The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-08-30

charge OF the paper. | paid no atten.
ton to the first onslaught made by
Douglass, and he, observing my silence,
had in the next issue a paragraph to
the effect that it was easy TO under
stand why his attack had not been
mot, as u paper was in charge of a
brainless pro tenn. | was bantered so
much about this that | found it neces-
sary to reply. | did so in the lurid,
pictorial fashion OF Mississippi Jour-
nalism. Well, Douglass came back at
me, and the discussion went through
the usual newspaper stages. One bitter
personality brought on another, but,
while Douglass called me all sorts Of
pct names, | cOntented myself with
malictously poking fun at him. Final
ly, however, his abuse became so yio-
lent that allowed my anger to get the
better OF my Judgment. lhad learned OF
a chapter in his life, the scene of
which was laid in Texas, Douglass had
started a paper there, but had been
suspected of combining demonstrating
with journalism, and was compelled to
leave unceremoniously. as the combi-
nation was not popular in Texas. |
revived this "Reminiscences and clothed
1t with a coat Of many colors" to suit
the requirements of my readers. | de-
scribed his wild flight over the Lone
Star plains in such a way that | ex-
pccted nothing less than gore. After
the publication several Of Douglass
friends came to me and advised me to
write n rctractiOn, us he was very
much enraged over the article and was
having a dreadful time trying to re-
strain his impulsive nature. refused
to do so, and afew days after | received
a challenge from him.
At first | thought | would treat it
with contempt, but on second thought
| decided to accept it, for | had ac-
qulred such an eXaCting reputation that
II | ignored the challenge he could
brand me as a coward. Now | did not
have the remotest idea OF fighting the
duel; but a day or two passed and there
was no change in the situation. | re-
celyed no intimations Of weakening on
the part Of Douglass. On the contrary,
Of his friends continued TO
speak with me about his savage dispo-
and, as an offset, | sent some of
my friends to Douglass to expatiate
upon my crimson deeds,
In the meantime the day for the
duel had been set. My p~erpIexity was
increasing, for, as | have said before,
did not want to fight and did not
to fight; and yet could notthink
OF a respectable way out of it. !
cursed Douglass for a fool in getting us
in such a dilemma; and he doomed up
in my fancy As a demon from the head
waters OF Bitter creek.
But how was | to get out Of it and
retain even a few rags Of my boosted
ieroctty? | was becoming very sick
Of my reputation, and heartily wished
had devoted myself to a milder
Of literature than Mississippi
journalism.
1t was the day before the duel, and
all sorts of fancies filled my mind.
That dreadful HoOsier was Just as i'm
D'ac&blc as ever, and | vowed that |
had never seen such a relentless man.
Al last | made up my mind to throw
no requirements OF the code to the
winds and have a personal interview
my adversary. ! looked for him
Ill day, AMI Of course made inquiries +
If sevHIol persons as to where he was
II tn, meantime my friends had made =
ne ont to Douglass as a devil incar- /
lats. The inquiries | had been max
ne about him were promptly miscon- {
trucd, and 1t was everywhere report !
d that | was looking after DOUGLASS. I
nd | very soon observed that the
own marshal and his deputies We're |
after me. The whole town L
vas aroused, and | was the cynosure
all eyes. ! could sec the heads Of :
women Cranel out of the windows as
the lacu contemplated me with v
ndis5u::od admiration, and the chill a
rem stared at me in ~specchless nor e
or. | did not find Douglass until s.
icht O'Clock that nigbt. We met in n o
lloon. He had evidently heard ,hat 0
was looking for him, and he did Il
OF propose 10 be taken at a djsadvan- p
lgc, for he rave a wild veil when Il
,me in, bounded hack Iiko n r,hha, d
III and drew n pistol. told him
,at was disarmcd and tho al