Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-05-21
MAJ. BELLS DUEL
. Meeting on the Field Of Honor That DID I
Not Prove Disastrous


Meeting on the Field Of Honor That Did
Not Prove Disastrous
An emblematical button Of the Loyal
Legion adorned the lapel of eheviot
coat worn by Mai. Oscar Bell at the Al
bany.
"A story. eh?- laughed the ex-army
officer. as ne detached his eyeglasses
from the bridge Of his nose and looked
in a good natured way at the expect
ant Republican reporter seated beside
him
well. femme see. The smoke OF
shiloh is a chestnut now. and the battle
of the Wilderness probably has been
smothered from further interest by
profuse growth of weeds BY 3oye.
can give you a little incident that has
never been in type II happened IN
1858. when our regiment was in camp
at a little Missouri town called Lex
iugton. / wore a captains straps at
that time and did the shouting for Com
pany b
THE captain Of Company d was nam
ed Henry Poor. Unknown 70 me he de-
tested me. and all because once made
a nun on his name while at West Point
Being a young man Of stringent means
he was MORALLY offended. but later
seemed to have overlooked an unin-
territorial sally Of wit that ! got on al
his expense among group Of fellow
cadets
well. when we got our commissions
the loaded dice of faith threw US both
in the same regiment. and when the
war broke out we went 20 the front I'M
der the same colonel As said before.
our regiment camped at Lexington,
No, near Kansas City, or Westport,
as il was known in those days Among
the events that transpired during the
two weeks Of our sojourn was grand
bail. given at the residence Of Loyal
northern woman. for Lexington, al.
I though a Missouri town. had great re-
spect for the confederate colors. and 9
I great many Of It's citizens heartily Syn
I pathized with the southern cause Al
T the ball. several Of the officers Of ON
regiment were invited-Poor and my
self included
During the evening I placed M
name on the programme of one Of Lex
inrton's bellies, but when / called foi
the dance / was Mortified at the discov
erv that my name had been deliberately
erased and that OF Poor substituted
When Poor and the young lady starte'
of amid the seductive strains Of the OF
ehestra nv blood, which had in tn
meantime been increased TO 40 degree
Fahrenheit BY a liberal indulgence
champagne. fairly boiled with indigna
ton Later in the evening caugh
Capt Poor in the gentleman's dressing
room alone ! slapped him roughly j
face and told him just what ] though
of him. He did not resent il there, bu
the next day / received chaleng
from him 10 fight duel
4 had never fought duel and he
itated some time. but rather than :
accused OF cowardice | consented III
matter was placed in the hands {
. friends, and one bright moonlight nigf
fTe dark figures sneaked ont of Il
, camp and into neighboring woo'
The fifth figure was that Of doctor I
Lexington. who had been let into Il
secret and consented to act in consi
Grafton Of a big fee for his services Z
every appearance the duel was TO be
tragic one. although ! thought at OF
time detected slight smirk in q
features Of the seconds, who were m
tual friends Of the determined prin,
pals
Measure of ten PAGES command
the doctor as he wiped a tiny stream
Missouri nicotine from his chin VII
kers The doctor was 70 act - mast
Of ceremonies The space was mel
ured.
Bring on the weapons" was {
next command The seconds broug
forth an old ominous-looixing bund
carefully wrapped up in oilcloth- Cal
Poor shuddered / was equally mel
Gus. Ugh, the weapons were evident
wicked sabers and il would be a dl
from which neither principal wO1
emerge alive. We took our places
PAGES apart and stood giaring at e
other. patiently waiting for the supp
ed swords TO be placed in our har
ready to pierce each others hearts.
Gentlemen. here are the weapoI
exclaimed the doctor. as two large ba
ball bats rolled out OF the oilcloth-
advanced and placed one in the han
Of each principal Mind gentlem
You are not 70 violate the rule 20 ks
ten PAGES apart Are you ready
Capt Poor and gazed at each 9th
~. s.-0-as ~-e~,a douh1ad m on
ground in commissions Of laughter E
the doctor smiled and 70 cap the
max. a silvery laugh from . woma
lsp< broke the stiffness Of the air as
fair cause Of the duel strobe onto
duelinr ground with eyes sparkling y
: mirth.
: Do be sensible, gentlemen, /