The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-04-25
che Thihodallx Sentinel,
SATURDAY, APRIL %, 1891.
A SINGULAR DUEL.

feet master of fence. and in his en-
mites utterly relentless, his name
became Il terror to all who knew him.
In the midst of il kaot Of admirine
friends n day. the major was dis
cussing his last '.affairn and compla-
Gently explaining how it came that he
had only mortally wounded his advar-
sary instead Of killing him on the
spot, when II of the two gentleman
standing with hearing suddenly add
vanced and struck him in the face.
The spectators stood aghast.
He was an old man. Already, to APP
pearance, had threescore yea and
ten passed Owe his head. He must
have been indeed weary of IA life
whose brief remnant he was ready to
cast away so reckiessly.
The major was aStounded. The
very audacity of the outrage struck
him with amazement.
us this provocation sufficient, or
must | repeat it?" inquired his as
s%ailant.
The majors first impulse was to re-
turn blow for blow. But fierce and
violent rs We're his passions. he had
schoo'ed himself to complete mastery
over them. and a moment reflection
told him how bootleSs, under the
circumstances, would be a public
brawl. The indignity lie received
would admit of n reparation, and
that he determined to lose no time III
seeking.
"The Insult Is sufficient" he answer
ed, With forced calmness. "Oblige me
by naming IL friend-for your own
name | care nOt-to whom | can re-
fer my own"
This gentleman replied the other.
resuming the arm Of his ~companiun.
twill return in an hour tt confer with
any one You may designate.'
And the W strangers took their
leave together.
At sunrise on the following morn
ing the principals and their seconds
made their appearance on the ground
selected No II else was present, Dot
even Il surgeon The major in his past
experience never had needed one
and his opponent, it was plain, was
careless OF the consequences.
There was no necessity for DELAY.
The preliminaries had all been set
tied. The parties were to fight with
pistols az ten Faces. the combat to
continue till one or both had fallen.
One condition had been insisted upon
by the stranger which called an indig-
nant blush to the majors cheek. as it
seemed to imply an imputation upon
his honor, though he submitted to it
with the best grace he could. It was
that, before placing the combattants.
the bodies of both should be inspected
to see that 40 secret protective device
was employed by either.
The ground was measured and the
men placed. There was a marked
contrast between the two in more res
poets than that of years. The old man.
erect and m%otionless as a statue, his
whitened locks floating in the breeze.
never one looked at His antagonist.
toward whom his side was turned
His face was stern and determined.
but had nothing malignant III it.. The
major, Oh the other hand, gIared far
cely on,his foe, seeming even to @rud@e
the few Emoments Of life yet remain
ing to him.
"Were lie my own father, | would
Kill him = he said. audibly replying to
some whispered expostulation CT his
second. who was evidently touched by
the old mans venerable appearance.
The pistols We're pat in the hands of
the principals and the giving Of the
word WAS cXptainp1.
"Gentlemen, are You ready 2"
"Ready," both answered.
Still the old man moved not. nor
did he direct a single glance at his adj
versary. His eyes were fixed in front.
His attitude was one of Tapt attention.
He seemed like II listening intentIy.
Without changing the direction of
his gaze, or other movement than that
of his arm. which rose with the prcci-
sion and steadiness of a nicely adj
justed machine. the old man brought
pistol to the level of his encmv's
breast. For an instant he held it there.
Still the same appearance Of eager
listening.
The major was in no hurry. He
could afford to take his time with a
man who held his pistol at random.
He took deliberate aim. If his bali
missed his adyersary's heart, though
but the fraction of an inch, he would
again make pretense 30 skill.
The sharp report of the strangers
pistol was followed by Il convulsive
jerk of the majors arm, causing the
discharge of his weapon far wide of
its mark, while he, staggering Il few
PAGES backward, fell heavily to the