The Delta independent., 1889-07-02
MIDNIGHT DUEL.
On the Top of the Blue Ridge
A Romantic Story of the Late

On the TOP OF fho blue hioSo-
A Romantic Story of the Late
War.
''There is no doubt" said an old
soldier yesterday, ''that singular
things occur as we journey through
life, aud he looked as though memory
was struggling with some sad feature
OF his existence. He sighed as he con-
tinued: II remember as though it
was yesterday, the march of Hills
corps along the winding Shenandoah
up to the famous Luray gap. Who
could ever forget that march? The
road winding with the beautiful river,
and overhung with majestic chain OF
Blue Ridge Mountains, while across the
crystal water the magnificent valley,
with its charming cottages dotting the
bounteous land with white-like balls OF
snow robed in flowers. But the most
engaging and lovely objects paled into
insignificAnce beside the peerless wo-i
men of this blessed country, and you
may well believe that when the camp
was struck the soldiers lost no time in
making their way to the surrounding
cottages. Soon the music of the violin
was heard and the shufiiing feet kept
Lime W lho music, "bie, ioi
a time, the soldiers face was
lit with old-time joy. At one of
these cottages the belle OF the valley
reigned supreme, while several south
ern soldiers We'd with each other in
paying homage to the queen. Among
others were two young soldiers-one
from Georgia and the other from
Mississippi-who were specially ener-
.,atip in hni nff and u.
ed had this become that those present
watched the play with constantly in
creasing interest, fully believing that
both exhibited case of love at first
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 Mississippian, and
when the dancers were called to take
their places, he led the belle OF the
valley to place in the set. At this
point the Mississippian was seen to ap-
proach the couple and heard to claim
the lady's hand for the dance. An
alteration ensued, but both were cool,
brave soldiers-two Of tho best shots
in the army-who did not believe in a
war of words. So it was ended by the
Georgian dancing with the lady and the
significant remark OF the Mississippian
that Il will see you after this set
when the dance was over tho
Georgian was seen to seek the Missis-
sippian, and together they called each
"a friend from the crowd and departed.
When outside both claimed that an in
suit had been passed which could only
be wiped out in the blood OF the other.
and that duel to the death should be
arranged at once. A full moon was
just appearing above the tops of the
surrounding forest, and / tell you this
talk of blood in the silence of 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 Blue Ridge, near
the center OF the road that passes
through the gap; that the weapons
should be pistols at fifteen PAGES, and
to fire between tho words, "one. two,
three" firing to continue until one or
both were dead.
''The point was reached, the ground
measured off, and the men took their
positions without o trcmor. The moon
shed its pale light on n scene never to
be forgotten. A moment or two. and
tho silence was broken by the signal:
.Ono. two, three" Atthe word ''ono''
the report Of two pistols rang out on
tho midnight air, but the principals
maintained their respective positions.
The Georgian's left arm was seen to
drop closer to his side. but the Missis-
sippian still held bis position, but he
did not fire. The Georgian protested
that he had not como there to murder
him, but no answer was returned.
The Mississippian's second approached
his principal and found him dead. shot
through the eye on the first discharge
of the weapon. Death, it seems, had
been instantaneous, SO much SO as not
even to disturb his equilibrium. Imay
forget some things, but the midnight
duel on the top of spur OF the Blue
Ridge, with its attendant circumstances,
is not one of them.-DetrOit Free
Press.