The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-07
STRANGERS IN A DUEL.
Probably tho Queerest Encounter
Ever Described.
Story of n Meeting on tho TI.ld of Honor
In tho Days Before the Wnr-A Sec
ond Who Did Not Even Know Tho
ISainc of tho Principai.

said to q New York Tribune man. ~ do
not believe i'll dueling, OF course but
since that duel have not had tho hor-
ror OF it which felt before 1t did not
seem like murder; it did not seem oven
brutal to me.
~ was in New Orleans and was sit
ting late one night in the hotel corridor,
interested in discussion ably conduct
ed by both sides. 1t was on that subject
which then hung on every mans lips.
Both men were handsome, middle-aged
and refined looking. The conversation
became moro and moro heated until one
of the men said sternly:
"'You have insulted my State and
me, SIR
II have spoken what believe to be
the truth said the other man, calmly,
and can not change my sentiment
Then you offer to give me satisfac-
tion?' said tho other.
6 In what way, sir?
AS gentlemen give satisfaction.
z" i do not fight duols said the other,
paling slightly.
"'Not when you have insulted a
man?'
Ono
the other. That is plain TO see. | ask
you as gentleman to give me satisfac-
ton
"rhc man from the North looked at
: him steadily.
:" Il can not kill man. he said
"Tho other gave him look which was
almost ono of appeal.
III yon do not give mo satisfaction
he said, 'or rotract, and | see you will
not do that, shall feel like 4 hound
Every we'll. answered the other,
simply; when shall it bc?'
"'As soon rs possible
''The Southcrncr excused himself to
find second. Tho Northern man
turned to me.
~ am u stranger here he said
'Will you act as my second?'
"'I don't believe in ducls,' I an
swcrcd, feeling ashamed TO refuse him.
emo more do H. he replied, codly.
81 hcsitatcd ana consented. Tho four
OF us were driven below the city. Shall
not forget the place where the duel was
fought We turned into plantation at
point OF the road where stood n ma
JeStic pecan tree which seemed to bow
gravely as the wind rustlcd softly
through It's branches and tho trailing
moss swaycd gently Dawn WAS break
ing and over the Mississippi hung low
p:ist. The distance was paced OF by the
second of my new friends adversary, for
Il was absolutely useless.
For some reason my principal took
oil his coat and waiStcoat, and the other
man did the same thing. They both
seemed at their ease. In the grayncss
OF the morning the white of their shirts
was beautifully clear and pleasing
They took their positions quietly no
one had spoken word since we had en-
tered the fold. My friend raised his
hand and looked carclessly at his re-
volvcr.
"'Gcntlcmen,' he said, calmly, Il have
never Shot III IL man in my life. This is
not of my doing
81 looked at the Southern duclist. His
face whitcncd at this, but he was cool
and graceful in his bearing.
81 forgot my principles. There was
nothing brutal, uncivilized or cruel
about this. 1t was beautiful. The calm
EesS of the scene was exquisite. 10th
men faced each other as if they were
paying compliments There was grace
about their posture which charmed me.
At that moment il seemed to me that to
kill man in so delicate way was tho
refinement Of courtesy.
Gentlemen, are you ready? One?
Two whi;c-sleeved arms was all that
saw. | did not hear the rest, not even
the shots. / saw the arms go up slowly,
straighten ont sharply, something liko
released springs, and the Southern man
was in the damp grass, bright stain OF
his white Shirt. My friend was leaning
over him, peering anxiously into tho
wounded mans face. When | ran I'D
the one who was Shot was worry white
Henry he said to his second, take
every care for this gentlemans safety
and he tainted.
Perhaps this was ono of the most re-
marSable duels ever fought. l, an un-
willing second, did not know the namo
os9thc principal whom L assisted | did
not even know the cause of the duel
Each principal was ignorant of the name
of the other. Thc only two men who
knew each other were the Southern man
and his second. But I, who believed
dueling to be murder, ISund it, when
forced to play part in duel, fasoin-
rating picture, tho like of which I have
never before or since seen"
A Wonderful Stone.