Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-26
VAN ZANDTSLOVERS.
THE STORY OF AN ATTEMPTED DUEL
IN FAIR FRANCE.
Du.IiIsts, Seconds, and Spectators Were Pic
to the Innkecpcr-Dr. Rainsford and
His Aceussrs--Queer Hobby.

His Acknowledgment hoDDy'
correspondence Of the Richmond Dlspatch.l
NEW Yoar, April %. 1T was when our
fair countrywoman Marie Van zandt was
turning the heads of all Parisians.
Among those who were bewitched by
her beauty was young American, living
abroad. who seemed to meet with some
favor in the singers eyes until he was cut
out hy Frenchmsn, who, 10 put 1t mildly,
had a decided facial blemish. To be lltod
was an insult not easily to DO borne, but to
be Tilted for one-eyed man was an insult
only 10 be washed oat in bl-l-l-ood-da; ma
the Young American challenged ana was
promptly accepted.
The spot chosen for the duel was Sc
Guided forest nook near Gree. Department
Seine et Marine, where jelly loot ~ artists,
friends OF both parties, aud lncluuing
many Americans, were then shetchlhE'
aud something like three dozen OF these
set out TO accompany the lighters TO Tue
field of honor. il was novelty 10 most OF
them, and thew were in very high spirits
az they walked along in the early dawn.
Presently. however, they heard the thun-
derous approach of a whole squadron OF
cavalry, and before they had thought OF
getting out of the way they were oil
placed under arrest.
They were taken to the nearest village
and arrnigned, and the trial adjourned TO the
next day. The Judge, the principal nm
keeper. and the censdarmes were not go
ing 10 miss such an opportunity TO PUCK
the criminals. They were remandcd 10
the custody of the officers, who took them
10 the hotel. Here they were allowed to
drink WINE or play billiards for The good
OF the house." but not to leave 1t, lest thoy
should patrOnize the rival establishment.
After they had paid heavy bills for their
nights lodgings-twO thirds or them slept
on the hoor-and had turned over IN fines
90 the Judge the few francs they had lett
they were allowed TO depart. livery BODY
was well satisfied. The Judge. the mn
keeper, and the officers had something 10
divide, the ducllists had proved their
courage. and the spectators had an adven-
ture to tell of aud fat sketch-bOoks to
show.
Tell you the chalenger's name? Ger
tainly not. He is living in New YORK. to-
lay, and / doubt whether his beautiful
Young wife has ever heard of the duel. or
would so much as guess his connection
with it if she should see this account.
JOHN BRIsBEN WALLER.
"There's man you ought TO know"
said friend, pointing out a gentleman
who had Just turned into Broadway from
Twenty-ffth street.
WHO is hep"
That's John Brisben Walker, the editor
of the Cosmopolitan. He made an enor-
nous fortune in the West, and he bids
fair to do just as well here as he did IN
Colorado. In some respects he is re-
markable man. He has Just left his Office
for the day.. He Is never, there, after noon.
His energy is something boundless."
Some DAYS later il was my good fortune
20 be introduced TO Mr.. Walker. He was
exceedingly inaccessible in one respect
nothing could induce him to permit the
conversation TO take turn personal TO
himself. but from one Of his magazine as
sociates gained much extremely interest
ing information concerning bis chief. Mr..
Walker had already won and lost for
tune when, in 1879, he began in Colorado
the cultivation of alfalfa (the Lucerne
clover of Europe) on an extensive scale.
For ten years he spent about half day on
horseback. personally experimenting farm
operations which, during later years,
involved the employment of more
than forty men and the harvesting of more
than 5000 tons of alfalfa hay per annum,
He las made careful study of the farm
ers' interests in the United States, and
during his residence in Colorado took an
active part IN the defence of their legisla-
tive interests. While engaged in this work
he also purchased large piece of worth
less river bottom near the centre of the
city and by bold engineering operationsre-
covered il from the water and made 1t so
valuable that it is said the railway com
panies have offered 81, 100000 for what but
few years ago was comparatively
worthless. These engineering opera
tions were carried forward in the
face of obstacles formidable enough
TO daunt almost any man. Twice. the
river swept away all that had been
done, but the third attempt was crowned
with complete success to the establishment
OF the most capable engineers of the State.
Soon after Mr.. Walker came East he pur-
chased the Cosmopolitan. Those who un-
dertake to steer magazine out of foul
weather into fair have about all they can
attend to. Mr.. Walker was we'll equipped
for the work by temperament and by
training. 1t was no place for n man who
was apt to ''waver in his faith" but some
thing more than mere tenacity of purpose
was in demand. Among the essentials
were convictions absolutely free from
ambiguity and the patience which
is proof against exasperations, small
and large. Obstacles which stagger
some men stimulate others. He had
had experiences of character well
calculated to tougher his naturally ath-
letic mental and moral fibre. They gave
him powers of endurance not easily taxed
to their straining point, and they. enabled
him to place at the disposal OF the maya
zine Just the kind of service which insured
success. To the affairs of the Cosmopolitan
he gives personal and unremitting atten-
ton. Mrs. Walker is the daughter of Gen
eral Strother, a writer who attained wide
celebrity as Porte Crayon," and the
Walker household includes seven possible
Presidents, to say nothing of very young
lady, who. unlike her father, is TO the last
degree autocratic.
ATREE AND Easy RECTOR.
DR.. Rainsford. of st. Georges church,
the Rev. Heber Newton, and DR.. |. n.
Stanger are the heroes of a great church
war at present. One hundred and sixteen
clergyInen and fifty laymen of the Episco-
pal Church have made formal remonstrance
against their permitting clergymen of other
denominations to speak from EpiscOpallan
pulpits. Their defence will be a bubble
upon the word "officiate" and a plea to
the spirit of the age, and it is plea which
will probably be looked upon with favor.
DIR. Rainsford is the most unique figure
in New York to-day as | saw him in
DtttutI OiA puppy IL ~ AiSNNS NANAS 81
not long ago.
over six feet in height, his form is
straight and he carries himself with the
precision of German drillmaster. His
sparse hair was carefully parted in the
middle. His countenance was open and
frank and bis eyes beamed through pair
of pebble pince nez. He was attired in a
loosely-ftting single breasted sack-coat
that showed his striking form to advsn-
tage. He lowered himself into the great
chair once occupied by Beecher and sat
there until the musical portion of
the service was over. Then he
stood up TO preach. He didn't open
the Bible or lay even a page of
notes before him. But he began TO speak
in free and easy way, and at once cap
tured the audience His text was: such
as | have give | thee" He thrust his
hands into his trousers pockets, drew up
his form. and tor forty minutes ratified
along perfect Niagara of ideas, clothed in
choice language. He frequently moved
about the platform, resting on one foot
and then on the other. Sometimes his
hands found their way into bis coat
pockets, and again they were used to
-