The Opelousas courier., 1885-02-28
A Midnight Duel.
an TOP OF THE BLUE RIDGE
Il ROMANTIC STORY OF THE
LATE WAR.
Athens ga. ] Banner.

luCE0 Ii AO uOubv3 oeeaA OH
old soldier yesterday. that
many singular things occur as
we journey through life," and he
looked as though memory was
struggling with some sad fea-
ttlre Of his existence. He sigh
ed as he continued II remem-
Der il as though it was yester-
day. the march of Hills corps
along the winding Shenandoah
up to the famous Luray Gap.
Who could ever forget that
march? The road winding with
the beautiful river and over
hung with the majestic chain of
Blue Ridge Mountains, while
across the crystal water the
magnificent valley, with its
charming cottages dotting the
bounteons land with white-like
balls of snow robed in flowers.
But the most engaging objects
nailed into insigniicance beside
the peerless women of this bles-
sed country, and you may we'll
believe that when the camp was
struck the soldiers lost no time
in making their way to the sur
rounding cottages. Soon the
music of the violin was heard,
and the shutting 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
Southern soldiers wed with each
other in paying homage to the
queen. Among others were
two young soldiers-one from
Georgia and the other from Mis-
sissippi--Who were specially en-
ergetic in their attentions, and
10 marked had this become that
those present watched the play
with constantly increasing in
terest, fully believing that both
exhibited a case of love at the
first sight. The surmise on the
part OF those present was only
too true, as. the tragic event
which followed fully proved.
The Georgian seemed to have
the lead on the Mississippian,
and when the dancers were call
ed to take their places he led
The belle of the valley to a place
Id the set. At this point the
Mississippian was seen TO APP
Droaeh the couple and heard to
claim the lady's hand for the
dance. An alteration ensued,
but both were cool, brave sol
diers--two Of the best shots in.
army--who did not believe in q
war Of words. SOFT was ended
With the Georgian dancing with
The lady, and the significant re-
mark of the Mississippian that
i will see You after this set.
aWhen the dance was over
the Georgian was seen TO seek
the Mississipian, and together
6hey each called q friend from
Tho crowd and departed. When
outside both claimed that an in
suit had been passed, which
could only be wiped out in the
blood of the other, and that q
duel I'd the death sheald be ar
ranged at once. A full moon
was just appearing above the
tops Of the surrounding forest,
and i tell you this talk Of blood
I'd the silence of the night was
anything but pleasant, no ar
gument, however, would avail
with these men, so it was arrang-
ed that the duel should take
place on top Of the Blue Ridge,
near the centre of the road that
passes through the gap that
Tho weapons should BIZ pistols ct
fifteen PAGES, and to fire at q
between the words one, two.
three, firing to continue until
one or both were dead.
sThe point was reached, the
ground measured off aud the
men t0oktheir positions with
ont j tremOr. The moon shed
its pale light down on = scene
never III be forgotten. a mo-
ment OF two and the silence was
broken by the signal: One, two.
three. AT the word sone' the
report of two pistols rang out
BIZ the midnight air, but the
principals maintained their res
peetiye positions. The Geor.
gian's left arm was seen to drop
closer to the side, but the Mis-
sisaippian was immovable, and
still held his pistol TO the front
Again d pistol shot was heard
coming from che Georgian, and
Mississippian still held bill
DosskI0n. huf he did not fire