The record-union., 1893-04-01
A PHOTOGRAPH ON The BRAIN.
Written for the RECoRD-UN1oN by VIM.
Caswell RUSSELL

Written for the RECoRD-UNIoN by VIM.
Caswell Russell
Once in my life left my home in the
cool, gray dawn of an autumn morning,
and TRANQUILITY went on my way to quiet
and secluded spot on the banks of the
Columbia River to kill a man.
Another man, equally as calm and de-
termined as myself, left his home about
the same time, and proceeded to the same
spot for the same purpose.
We were rivals.
He had challenged me to fight a duel,
and being in desperate strait, brought
on by the complication of my love affair,
] acted hastily on the impulse of the
moment and accepted with all the sang
froid of an old and experienced duelist
After several days had passed, and 1
was allowed ample time for reflection, |
censured myself on the rash course l had
taken and sent him note stating that
after thoughfully considering the matter
/ had come to the conclusion that we had
better try and devise some other way of
settling our little affair of honor than re-
sorting to means that were in opposition
to the laws of the country, and would
only end in the death of one or perhaps
both of us.
This note, written with good intent and
aimed TO bring about more satisfactory
and less dangerous settlement OF our
difficulties, brought down such a TRADE
of insulting terms from my rival that |
forgot the bounds of reason and good
Judgment and flew into passion that
rendered me more like a fiend than a
human being. l did not rave and rant as
most men do under similar circum-
stances, but l quietly and calmly swore
to be avenged, and without any outward
show ofemotion | eagerly waited for the
day when | would have an opportunity
of meeting him alone and make him
suffer the penalty of death for the insults
he had heaped upon me. II will go
down to the banks of the Columbia with
him." 1 said to myself, and l will send a
bullet crashing through his brain, and
there the matter will end. 1 will be the
victor at last, and then l will fly to her
and we will be happy"
The details of this impromptu duel,
brought about by the indiscretion of two
love-sick men, We're quickly arranged
1t was agreed upon that there should be
no doctors, no seconds, no witnesses. We
were to meet at certain spot on the
banks of the Columbia River at a certain
time, and our little affair of honor-ol
rather, of revenge-was to be satisfactor-
lily settled by the killing of one, or per
haps both of us.
Even now l remember how cool was
during all the proceedings, and when
arose on the morning of the duel l was
calm and collected. In my eagerness to
kill my rival, l even forgot the woman
loved-the woman for whose sake l was
about to run the risk of losing my life
There was but one thought in my mind,
and that was to Kill my adversary. l had
gone so far as TO picture the smallest and
most insignificant "details of the tragedy
in my mind-how he would stand before
me, pale and trembling, and how be
would wildly throw his arms in the all
above mis- head when the bullet from my
revolver had pierced his brain; and how
after the last signs of life had disappeared
/ would drag his limp form down to the
river. and letting it drop to the blue
waters below, watch it disappear from
view forever.
When the morning of the duel arrived
! was on the spot long before the time
agreed upon. My rival was but few
minutes behind me, for l had been there
but a short time when l saw him ap-
preaching. OF all the things | have dis
tinct recollection of prior to this duel,
think this is the most vivid. To this day
can see his tall form, erect and stately
moving along, not in a reckless way, as
had done, but cautious and slow. His
head was slightly bowed, as if in deer
meditation, and while he was yet some
distance from me he took bright little
weapon from his pocket and examined il
closely as he walked along. This re-
minded me of the fact that 1 had ne.
elected an important point, and made 9
careful examination OF my revolver, ano