The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-19
HE WAS a CowARDLY DuELIsT.

Fired Before the Word and Was Shot
by His Adversary's second.
from the Detroit Free Press.
He was very gray, very tall, very angular,
with a stoop to his shoulders, aud sugges-
ton of weakness in his step as he passed
slowly along the pavement before the hotel
windows. Yet there was about him a
dignity that no one could overlook, ana
when he turned his eyes to the right or left
it was with a keenness which told that
thirty years or SO ago those eyes must have
been Ill for an enemy to meet.
This was Col. Robertson of certain
southern city which shall be nameless. We
were sitting idly over our cigars, and heard
his story before the little group broke up,
and we went our several ways for the even
ing.
Here was a typical representative Of the
old and false social system of the south. He
was once rich; in spite of all vicissitudes he
is to-day we'll to do.
In the years before the war he was a
leader at the bar, leader in society, a
leader in the church, and man of most
exemplary private life.
He owned slaves, and deemed il but right
that he should own slaves, but he treated
his black chattel better than many men
treat treat their wives and children.
Every night and every morning in his
household his sonorous voice might have
been heard reading the words If Holy
Writ or raised in supphcation to the Throne
of Grace; many times, no doubt. this same
voice has rung out, Vengeance is Mine;
will repay, saith the Lord"
Yet this man embodied in himself so
fully the ideas of the society in which he
lived that in his youth and prime he was
a noted duelist. More than one has thrown
up his hands, dropped his weapon. and gone
unshriven to meet his NJ ker as tribute to
his steady aim and his cool and fearless
judgment.
A week or a fortnight later the colonel's
feet have led his family flock to the familiar
pew in church and he has prayed to the
Lord TO forgive him his trespasses as he
forgave those who trespassed against him,
believing that in some occult way an Of
Tense against personal honor must stand be-
fore the Almighty as an exception to divine
rules. Col. Robertson never gambled,
never drank to any excess, never brawled,
never sought a quarrel; but when the
quarrel was forced upon him he was quick
to resent and implacable in seeking his
revenge.
will tell you the story of his first duel.
1t was back in the sos, when he went from
his plantation, accompanied by young
and beautiful wife, for a few weeks of re-
creation in New Orleans. which was then
the center of southern gayety and fashion
during the winter months
The two had been at the hotel less than q
week when one night man who shared
their table came in flushed with wine and
made some offensive remark in the presence
of the young wife.
The colonel demonstrated, when the re-
| mark was repeated in aggravated form.
The offended man at once arose, led his
wife away from the table to her own room,
and, returning through the corridor, met
the culprit. A staggering blow in the face
| laid the latter prone upon the floor.
An hour later challenge had passed and
been accepted, and at sunrise the next
morning, without a word to his wife, the
colonel went out to fight his first duel.
He was seconded by a gentleman from
| Atlanta, already gray-haired and personal
| friend of his own, as he had been of his
father. When the retired spot selected was
reached the ground was quickly paced off,
the men placed in position, and one Of the
seconds said: "Gentlemen, | will count
three, then drop my handkerchief. At the
fall of the handkerchief fire."
All was ready, the colonei's second stood
| behind him and little to the right, and he
who was TO give the signal was midway be-
| tween the contestants and Just out of range
"Onep
The men stood intent and motionless as
statues, with arms extended and weapons
| leveled.
"Twom
Not movement of muscle.
9Th"
The weapon of the stranger flashed, a lock
of hair fell from just below Robertson's
temple. and few drops of blood trickled
| down his ear, which had been but lust
touched by the pa sing bullet. Before any
body could notice this, before he himself
realized his narrow escape, there was
| sharp report from behind him and at the
side. and his antagonist staggered back
ward, dropped his weapon, aud fell dead.
Col. Robertson turned instantly to his Sec
ond, who was coolly replacing a pistol in
his pocket.
"Why did you do thatr he asked.