The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-29
a ROMANCE OF CONDOLENCES.
Story of a Duel, Tickle Maiden and a
Library Book,
From the New York Mail aud Expr

From the New York Mail aud Express.
There is an odd little story connected
with the New \ ,ork society library which
is fully as interesting as the personality
of its patrons. The charter of the insti-
tuition was granted in 1772 by George Ill,
and in those days it was place of resort
by the fashionable people Of the town.
Some time after the war had ended a
young Englishman, who had been an
officer in the British army, and attached
10 Gen. Howe's staff, visited the library
to while away an idle hour. He became
absorbed in his book and did not notice
that he was being closely watched by a
man who sat near him. When he arose
to go he was followed to the door and
tapped on the shoulder
pardon me" said the stranger, "but
were you not soldier in her maiesty's
army some years ago, and were you not
engaged in a hand-to-hand encounter with
an American whom you left for dead on
the field on honor7"
81 remember the circumstances per
fectly," was the reply. "What do you
know of it,"
81 am the man with whom you fought,
and have to thank you for this" point
ing to an empty sleeve.
"One of US had to suffer-" was the
reply.
Il am aware of that" answered the
other, land l can forgive it, but | cannot
forgive or forget that you took from me
something more precious than my arm.
You robbed me of my affianced wife.
The story may be told briefly The
American was engaged to be married to a
beautiful girl, the daughter Of one of New
York's most prosperous merchants. She
was good and true, and the day for the
1aA enE Au.Vv 10
quarreled with the EnGlishman in place
Of public resort. The men were strangers
TO each other. A challenge followed, and
it was agreed to meet the next morning
at day break on the Jersey shore and fight
with rapiers The American went home
to arrange his affairs, and in the evening
called on his intended bride. His unusual
seriousness aroused her fears, and she
begged to know the cause. The young man,
after much entreaty told what he was to
do on the morrow The young woman
swooned, and when she recovered found
that her lover, fearing that he might be
dissuaded, had left her. She at once dis
patched trusty servant to visit the
various public houses for there weren't
many of them-and learn if possible the
place of rendezvous. The quest was sue
cessful, and at seven the next morning,
after sleepless night, the girl was at the
meeting place, but too late to interfere
The duel had already taken place, and
The Englishman and his friends were
gone, and she could not learn their ident-
ity. He was taken home and
nursed back to life and strength.
Some months later the young woman
met the Englishman at social gathering.
She did moi know him. nor did he know
her. The young man fell desperately in
love. In less than month the maiden's
heart had changed, and her affections
were transferred. When she gave up her
engagement ring and told the old lover the
name of the new one he shocked her by
the statement that the Englishman was
the man who had so nearly killed him.
There was great revulsion Of feeling.
The girl became ill, brain fever ensued,
and she died.
This was what the American referred
to when he met the Englishman in the
old library building. In his excitement
he had carried book which he had picked
up unwittingly to the door with him. and
overcome by the remembrance of his
wrongs, dashed it into the face of his en-
envy. The assault was so sudden that the
Englishman lost his balance and fell. His
head struck the wall and he became IN
conscious. The consta bleS came and took
him away When the attendants rushed
out to see what was the matter, they
picked up the book. One Of them looked
at the title page, and saw that it was
called 1.-THE Fate of the Inconstant,n and
it's author, whose name was not unknown,
was the mother of the girl who had Tilted
the American. The English officer was
so seriously injured by the fall that his
mind became impaired, and he died some
years after in private retreat for the
insane.