Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-05-13
Deadion His Feet.

II remember as though it we're yes
terday," said the old soldier, "the
march of Hills corps along the wind
ing Shenandoah up to the famous
Luray Gap. Who could ever forget
that march? The road winding with
the beautiful river and overhung with
the majestic chain of Blue Ridge
Mountains, while across the crystal
water the magnificent valley lay with
its charming cottages dotting the
beauteous land. But the most en-
gaging and lovely objects paled into
significance beside the pearless women
of this blessed country, and you may
we'll believe that when the camp was
struck the soldiers lost no time in
making their way to the cottages that
surrounded them. Soon the mu-
sic of the violin was heard and the
shuffling feet kept time to the music,
while, for a time, the soldiers face
was lit with old time joy. At one Of
these cottages the belle Of the valley
reigned supreme, while several South
ern soldiers We'd with each other in
paying their homage to the queen.
Among others we're two young soldiers
--one from Georgia and the other
from Mississippi-who were specially
energetic in their attentions, and so
marked had this become that those
present watched the play with in
creasing interest, fully believing that
both exhibited case of love at first
sight. This surmise on the part of
those present was only too true, as the
tragic events which followed fully
proved. The Georgian seemed to
have the lead on the Mississippian
and when the dancers were called to
take their places he led the belle Of
the valley to a place in the set. AT
this point the Mississippian was seen
to approach the couple and heard to
claim the lady's hand for the dance
An alteration ensued, but both were
cool, brave soldiers-two of the best
shots in the army-who did not be-
lieve in war of words. So it was
ended by the Georgian dancing with
the lady and the significant remark
of the Mississippian that i will see
you after this SET
"When the dance was over the
Georgian was seen to seek the Miss
issippian and together they each call
ed friend from the crowd and de-
parted. When outside both claimed
that an insult had been passed, which
could only be wiped out in the blood
of the other, and that duel to the
death should be arranged at once.
A full moon was just appearing above
the tops of the surrounding forest,
and | tell you this talk of blood in
the stiffness of the night was any
thing but pleasant. No argument
however. would avail with these men,
so it was arranged that the duel
should take place on the top of the
Blue Ridge, near the center of the
road that passes through the gap
that the weapons should be pistols at
fifteen PAGES, and to fire at or between
the words 'one, two, three firing to
continue until one or both we're dead.
"The point was reached, the ground
measured off and the men took their
positions without a tremor. The
moon shed its pale light down on a
scene never to be forgotten. A mo-
ment or two and the silence was
broken by the signal, one, two, three
At the word 'one' the report of two
pistols rang out on the midnight air,
but the principals maintained their
respective positions. The Georgian's
left arm was seen to drop closer to
the side, but the Mississipian was
immovablc and still held the pistol to
the front. Again pistol shot was
heard coming from the Georgian and
the Mississippian still held his position,
but he did not fire. The Georgian pro,
tested that he did not come there to
murder him, but no answer was re-
turned. The Mississippian's second
approached his principal and found
him dead, shot through the eye on
the first discharge Of the weapons.
Death, it seems, had been instanta-
neous, so much 50 as not even to dis
turb his equilibrium. may forget
some things, but the midnight duel on
the top of spur of the Blue Ridge
with its attendant circumstances IS
not one of them. m."--Athens (Gn.)
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