The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-03-16
Ghe Drmorrat-S Star
A KENTUCKY DUEL.
How They Handled Dcrringers in
the DAYS THAT Tried Men.

Victor Dnquene, the laUous PTS
toll shot of New Orleans, while tray
cling in Kentucky, stopped for the
night at a tavern in Frankfort. In
his day pistols, like KeHtnckians
going TO take Il drink, went IN pairs.
Every gentleman carried his twin
derringcrs. After supper Duquesne
went to the Office counter, behind
which the proprietor l0unged, and
putting down u halt-dOllar, request
ed him 10 change it. The prOpiie
tor swept the coin inte his money
drawer in a mechanical way, aud
taking out two "bitS,' or twelve
and-a ha!t-cent pieces, showed them
toward Duguesue. The latter, see
ing that the proprietor made no
move toward giving him any more
money, said
II gave you half a dollar; here
are only two 'bitS.''
"You g' me a quarter, sir" re-
sponded the host.
s'Beg your pardon ; yOu are mis-
taken. Look in your drawer and
you will see."
"Do you near to say | don't
know a half-dollar when | see it
1 say, sir, you gf me a quarter and
you've got your change for it,"
Duquesae looked steadily at the
tavern-keeper for a moment. The
guests seated around the fireplace
became silent.
"You are d Iiar!' said Duquesne
in . low, even tone. Those terrible
words meant something in Ken
lucky, and the speaker knew it. HI
felt nervously tor his pistols. They
were missing. He had left them il
his room. The keepers move
ments were as quick as if he had
been charged by al ~elestIic battery.
He jerked open his money dra wer
took from tia pistol, cooked 1t and
covered Duquesne, who stood mo
tionless.
"WOuld you shoot an unarmed
man p inquired the latter, calmly,
That appeal is eve without its
effect in the old commonwealth.
Gan unarmed man has no right
to give an insult"
"Will some gentleman lend me
a pistOl?" said DuqueSne, without
removing his eyes from his antagon
ist, whose two brothers bad now
ranged themselves by his side.
"Fair play, the world over
spoke up a burly drover, putting
pistol in Duquesne's hand, Will
two more were dropped into hi
o~vercoat pocket. The crowd parted
The men fired simultaneously. Th'
landlords right ann dropped to hi:
side, broken. DuqueSne stood IN
daunted, and quietly exchanged hi'
smoking pistol for one of the load
ed ones IN his pocket. One of the
landlords brothers without a word
leveled a pistol ut Duquesne, but
before he could pull the trigger
Duquesne fired, and his new antag
Onist's right arm dropped to hi,
side, broken.
ANY !! inquired DuQueSIle
preparing another tirearm.
eyes; damn your exclaimed
the third brother, firing Que ShoI
wildly and endeavOring to SHOOT
again. Duquesne fired quickly
again aud that brothers arm fell
broken, just as the others hat
fallen.
"Who the devil are you p criet
the landlord, claspiug his disabled
arm.
81 am Victor Duquesne, OF New
Orleans.n
IL beg your pardon, Mr.. Duques
ne; Pm satisfied it was IA half-dOl
lar you gP me. Give Mr.. DuQnesn,
two bits more out o. the drawer
SAM" said the tavern-keeper to
white-faced clerk who had croucbeC
beneath the counter during tht
tusillade. "Next time l want L
shoot I'll look at the register anC
see who it is gOin' to shoot back"