. While there Leontine fell
into morbid state which threatened to
destroy her reason, but good fortune
finally favored the poor girl and she
partially recovered her former health
and spirits, though never entirely.
Thus my story ended. At intervals,
while | was speaking, | had observed
the eager attention OF young man who
formed one of the party at the welcom-
ing dinner.
This young man was stranger to me,
and !, doubtless, should never have
tho9ght more OF his peculiar interest in
my story had he not Suddenly and mys-
~ a No
a few days later | then learned that
he was young Texan, Philip Walden
by name, of great inherited wealth, and
that he mad figured prominently IN SO.
ciety for year or so.
The Texan and all the circumstances
connected with his flight had passed from
my mind, when, one morning about SIX
months later, received a letter from
from Paris containing an invitation to
the marriage ceremony Of Philip Wal
don and Leontine Marsdon, with an ac-
companving letter which contained
tie following explanation Of the surpris-
ing news:
Walden, after hearing my sad story at
the welcoming dinner, had resolved IN
a spirit of adventure to 20 10 Paris. and
track, if possible, young De Vaudran,s
murderer. Philip was a famous shot,
ana bIDUAUL IE 6DNtNA "
himself against this celebrated duellst.
He succeeded so we'll in his search that
one evening. after an entr'uce OF the
onera, this noted luelist and viyeur found
his seat occupied by a gentleman who
refused to give 1t up. Words followed,
ending in an insult TO 40 less a Inan
than Philip Walden, who resented 1t by
a challenge.
They met the following, morning, and
Philip, during the preliminaries, took
occasion TO ask his adversary where ne
wished 70 be shot, adding that ne
would teach such fellow not
TO trihe with gentleman.
At this M-turned deadly pale bat
made no reply, The 9ord was given,