Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-10-23

Qecat or MS lauy love. 1He scCOuus
drew up an agreement in which it was
stipulated that Mordecai should apollo
gize to McCarty for his injustice, and
that the duel should be declared of
without any reflection upon the honor
of either of the combatants. The friend
ship between the two. men had now
turned to such bitter hate through their
mutual love for the same woman that
the reconciliation was of the coolest
character. 1t was in effect the covering
over Of the hottest of fires with thin
LAYER of ashes. The two proud young
men stipulated in the agreement that
henceforward they were to be strangers
and to show no sign Of recognition
when they should meet. The two COM
rades who had with the hearty affection
of brothers faced death with the cheer
ful courage of brave men upon many
bloody field, were now separated never
to meet except as the fiercest enemies.
Here, under ordinary circumstances,
should have been an end to the whole
affair. But the undercurrent of Rich
mond society was cruel. The odor Of
tragedy had been in the air, and no
peaceful commonplace drama could take
its place without public dissatisfaction.
Murderous- minded gossips smiled know
isgly when they said the matter had
been so easily compromised. 1t was
evident that the two men were, not anx-
ious to fight. Cowards who had no idea
OF what was real courage spoke lightly
of the bravery of these two veteran SOL
Giers. One night McCarty was in the
smoking-room of the fashionable club of
Richmond. A group of young men
were about him. Some of them indig-
nantly commented upon the low gossip,
the echo Of the tigerish dissatisfaction
of cruel minds over the fact that the
blood Of neither of these gallant men
had been shed. Suddenly McCarty said
impatiently:
81 am tired of all this talk. | wish TO
God the affair was back in the hands of
our seconds again"
Again fatality interposed. As these
words were uttered in loud, impatient
voice, Mordecai entered the room. He
came Just in time to hear what was said.
A moment sooner or later, and he would
not have encountered the danger of re-
opening the quarrel. Every one was
dumb when MoIdecai came. All turned
to him. He walked quickly up to Nc
Carty and said, "What was that you
said 2" in a tone of irritation. McCarty,
in his reply. adhered to tie agreement
made i'm the settlement OF their first diff
fculty. He said, 81 don't know you,
sir"
81 will have you to understand that |
am gentleman"
"Oh, you are?" sneered McCarty.
At this Mordecai struck McCarty in
the face. Friends instantly rushed up
and separated the two men. Now 1t was
evident that a duel to the death could
alone result. After blows were ex-
changed the possibility Of a peaceful
settlement was forever at an end.
The same fatality pursued the victims
of this duel to the end. The first sur
geon asked to assist refused. 1t was al
ways supposed that he gave the infor-
nation to the authorities, for the police
came upon .he ground just as the duel
had ended fatally for Mordecai. When
the first shots were exchanged neither
was hit. This was very strange, as both
of the principals were dead shots aDd
could snuff a candle at thirty PAGES.
McCarty wore a gle-buttoned coat.
Mordecai's first bullet took off this but
ton, as McCarty stood sidewise TO him.
McCarty's ball passed wide Of Mordecai.
If the code had been observed here the
duel would not have had fatal ending.
1t was now the duty OF the seconds to
retire their principals TO examine them
to see if either was injured and to ask
whether the principals would not settle
their differences before again placing
their lives in jeopardy. But the prin-
cipals took the affair in their own
hands. One said:
care you hit?"
"No. Are yOu?"
"No."
Then, care you ready?"
yes"
Then, as if actuated by one mind, the
two men raised their pistols and fired.
again. The two reports were so close
together that they sounded as one. Nor
decai fell on his face, as fall men with
death wounds. McCarty reeled and fell
backward. Both men were hit in ex-
actly the same spot upon the right side.
The ball in Mordecai's case went right
through his bowels, giving him a wound
from which he very soon died. The
ball entering McCarty's body at the
same place passed around. He was six
months in bed and then recovered.
If the police had not come up over the
hill just as the two men fired, there
would have been no evidence against
McCar.y. AS it was, he had hard
time getting out of the law after he had
recovered. 1t cost him all the fortune
he had; but the fact Of his having placed
his own life absolutely in the balance
against Mordecai's, and that the latter
had provoked the quarrel, finally freed
him. The lady is still living.
Koskiusco Murphy recently passed his
examination and is now member OF
the Austin bar. His strong card is in