The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1885-07-04
A TRIANGULAR DUEL.
The Terrible Results OF "Threo-
Cornered" Engagement,
Debauohory aud selfish Low. tho Cause
OF u Horrible Triple Tragedy
An Incident OF Eighty
Years Ago.

Readers Of tho novelist Marryatt's
humorous story, "Midshipman Easy
are not likely TO forget the strange con
ceit therein of the threc-cornercd
duel, In which the wrathiul aud blood
seeking belligcrcnts fought but without
fatal results, Tho concet was not
original with Captain Marryatt, H. ~.
II had lis birth in areal tragedy, fought
in northern city Of Ireland early IN the
present century, when II was the Gus.
tom In that country 10 settle all dis.
putes even tho most trivial In the
"iicld OF honor with pistol or rapier
The incident related below was told
tho writer by an Irish gentleman. far
advanced IN years. with the assurance
that the "triangular' duel had never
before been given 10 the world; that. In
fact, the particulars OF the tragedy were
originally known TO but three persons
IA half-domenled seryitOr OF one of the
principals. Catholic priest and him
self, saving the discovery Of the bodies
a day or two subsequent to the event II.
self. Following Is the history Of this
peculiarly Hibernian disputoi
In the year 1906 eighty years ago -
there was guartcrcd In tho barracks In
the town Of Armagh battalion Of n
regiment Of foot Of the British army,
the boast Of which was that II was
"lrisli TO the backbone, T" and. Of course,
had n record for bravery In more than
one field OF battle on the continent dur
ing tho ascondency Of the founder of
the unfortunate Napoleonic dynasty.
The battalion was commanded, In the
absence Of nm officer Of higher grade.
by Major Mallory a brave. impetuous.
irritable. hard-drinking officer who
could face, ns he had on many coca
sions. loaded pistol In the hands Of
an enemy with tho same fearlcssness
he would steamlng whisky punch Of
his own brew.
Subordinate 10 the Major In matters
military were Captain Many and Lieu.
tenant Dubray-men who, not less than
thcir superior, had sought the "bubble
reputation at the cannon's mouth"
Tue trio soon became widely known
10 the people Of the ancient town as
ROSTERS of most reckless character and
gentlemen irwas brst not 20 entertain a
serious dispute with. They were quar-
relsome lin their cups. and u was sol
dom they.wcrs wholly out OF them.
Until Their arrival In Armagh they were
rsrasied ~ fsst friends, aLd when
there was 'an exchange Of courtesies
they werc pretty certain 10 appear
either A. principals or seconds for each
other. Al three we're excallent marks.
mep. and rarely failed TO send bullet
where they desired Il should 70.
Their friendship turned 20 hatred
within n month OF six weeks VI their
arrival In the newly-assigned quarter.
of the regiment And this disruption
grew out Of mutual liking they enter
tanned for n very beautiful face. the
owner Of which they had IN the sams
hour been introduced 10 at ball In thu
Town Hal BY no less per'opagq than
IL happened that the Major. Captain
and Lieutenant, all In the prime VI life
and prcsentable men, notwithstanding Z
their di.sipated habits. were bachelors,
and the lady - Miss o'Neil. ih,
daughter Of gentleman Of large landed
property and of very ancient fnce-w wa
an incorfigible dirt She encourages
the advances of the soldiers. showing
however no decided preference fol
either, but Al the same time making
each sasagcly jealous Of the oshen
| The Major with his usual hotheaded
ness. resolved that a crisi. should h
brought about anil tho lady made tD sc'
that be was in Earnest la his advance
for her person aud fortune. lie had mad
up his mind that the road 10 slcccs
lay In stepping over the lifeless bodc
Of biz competitors for Miss 0'Neil'
hand. and 10 this enI he sought |
rupture With ihem--a breach II friend
ship vide enough 10 warrant him il
iorcing upon each Of them an uSchang
Of shots. he trusting 10 his good forum
and sure aim Ia get out II the quarrs
without hurt. or ~ least trifiing pei
furation by bullet in no vital part a
bis bOdv
III plan was simple. He invited tll
Captain end Lieutenant TO sup vii
him one evening. which meant The I'M
bbition II fnhishowen IN the form q
punch uatil they fell from their chair
and LAY in drunken ssupof under II