Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-02-12
A STRANGE DUEL.

hearts OF those who had been too young
TO serve in the war. Between my
friends the challenge was passed. and
duel had to be fought
was fondly attached to both, and,
although had not been chosen as a
second | felt close personal interest
in the affair. and employed my Efforts
Intellectually to stop it. The meeting
was TO occur on certain morning at
sunrise. On the night preceding it, l
found myself unable TO sleep, SO deep
was the sorrow that beset ne. Ac-
cordingly, about eleven o'clock, l Left
my bed, dressed myself. and went out
for walk
1t was in March. The wild plums
were in bloom, and the clear sky was
filled with the soft radiance OF full
moon; a sweeter night never was sent
upon the earth. / walked for miles
along the beautiful and lonely lanes,
noting the banks OF Cherokee roses
making ready TO burst into blossom ia
the hedges.
But could think clearly OF nothing
but duels; and out of the list which
which encompassed me fully. Years
ago when | was child. there lived
with Us a handsome, dashing young
NANNY mothers brother-whoua
we children idolized. In the neigh
borhood was another young man-his
friend; and by some unhappy fatality
these two untamed spirits fell apart,
and duel came Of it. My uncle was
the victor. for his antagonist fell,
with n bullet in his heart; but what a
fearful victory was that! 1t had been
kept a secret till all was over; and
then my father was bowed with shame
and my mother with grief. Upon the
whole community rested dark cloud.
and at the funeral many an unaccus-
toned tear was shed. Ny uncle left
the country and had a strange history
but that is irrevelant here.
All the details Of this terrible trar-
edy passed in review before me- I
was thinking upon it and grieving
dumbly over it when
stop, there" quietly and firmly
commanded voice before me.
| halted and there in the full light
OF the moon. stood the cloaked figure
OF man. His attitude was menac-
ing. His slouch-hat was drawn low
down over his face and his long
cloak covered his form completely.
Still there was something in his pose
and in the tone of his voice that re-
called almost forgotten memories.
What do you want / asked. Il
have very little money. but"
He made a gesture OF scorn. 1T is
not money | want" he answered; lit
is duel with you.
was not so badly frightened as |
would have expected myself to be-;
and not beng much afraid, | had my
wits at command.
"A duel?" | asked smiling. Men
fight only after quarrel and TO
evenge an insult l am not aware
that there has boon any trouble be-
tween you and me.
Not directly" he replied; but
remotely there has been"
Explain yourself p"
ELEVEN years ago. your uncle
killed me in duel. want satisiac-
tion from you for that"
The substance OF the challenge was
so absurd that could only laugh. and
then | gave vent TO little ralllery.
lit seems to me-" | said. that ny
uncle himself would be the propca
person 20 challenge"
(His answer 10 this must declike to
print. 1t is sufficient to say that it
was satisfactory explanation of my an
taGonists course in declining 10 chal-
lenge him. 1t was clear enough that
was the only male relative OF my
uncle who could stand in his place in
this particular emergency
Strange to say. regarded the affair
as serious. Even though the stranger
might not be the ghost OF the dead
man (and l did not believe he wasl,
but was taking this way TO frighten
me, and perhaps have some sport out
OF me for the amusement Of compan-
ions he might have in hiding close at
hand, felt that in any event l must
fight him. A spirit OF recklessness
came upon me, and yet the absurdity
OF it all was apparent
81 am willing TO fght you" / :aid;
"but you must reflect that a duel with
pistols cannot be fought without Sec
.onds.
II an so well aware OF the fact" he
replied with bmiie. that I have
brought swords Upon that he pro-
duced from underneath his cloak IA
bag from which protruded two sword
handles.
All difficulties being cleared away. he
slipped the bag from the weapons and
exposed two beautiful rapiers. II so
happened that I'was something of an
expert in the handling of this weapon.
for from the foil to the rapier is an
easy step.
Before accepting one OF the profTered
weapons, threw OF my coat and my
antagonist dropped his cloak Then
n vory strange spectacle fell upon my
visa.,, .or whereas the man had been
all black he was white now. and
luminosity was emitted from him. We