Telegram-herald., 1890-10-03
STRANGERS In A DUEL.
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said = = Nes York Tribane msa- Il d
aos believe IL d4eling q course. bgs
siuoe thzt d.ei / have act e@1 tie Aor-
rog q il which I sels before IL dia not
seem Ike murder is di3 not seen even
brasAl - me
II vas in New Orleans and was sit
nng late one Hight IA the hotel corridor.
Interested in discussion ably conduct
81 oy 0oth sides. Il ~as on that subject
which thea hung On every nan's lips.
Both nen were handsome, middle-aged
snd rehRsd locking. The conversation
became nero and more heated until one
OF the men said sterniy;
"'You have insulted my State and
me. sir
= have spoken what l believe 20 be
the truth. said the other man, calmly.
and can not change my sentiment.
Then you Offer 70 give me sstisfao-
tion?' said the other.
- In what way, sirr
AS gentlemen give satisfaction.
81 do not fght duels. said the other.
paling slightly.
Not when you have insulted .
manP'
mo
"'You are not . coward answered
the other. That is plain 10 see. | ask
you as gentleman TO give me satisfac-
ton
The man from the North looked at
him steadily.
- i can not kin a man be said.
l. l.. Il n ht~A
almost one OF appeal.
If yon do not give me satisfaction
he said. or retract, and ! see you will
not do that. shall feel like hound
VERY well. answered the other.
simply; when shall IL be?'
"'As soon as possible
''The Southerner excused himself TO
find second. The Northern man
turned 10 me.
i am stranger here no said
will you act as my secondr
81 don't believe in daels,' i an
swered. feeling ashamed TO refuse him.
"'No more do H. he replied, coldly.
81 hesitated and consented. The four
OF as were driven below the city. shall
not forget the place where the duel was
fought. We turned into a plantation at
point OF the road where stood a ma
jestic pecan tree which seemed 10 bow
gravely as tho wind rustled softly
through it's branches and the trailing
moss swayed gently. Dawn was break
ing and over the Mississippi hung low
mist The distance was paced of by the
second of my new friends adversary, for
l was absolutely useless.
For some reason nay principal took
of his coat and waistcoat, and the other
man did the same thing. They both
seemed at their ease. In the grayness
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 field. Ny friend raised his
hand and looked carelessly at his re-
volver.
"'Gentlemen.' he said, calmly, 4 have
never shot at man in my life. This is
not of my doing
II looked at the Southern duelist. His
face whitoned at this. but he was cool
and graceful In his bearing.
~ forgot my principles. There was
nothing brutal, uncivilized or cruel
about this. II was beautiful. The calm
ness Of the scene was exquisite. Both
men faced each other as IL they were
| paying compliments. There was a grace
about their pos ture which charmed me.
At that moment 1t seemed to me that to
kill man in so delicate way was the
refinement OF courtesy.
Gentlemen, are you ready? Oner
Two white-sleeved arms was all that
saw did not hear the rest, not even
the shots. saw the arms go up slowly,
straighten out sharply, something like
released springs, and the Southern man
was in the damp grass, bright stain on
his white shirt. My friend was leaning
over him, peering anxiously into the
wounded mans face. When | ran up
the one who was shot was very white.
Henry he said to his second, take
every care for this gentleman's safety,
and he tainted.
Perhaps this was one OF the most re-
markable duels ever fought. l, an un-
willing second, did not know the name
of the principal whom | assisted. | did
not even know the cause OF the duel.
Each principal was ignorant of the name
OF the other. The only two men who
knew each other were the Southern man
and HIS second. Bat 1, who believed
dueling to be murder. found IL. when
forced TO play part in duel. fascin-
atinv pic.ure tho like of which I hayo