The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-16
TWO STRANGERS IN ADUEL.

a story OF meeting on the Field OF
Honor in the Days Before the War.
From the NetU York Tribune
81 have seen one duel in my life" he said
"I do not believe in duelina, of course, but
since that duel have not had the horror of
it which / felt before. 1t did not seem like
murder; 1t did not seem even brutal to me.
81 was in New Orleans and was sitting
late one night in the hotel corridor, inter
ested in discussion ably conducted by both
sides. It was on that subject which hung
upon every mans lips Both men were
handsome, middle-aged and refined-looking.
The conversation became more and more
heated until one of the men said sternly:
You have insulted my state and me,
SIR
4 have spoken what believe to be the
truth said the other man calmly, and |
cannot change my sentiment
Then you offer to give me satisfaction
said the other.
In what way, sir?
AS gentlemen give satisfaction
~ do not fight duels,' said the other.
Not when you have insulted manl'
emo
"'You are not a coward answered the
other. That is plain to see. ask you as a
gentleman to give me satisfaction
1.-The man from the north looked at him
steadily.
~ cannot kill man, he said.
1.-THE other gave him look which was
almost one of appeal.
!" If you 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 it beg
As soon as possible"
The southerner excused himself to find
second. The northern man turned TO me
"I am a stranger here he said. win
you act as my secondP
~ don't believe in duels,' answered.
feeling ashamed to refuse him.
mo more do /, he replied coldly.
u hesitated and consented. The four of
US were driven below the city shall not
forget the place whore the duel was fought.
We turned into plantation at a point of
the road where stood majestic pecan tree
which seemed to bow gravely as the wind
rustled softly through its branches and the
trailing moss swayed gently. Dawn was
breaking, and over the Mississippi hung a
low mist. The distance was paced off by
the second of my new friends adversary.
Tor was absolutely useless.
for some reason my principal took off
his coat and waistcoat. and the other man
did the same thing. They both seemed ar
tnelr ease. In the grayness of the morning
tne white OF their shirts was beautifully
clear and pleasing. They took their nosi-
tions quietly. No one had spoken a word
since we had entered the field. NV friend
raised bis hand and looked carefully at the
revolver. ~ '--o
"'Gentlemen.' he said, calmly, 4 have
neVersshot at man in my life. This is NOT
my doing
u looked at the southern duellist. His
Iace Whltened at this but he was cool ord
graceful in his bearing.
Il forgot my principles. There was Moth
ing brutal, uncivilized or cruel ahout this
IL was beautiful. The calmness of the scene
was exquisite. Both men faced each other
as IL they were paying compliments. There
was grace about their posture which
charmed me- At that moment iU seemed To
me That to Kill man in so delicate a way
was tne refinement of courtesy.
Oentlemen, are you ready? Onep Two
WniUe-sleeVed arms was all that l saw. |
dld not hear the rest not even the shots. I
saw the arms go up slowly, straighten ont
Sharply, something like released springs,
anu tne southern man was in the damp
grass, bright stain on his white shirt NV
friend was leaning over him, peering any
iously into the wounded mans face When
ran up the one who was shot was vary
| white. Wy
Henry he said to his second. take
every care for this gentleman's safety and
he tainted. '--A
Perhaps this was one of the most "a.
markable duels ever fought. /. an unviIl.
ing 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. he
only two men who knew each other were
tne southern man and his second. But I
y, VINO believed dueling to be murder, found
fascinating picture, the like of which J have
never before or since seen.n