The Osceola times., 1885-07-04
A TRIANGULAR DUEL.
The Terrible Results of "Three.
Cornered" Engagement.
Debauchery and selfish Love the Cause
If IA horrible Triple Tragedy
An Incident of Eighty
Years Ago,

Readers OF tie novelist Earryatt's
humorous tory, "Midshipman Easy"
are not likely TO forget the strange CON
ceit therein of the "three-corncred
duel, ' in which the wrathful and blood
seeking belligeren fought, but without
fatal results. Tho concet was not
original with Captain Marryatt, X. n.
Ii had its birth in real tragedy, fought
in northern city OF Ireland early in the
present century, when it was the Gus
tom in that country TO settle all DIS
lutCs even the most trivial in the
"Eeld of honor with pitol or rapier
The incident related below was told
the writer by an IRISH gentleman. far
advanced in years, with the assurance
that the "triangular' duel had never
before been given to the world that, in
fact, the particulars of the tragedy were
or. inally known TO but three per- ons
"A half-demcnted serv.tlr of one OF the
pr nclpals, Catholic PRIEST and him
self, say ng the discovery of the bodies
Il day or two subsequent to the event it.
self Following is the history OF this
peculiarly liibernian dispIte:
In the year ls0j eighty wears ago -
there was quartered IN the barracks in
the town of Armagh a battalion of n
regiment of foot of the British army,
the boast of which was that it was
''lrsh to the back bone, and. of course,
had a record Tor bravery in more than
one field OF battle on the continent dur
ing the a cendency of the founder Of
the unfortunate Napoleon,c dynasty.
The battalion was commanded, in the
absence of an officer of higher grade,
by Ma or Mallory-a brave, impetuous.
irritable. hard-drinking oflicer-who
could face, as he had on many occa-
slons, a loaded pistol in the hands of
an enemy with the same fearlessness
he would a steaming whisky punch OF
bis own brew.
Subordinate to the Major in matters
military were Captain Many and Leu
tenant Dubray-men who. not les than
their superior, had sought the bubble
reputation at the cannon's S mouth. +"
Tne trio soon became widely known
to the people of the ancient town as
Rosters of most reckless character and
gentlemen it was best not to entertain a
serious dispute with. They were GUAR
rel,ome "in their cups" and it was sell
dom they were wholly out oil them.
Until then arrival in Armagh they were
regarded as fast friends, ard when
there was IAN exchange OF courtesies'
they were pretty certain to appear
either AS principals or seconds for each
other All three were excellent marks
men, and rarely failed to send bullet
where they desired it should 20.
Their friendship turned to hatred
Wlihn month or six weeks of their
arrival in the newly unsigned quarters
OF The regiment And this disruption
grew out Of a mutual liking they enter
tanned for very beautiful face, the
owner of which they had in the same
hour been introduced to at ball in the
Town Hall by no less parsonage than
the Mayor.
1t happened that the Major, Captain
and Lbutenant, all in the prime of life
and presentable men, notwithstanding
Their dissipated habits, were bachelors,
and the lady - Miss O'Neil, the
daughter of gentleman of large landed
property and of very ancient race-was
an incor. .igible firt. She encour ged
the advances of the soldiers, showing,
however, no decided pre- erence for
either but at the same time making
each savagely jealous of the Others.
The MAJOR with his Usual hot-headed-
ness, resolved that q crisis should be
brought about, and the lady made to see
mat ne was in earnest in his advances
'or her person and fortune He had made
up his mind that the road TO success
lay IN stepping over the liGeless bod .es
OF his competitors for Miss O'Neirs
hand' and to this end he sought q
rupture with them-a breach of friend
snip wide enough to warrant him in
Forcing upon each of them an exchange
oi shots, be trusting to his good fortune
ana sure aim to get out of the quarrel
without hurt, or at least trifling per-
ioration by bullet in no vital part of
bis body.
- his plan was simple. He invited the
,aptaln and Lieutenant Ito sup" with
nun one evening. which meant the i'm
oiolton OF lnnishowen in the form OF
punch unIt-they fell from their chairs
table
+he Major ia. trueted his servant,