St. Paul daily globe., 1885-02-03
A MIDNIGHT DUEL.
On Top Of the Blue Ritlge-A Romantic
S'o'y of .hr I0f- WGr.
From the Athens (Ga.) Banner

On Top IF the Blue Ritge-A Romantic
S'o,y "f .hr late War.
From the Athens (Ga,) Banner.
There is no doubt" said an old soldier
yesterday, "thAt many singular things oc-
eur as we journey through life," aud he
looked AS though memory was struggling
with some sad feature OF his existence HC
sig ed as he contiu ued Il remember as
though ii was Yesterday the march of Hl's
corps along the winding Shenandoah up TO
the famous Luray zap. Who could ever for
get that marchl TIE road winding with the
beautiful river, and overhung with the ma
jestlc chain OF Blue Ridge mountains, while
across the crystal water the magnificent val
ley, with Its charming cottages dottng the
bounteous land With viii te like balls of snow
robed In flowers. But the most engaging
and lovely objects paled into insignifcance
beside the peerless women of this blessed
country, aud you may well believe that when
the camp was struck the soldiers lost no
time in making their way to the surround
Ing 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 lie with old time joy
At one OF the cottages the belle Of the valley
reigned supreme, while several southern sol
diers We'd with each other in paying homage
to the queen. Among others were two
young soldiers-oue from Georgia and the
other from Mississippi who were specially
energetic in their attentions, and so marked
bad this become that those present watched
the play with
CONSTANTLY INCREASING INTEREST,
fully believing that both exhibited case Of
love at nrst sight. This 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
Mississipplau, aud when the dancers were
called TO take their places be led the belle Of
the vsllvy to place in the set. Atthis point
the Mississippiau was seen to approach the
couple aud 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-vho did not believe
in 4 war Of words So it was ended bv the
Georgian dancing with the lady. aud tue sig
nidcsnt remark Of the Mssissippiau that II
will see YOU after this set"
"When the dance wss over the Georgian was
seen to seek the Nisslssippian. and together
they each called friend from the crowd and
departed. When outside both claimed that
~ Insult had been passed, which could only
be wiped out in the blood Of the other, and
that duel 20 the death should be arranged AZ
once. A full mOon was just appearing above
the tops of
rHE SURROUNDING FOREST,
aud tell YOU tais talk OF blood in the silence
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
ceuter Of the rosd thSi passes through the
gap. that the weapons should hs pistols az
htieen PAGES, and TO IRE at or between the
words one. two, three hriug to continue
until oas or the other were dead.
The point was reached, the vround meas
ured OF. aud the msn took their positions
without a tremor. The moon she'd It's pale
light down op a scene never to 5e forgotten
A moment or two aud the silence VAS broken
hy The sigual: ''oHe, two, three" At the
word ''one" the report Of Two pistols rsGg oct
on ruE MIDNIGHT AIR.
but the principals maintained their rsspee-
tive positions The GeorxiAn's lefs arm was
sesn to drop closer 20 the side. bat the Mis-
siSsipplan was innovable aad still held his
pistol TO The front AEain a pistol shot was
heard, coming from the Georgian. and the
Miss.ssiPpisa stiIl he'd his Position. b1t be