Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-01-17
TWO STRANGERS IN A DUEL.
Meeting on tho FIeld OF Honor In the
DAYS Before the War.


Il have seen one duel in my life" he
said. II do not believe in dueling. of
course, but since that duel / have not
had the horror of it which / felt before.
1t did not seem like murder; il did not
seem even brutal 10 me.
Il was in New Orleans and was sit
ting late one night in the hotel corridor
interested in a discussion ably con-
Quoted by both sides. 1t was on that
subject which then hung upon every
man's lips. Both men were handsome,
middle-aged, and retined-looking. The
conversation became more and more
heated until one of the men said stern
ly:
"'You have insulted my State and
me, sir
~ have spoken what believe to be
the truth said the other man calmly,
and | cannot change my sentiment
Then you offer to give me satisfac-
tion?' said the other.
"'In what way, sir?'
",As gentlemen give satisfaction"
~ do not fight duels, said the other
paling slightly.
Not when you have insulted a
nian?'
mo-
"'You are not a coward answered
the other. That is plain to see. ask
you as a gentleman to give me satisfac-
ton
The mar from the North looked at
him steadily.
."I cannot kill n man, he said.
1.-The other gave him a 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 a hound
Very WELL answered the other,
simply, when shall it be?'
"As soon as possible
The Soutberner excused himself to
find a second. The Northern mau
turned to me.
~ am a stranger here he said.
Will you act as my secondP'
81 don't believe in duels,' | answer
ed, feeling ashamed TO refuse him.
"'No more do L. he replied coldly.
IL hesitated and consented. The
four of us were driven below the city.
] shall not forget the place where the
Gael was fought. We turned into a
plantation at a point of the road where
stood a 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, for | vas absolutely
useless.
For some reason my principal took
off 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 a word
since we had entered the field. My
friend raised his hand and looked care
lessly at his revolver.
Gentleman he said, calmly. 4
have never shot at "A mau in my life.
This is not of nv doing
II looked at the Southern duelist.
His face whitened at this. but he was
cool and graceful in his bearing.
Il forgot my principles. There was
nothing brutal, uncivilized. or cruel
about this. 1t was beautiful. The
calmness of the scene was exquisite.
Both men faced each other as if they
were paying compliments. There was
n grace about their posture which
charmed me. At that moment il
seemed to me that to kill a man in so
delicate a way was the refinement of
courtesy.
Gentlemen, are you readyp Oner
Two white-sieeved arms was all that /
saw. l did not hear the rest, not even
the shots. / saw the arms 90 up slow
", s~traighten out sharply, something
ike released springs, and the Southern
man was in the damp grass, a bright
stain on his white shirt. My friend was
leaning over him, peering anxlousIy
into the wounded mans face. When
l 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
remarkable duels eve fought. /. an
unwilling second, did mo- know the
name of the principal whom l assisted.
/ did not even know the cause of the
duel. Each principal vas ignorant of
the name Of the other. The only two
men who knew each other were the
Southern man and his second. But /.
who believed dusling to be murder.
found II, when forced to play a part In
. duel. a fascinating picture. the like OF
which / have never before or since
seen."-N. Y. Tribune.