The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-06-08
A STRA:NGEl..::::9:::: e.
REVENGE.
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eyes" said the old colonel, slowly,
81 have seen few duels, both as Sec
ond and principal, but there is nothing
to tell unless you fellows care to hear of
LIE Moyne's left handed shot-that. I
admit, was rather peculiar.
ut was in the days of the old south,
before the late unpleasantness. as you
northerners call it," and the colonel
eyes had peculiar glow in them. ''My
home was on large plantation in
Louisiana. and, with a number of young
fellows, my time was spent in sports Of
all kinds horses and sometimes
worse. Our plantation adjoined that of
Judge Graham. whose daughter Polly
was the belle of the country, and, let
me tell you. that was boast in those
days. 81 ''.... :~.-.
"All the boys were dead in love with
Polly. but none could boast of any ia
vor unless it was Victor LIE Moyne.
Who. perhaps. was oftenest with her on
her rides LIE Moyne was handsome,
naughty fellow. He rode superbly, and
half the girls around would have given
a finger for the homage at which Polly
Graham laughed. ~. o. H..
''But all this changed when Stuart
Eiltcn came home Elton Lad been
graduated from nCrti ern college, and
for two years had been seeing Europe
He lived ten miles from Us, and before
be went to college had been my especial
chum. Consequently, on his return, his
first call was on me, and, after we had
exchanged "reminiscences. we rode to
Judge Graham's.
''Riding up the long avenue which
led to the house, we could hear talk and
laughter, and found half dozen Of the
boys grouped around Miss Polly, who
was exchanging her bright remarks for
their duller ones and getting them more
hopelessly in her tolls every moment. On
our arrival she rose, and with bright
nod and laughing word to me, held
out her hand and gave Hilton well
come so cordial that saw LIE Moyne's
face darken angrily, although the next
second he was greeting Stuart smiling
ly, as were all the rest.
''From that day it was apparent Ito
me, at least) that the rest of US had no
chance at all with Polly Graham. Hill
ton was constantly with her. Even LIE
Moyne was no longer favored, although
he was as assiduous as ever in his at
tentions. Between Hilton and LIE Moyne
everything seemed peaceful, but I was
constantly on the lookout for quarrel,
knowing asI did LIE Moyne's fiery tenn
per, although he was generous, manly
fellow enough.
"The clash came one night. About a
dozen of us were coming home from a
dance at neighboring plantation, and
LIE Moyne was riding beside Miss Polly.
when some one in the party struck his
horse smart cut, making it plunge so
that it threw the rider heavily to the
ground.
1--WE dismounted and found LIE Moyne
with whole bones, but SO badly bruised
that we had to carry him home, while
Hilton took his place at Miss Graham g
side and rode home with her.
"The next morning found LIE Moyne
all right, but furious against Hilton,
whom he accused of Intentionally strik-
ing his horse in order to secure the po-
sition beside Miss Graham. Meeting
Hilton that day, he charged him with
the act, and ON Hilton prompt denial
gave him the lie. Hilton's eye flashed
dangerously as he sprang forward. but
we stepped between them. OF course
there was no alternative now but a
meeting, and the next morning at day
break saw small party of us on the
smooth sward by the rivera famous
Meeting ground, by the way.
81 was Hilton's second, and won the
toss, which gave him the first shot. At
the word he fired. and we saw LIE Moyne
give slight start and drop his pistol.
The bullet had struck his right arm
above the elbow Returning the shot
was now ont of the question. and when
he realized this LIE Moyne turned to
Hilton and said mockingly, I shall
claim my revenge some other time. Mr..
Hilton.
Whenever you please, replied Hill
ton, as we left the ground.
"Le Moyne left the country soon aft
er the affair. Hilton pursued his wooing
with Miss Graham, and they were mar
ried soon after, at which ceremony |
acted as Stuart's best man, although it
nearly broke my heart to do it. Hilton
bought place about 80 miles up the
river, and with his lovely wife proceed
ed to enjoy life.
'Well to shorten my story, it was