The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-10-13
A STRANGE
REVENGE.

eyes, said the old colonel, slowly,
81 have seen a 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.
admit, was rather peculiar.
SIT was in the days of the old south,
before the late unpleasantness. as you
northerners call it. and the colonel's 9
eyes had peculiar glow in them. "My
home was on large plantation in
Louisiana, and, with number of young
fellows, my time was spent in sports of
all kinds cards, 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.
"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
finger for the homage at which Polly
Graham laughed.
"But all this changed when Stuart
Hilton came home Hilton had been
graduated from northern 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
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 a well
come so cordial that saw LIE Moyne'
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 nc
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 was
constantly on the lookout for quarrel,
knowing as 1 did LIE Moyne's fiery tenn
per, although he was generous. manly
fellow enough.
s'The clash came one night. About a
dozen of us were coming home from q
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 sc
that it threw the rider heavily to the
ground.
"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'l
side and rode home with her.
"The next morning found LIE Moynt
all right. but furious against Hilton
whom he accused of Intentionally strik
ing his horse in order to secure the po
|
Hilton that day, he charged him will
the act, and on Hilton's prompt denia
gave him the lie Hilton's eye flashed
dangerously as he sprang forward, bu
we stepped between them. OF cours,
there was no alternative now but {
meeting, and the next morning at day
break saw small party of us on tn
smooth sward by the rivera famous
meeting ground. by the way.
81 was Hilton's second. and won tn
toss, which gave him the first shot. A
the word he fired, and we saw LIE Moyn
give slight start and drop his pistol
The bullet had struck his right arm
above the elbow. Returning the sho
was now out of the question. and whel
he realized this LIE Moyne turned t
Hilton and said mockingly, Il shal
claim my revenge some other time. MI
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 wooin
with Miss Graham, and they were mar
ried soon after, at which ceremony
acted as Stuart's best man, although i
nearly broke my heart to do it. Hiltol
bought place about so miles up tn
river. and with his lovely wife proceed
ed TO enjoy life.
well to shorten my story, it wa