The state herald., 1891-06-19
A KENTUCKY DUEL.

Miss Nellie Hawthorne, only daugh-
ter of Judge Hawthorne, was the belle
of the village, and among her score of
admirers il was plain that she preferred
Colonel Ashley. who had been devoted
to her since her return from school.
Judge Hawthorne and Colonel Ash
ley were warm personal friends. They
agreed on politics, attended tho races
together and backed tho same horses,
tho Judge always placing implicit con-
fidence in the coloners Judgment. The
judge loved his pretty daughter very
dearly and he was well pleased when
his dearest fricud Colonel Ashley,
asked and obtained his consent TO seek
the hand and heart of Nellie. but /
cannot give her up for n long time
yet, )" said the judge, land II you win
her love, Ashley, you must be content
to wait awhile before you ask for hcr
hand.n
Colonel Ashley pressed his suit at
the court OF cupid and won 1t. Pretty
Nellie Hawthorne blushingly acknowl-
edged that she loved him very dearly
and would become his wife whenever
her father gave his consent
The colonel had promised to wait
awhile for the wedding. but in few
weeks the waiting seemed very long
and he determined to see the Judge
and II possible induce him to name the
day.
a portion of Colonel Ashlcy's saw
iugs he had invested in trcc-horses.
ard he owned n small string of fine
flyers. He had purchased most of his
horses from Colonel Newton Harris, n
veteran breeder Of thoroughbreds,
who kept sale stable in town. his
try. One day Colonel lIarris brought
in from his farm n very promising
yonng flly, and he determined TO offer
her first 10 his friend Ashley, who
wanted 10 purchase two or three more
fast ones. Meeting Ashley on the
street Colonel Harris told him nbou,
the iilly. go down TO the stable any
time and tell the boys YOU wan, TO see
the bay iilly. Nellie. You will buy her
as soon ms You have seen her good
points"
Colonel Ashley promised 10 call mt
the stable at the frs, opportunity.
The same evening the colonel called
TO sec Miss Hawthorne and the happy
lovers agreed that the next day the
judge should be asked to name an ear
ly duy for the wedding.
On his way down town the next iol-
lowing morning Colonel Ashley
stopped at the stable 10 look at the
bay illy. When he arrived at his Of
fee he mus, prepare brief In an i'm
portant case at once. hut before he
went to work he wrote two notes and
gave them 10 his Office boy 10 deliver.
AZ these two notes proved the begin
ming Of the correspondence which re-
suited In n duel. they are here copied
verbatim. The first was to Judge lInw-
ihorno and read MS follows:
nv DrAR SiR-I ran wait no longer.
Nellie has consented to be my wife I
know how dear she Is to you and how hard
Il VIII he for YOU 10 give her up but !
shall call on You this afternoon, present
my cnse AMI plead with you to sustain the
decision OF the lower court mud name nm
early day for our marriage. Remember
our future happiness depends ON your
answer. As ever, your friend,
BrproHp AsnIEY.
The other note was 10 Colonel New
ion Harris. and read ns follows:
NJ DEAN Sui called this morning to
look Mt your favorite iiliy, Nellie, and must
say she WIS disappointment Her legs
are triflo heavy, she is narrow chestci
nnd her neck Is too short With all these
defects and the doubtful pedigree Of her
sire II would he folly TO expect much of
the iilly. do not caro- To add her 10 my
string. Thanking you for your offer am,
your friend BrpFoRp AsnrrY.
Two hours after sending these notes
Colonel Ashley was In his Office busy
preparing II brief Tho door opened
suddenly and Judge Hawthorno's sec
reinry cniorcd with n letter In his
hand. A smile Of pleasant anticipa-
ton WINS ON Colonel Ashlcy's face ns
he opened the letter. but as he glanced
NJ lts contents his eountcnnnco under
went great change. The letter was
from Judge Hawthorne and read:
''siiR-I shall not nsk or accept any cx.
plnnniion Of the outrageous insults con
ANlhfA ~ NRhi FAAff W iNh univ
mani that you n, once make full apollo.
KS, 10th To my daughter nnd myself"
For n moment Colonel Ashley was
spccchlcss wi.h n-ionishmont and then
he quickly arrived Mt the conclusion
that his nndncity IN asking for the
hand OF Miss Hawthorne was regarded
by her father ns mn insult. Colonel
Ashley was n gentleman. n Kentucky
gentleman the social equal OF Judge
Hawthorne. md no man must 80 much
NJ Intimate that ho would insult u
lady.
Judge llnwihornc's secretary soon
returned with the following letter from
Colonel Ashley.
sm-ln reply 10 your communication ~
thin date In which you state that hnv.
msultol your daughter and yourself
have the honor 10 inform you that n friend |
Of mine, empowered 10 act for me. will
cnll on you within mn hour ltcspcrtfully,
BEpronp Asnirr,
within the hour Colonel Arhlcy's |
friend waited onJudgc Hawthorne with |
n challenge 10 moftnl combn' The |
Judge In his note Ia Ashley Ind stated |
that he would not nccept my attempt /
., an explanation, 10 there was moth
ing lcit for him TO do bu, to choose his |
weapons mud name the time mud place
Of meeting, lie aoon found friend |
willing To act for him. and tho two |
seconds. without further consultation |
with their principal. proceeded 10 mr. |
rnnga hll prolininnrici for the meet
Ing. Sunrise tho following morning |
was the ,lmo agreed upon mud tho
plnco wns m opening In n beautiful 4
IL - I.-.... I...u.. IL l