, 1885-02-11
ApuEL STOPPED.
AN AFFAIR OF HONOR IN WHICH JEFF
DAVIS WAS CONCERNED.


NAN|H A1NA AAAA|
When JEFF Davis, In his twontles during
bis western service, had obtained his com
mission In the First dragoona he was givsl
a furlough. After n brief visit to the cap
ital and as briof a ~sojourn among bis Ken-
lucky reiatives, tho young officer drove post
hnste to luxuriuns Charleston. whero all the
wealth and beauty OF the 50 lthsrn plansers
world was concontrated. or cour,e the
was an attraction 10 tho West Pointer ut
Charleston Thi, attraction was a bright
eyed beauty, a Miss Colby. whoce rsputa-
ton ns n bells Is famous IN South Carolinian
nnnal1
Col. Charles caby, 4 wealthy Ashley
River planter. dying IN ls20 or 1921, had loft
Lis only daughte., stanch Eplscopaiian
though ho was, 10 the guardianship OF DR..
John England. first Catholic bishop OF
Charleston. Just how Lieut. Davis became
acquainted with the planters hsiress l have
not learned. But two nights after his ar
rival in Charleston an invitation was handed
tho officer to attend n TALL In the famous
town ball. Davis card had been sent up u
DR.. England's episcopal residence almost be-
fore he had shaken tho dust OF travel from
his Shoes, with, OF course. a billet addressed
to Miss Colby. The hours must have dragged
wearily along on the day preceding the great
ball The city was all agoz with excitement
and the planters coaches, rolling over the
stones in rumbling haste. were within sight
OF the anxious young officer watching from
an upper story window Of a strange
h~osteiry.
U-nnccompaniad the youth made his way
into tho ballroom. and leaning against n
pillar eagerly scanned each new arrivals
face. TIT soldierly bearing OF the ex-cndet,
the fine eyes, lighting up q manly, scholarly
face, possibly won admirinz comments from
the lips Of Charleston's naughty DANES and
damsolt He was observed 10 change his
listless attitude and suddenly start toward
the ballroom doorway, through which Miss
Colby, all at her ioveliest, was entering on
the arm OF a dark, imperious-looldng gentle
man in the full evening dress Of tho period.
Undeterred by the sight OF her escort, a
Louislanian OF proud creole family, Davis
was soon at the beauty's side, who smiled her
welcome as she extended her hand. While
basking in the light OF the fair ones eyes the
youth, fresh from the rude surface OF the
frontier, shook of his bashiulness aud all
melancholy faded from his countenance;
whom be was given the blissful privilege OF
escorting his partner to the banquet room.
regardless Of the claims OF her escort, his cup
OF pleasure ran trimming over.
An exact account Of what subsequently
occurred has come to no mans cars But
this much at least l believe is true: The
rten-looking cavalier WHO had been Miss
Colby's original attendant had watched with
blazing eyes the n%sSiduous attentions Of the
Keptuckian aud had entered the supper room
close upon his heels. The sitting at table.
according to the custom OF that old fashioned
time, was prolonged Champagne was
qu1nei in corlial southern way, and a GER
tam Unsurpassed excitement seemed to per-
vads the atmosphere In the neighborhood Of
Davis and the beautiful Colby. As the lady
r1s9 from the table the lieutenant leaned for
ward 10 remove the chair Hardly had his
hani touch n the back Of tie seat when thu
rFeols sprang towarl him AMI tore the grasp
way. IL was but q seconds work for Davit
to thrust himself bctween his aszailiant an
Mis- Colby, who. p~alo-oyed AMI from
hing. ahrank bach affrighted 70
the do1r. Friendly hands had interpose |.
and Lieut. Davis piacet the objsct OF his
attention within the ballroom. Before hs
coull follow her the onragad Louisianian
sprang upon him, striking him full in ths
cheek with his u~nglovei hanl. The Wsst
Pointer promptly retaiia-et by striking his
insu.tsr ~ tho floor.
On re-entering the granlhall great was the
officers chagrin to lonra that Miss Colby had
retired. Discounted All III at ea.c Davis
iTtufuou " ~ uOtol huIIly uuI us uOIr
cio8e1 upon him whan u winter knocked and
presented the ar OF n ~well-known
Charlestonian- The visitor cam, as the
bearer OF a challenge from tho fiery creole.
and before he left tn future Idol OF the
lost cause" wns pledg d to a duel at day
break out On the OLD A hley shell road.
Just as the sun was glinting tho bay be-
yond the forts a party Of five gentlemen
stepped out from tho palmetto shadows. A
brief consultation was held, the principals
separated, and the seconds, after loading
two murderous dueling pistols, slowly began
TO make the fatal pacot But the galloping
sound OF a horse was aeard upon the hard
white road A horsoman, thickly developed
In a heavy cloak, leaped to the ground. And
there at early morn as stern words as were
ever launched at culprits' head were uttered.
The torrent Of reproach changed to an elo-
quent and pathetic appeal, and finally the
duelists timidly advanced and shook hands
The tall figure which st6od uncovered, arriv-
ing just in the nick OF time to prevent another
Of those murders sanctioned by a code OF the
peculiar ethics then in vogue, was John
England, bishop Of Charleston, the first man
south OF Mason and Dixon's line with fear.
less courage sufficient to raise his voice
against the duello.
Lieut.. Davis went next day from Charles
ton, and IL Is not related that he ever again
met the beautiful Mas Colby, who did not
lack for lovers, though, as traditions stin
fresh bear ample testimony.