The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-03-06
a MIDNIGHT DUEL
On Top Of the Blue Ridge-A R0-
mantle story OF the Late War.
ROM the Athens GA Banner.

WI VI ~ 49,
From the Athens GA Banner.
"Tliere is no doubt" SAID an old
soldier yesterday, "that many sin
guldr things occur us we journey
through life" and he looked as
though memory was struggling with
some sad feature of his existence.
He sighed as he continued 81
remember itaS though it WAS yester.
day the march of HIPS corps along
the winding Shenandoah up to the
famous Luray Gap. Who could
ever forget that marchP The road
winding with the beautiful river
aud oyer-hung with the majestic
chain of Blue Ridge Mountains,
while across the crystal water the
magnificent valley, with the cEarm-
ing cottages dotting the bounteous
land with white-like balls of SNOW
robed in flowers. But the most en-
gaging aud lovely objects paled in
insignilicauce beside the peerless
women of this blessed country, and
YOU may well believe that when the
camp was struck the soldiers lost
no time in making their way to the
surrounding cottages. Soon the
music of the violin was beard, and
the shutting OF feet kept time to
the music, while, for ii time, the
soldiers face was lit with old time
10y. AT one of these cottages the
belle Of the valley reIgned supreme,
While several Southern soldiers WED
with each other IN paying homage
to the queen. Among otHerS were
TWO Young soldiers-oHe from Geor-
gia aud the other from MiSsiSsip
pI-whO were especially energetic
in their attentions, and so marked
had this become that those present
watched the play with constantly
increasing interest, fully believing
that both exhibited a case Of love
at first sight. The surmise on the
part of those present was only too
true, as the tragic event which fol
lowed fully proved. The Georgian
seemed to have the lead on the
Mississippian, aud when the dan.
GERS were called to take their places
he led the belle of the valley TO "A
place in the set. At this point,
the MissiSSippian VAS seen to az.
prOach the couple aud heard to
claim the lady's hand for the dance.
An alteration ensued, but both
were cool, brave S0ldiers-twO OF
the best shots in the army-whO
did not believe in a war OF words.
So it was ended with the Georgian
dancing with the lady, aud the sic
niiicaut remark of the AIiSsi>SIppian
that i will G you alter this set
''Wheu the dance was over the
Georgian was seen to seek the Mis-
sissippian, and together they each
called a friend trom-the crowd and
departed. When outside both
claimed that an insult had been
passed, which could only be wiped
out in the blood OF the 9th +, aud
that a duel to the death should be
arranged at once. Af5ll moon wis
just appearing above the tOps of
the surrounding forest, aud | tell
you this talk OF blood IN the silence
of the night was anything bet
pleasant. No argument, however,
would avail with these men. 81, 1t
was arranged that tie duel should.
tabe place On top OF the Bhhe
Ridge, near the center Of The road
that passes Though the gap that
the weapons should be pistols at
fifteen PAGES, aud 70 fire al or be
tween the werGs 'Une, two, three
firing to continue until one or both
were dead.
''lhe point was reached, the
ground measured Off, AMI the men
took their positions without Il trpm
or. TIE moon she'd ITS pale light
down on "a scene never to be for
gotten. \ moment Or two aud the
silence was broken by the signal : !
Gone, two, three" At the word
"one0 the report Of Two pistols
raug out on the midnight air. but
the principals maintained their re-
spective positions. The GeOrgian's
left arm was seen to drop closer to
his side, but the MisSiss,ppian was
immovable, ana still held his pistol
to the front. Again a pistol shot
was heard, coming from the Gror-
gian, aud the MissisSippian still
held his position, bHt be did not
FIRE, The Georgian protested that
he had not come there TO murder
him, but no answer was returned.
The MissisSippian'S second APP
preached his principal and found
hun dead, shot through the eye on
the first discharge of the weapons.
Death, it seems, had been instan
taneOuS, SO much so as not even To
disturb his equilibrium. may for
get some things, but the midnight
duel on the top Of a spur of the
Blue Ridge, with its attendant cir.
cumstances, is not one OF them.0
81 had just learned something of
law Mr.. Cleveland said, "whcn
tue people OF Buffalo insisted that
l should leave my business aud
become mayor. l didn't want TO
be mayor, aud l suppose it was in
a half resentful spirit that / made