The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-11
NO. 20.
"A Midnight Duel.

"Thcrc is no doubt" said an old SOL
der yesterday, that many singular
things occur as we journey through life,"
and he looked as though memory was
struggling with some sad feature of his
existence. He sighed as he continued:
Il remember as though it were YES
terday, the march Of Hills CORPS along
the winding Shenandoah up to the fa-
nous Luray gap. Who could ever for
get that marcia :? The road winding with
the beautiful river, and overhung with a
majestic chain Of Blue Ridge mountains.
while across the crystal water the mag
nlficcnt valley, with its charming Gotta
yes dotted the bounteous land with
white-likc balls Of snow robed in flow
ers. But the most engaging and lovely
objects palcd into insignificance beside
the peerless women Of this blessed
country, and you may well believe that
when the camp was struck that the sol.
dlers lost no time in making their way
to the surrounding cottages. Soon the
music OF the violin was heard, and the
shuffiing feet kept time to the music
while CIR time, the soldiers face wae
lit up with old time joy. At one of these
cottages the belle Of the valley rcigncd
supreme, while several soldiers We'd
with each other in paying homage to the
queen. Among others were two young
soldicrs-onc from Georgia and the
other from Mississippi-who were spe-
clally energetic in their attentions, and
so marked had this become that those
present watched the play with increas-
ing interest, fully believing that both ex-
hlblted case Of love at first SIGHT.
This surmise on the part Of those present
was only too true, as the tragic event
which followed fully proved. The Geor-
gian seemed to have the lead on the Mis-
sissippian, and when the dancers were
called to take their places, he led the
belle of the valley to 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 eusued but both were cool,
brave soldiers-two Of the best shots in
the army-who did not believe in q war
of words. So twas ended by the Geor-
gian dancing with the lady, and the sig
nificant remark Of the Mississippian that
81 will see you after this act"
When the dance was over the Georgian
was seen to seek the Mississippian, and
together they called each friend from
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 other, and that a 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 81
lcnce Of the night was anything but
pleasant. No argument, however, would
avail with these men, SO it was arranged
that the duel should take place on 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 the fire at or between
the words 'one, two, three firing to con-
tinuc until one or both were dead.
The point was reached, the ground
measured off, and, the men took their
positions without tremor. The moon
shed its pale light down on scene never
to be forgotten. A moment or two and
the silence was broken by the signal:
Zone, two, three" At the word "one''
the report Of two pistols rang out on the
midnight air, but the principals main
tanned their respective positions. The
GeorSian's left arm was seen to drop
closer TO the SiIc, but the Mississippian
was immovable, and still held his pistol
to the front Again, pistol shot was
heard, coming from the Georgian, and
the Mississippian still held his position,
but did not fire. The Georgian pro-
tested that he had not come there to mur-
der him, but no answer was returned.
The MiSsissipp;an's second approached
his principal and found him dead shot
through the eye on the frat charge OF
the weapons. Death it seems had heen
instantaneous, sr- r-mucl, so as not even to
disturb hi. equilibrium. may forget
some things. but the midnight duel on
the top Of spur Of the Blue Ridge, with
the attendant circumstances, is not one
Of them.-Atheas, Ca, Banner.
| Adulteratel Quinfue.