Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-19
. STRANGE
REVENGE.
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II nave seen Il lew Uuels; UOtu dS SeC-
ond and principal, but there is nothing
to tell unless you fellows care to hear of
LIE Moyne's left handed shot-that, l
admit, was rather peculiar.
at was in the days of the old south,
before the late unpleasantness, as you
northerners call it, and the colonels
eyes had peculiar glow in them. "My
home was ON a 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
a 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
he 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.
f'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 tome, held
out her hand and gave Hilton well
come so cordial that l 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 was
constantly on the lookout for quarrel,
knowing as 1 did LIE Moyne's fiery tenn
per, although he was generous, manly
fellow enough.
1.-The clash came one night. About
dozen of US were coming home from
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.
"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's
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's 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 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 out of the question, and when
he realized this LIE Moyne turned to
Hilton and said mockiDgly, 4 shall
claim my revenge some other time, Mr..
Hilton.
Whenever you please, replied Hill
ton, as we left the ground.
'tLe 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 I
acted as Stuart's best man, although it
nearly broke my heart to do it. Hilton
bought place about 30 miles up the
river, and with his lovely wife proceed
ed to enjoy life.
"Well TO shorten my story, it. was
about five years after Hilton left us that
was spending some little time with
lim at his home, when one day stran-
,er rode up to the veranda on which VIC
we're seated. and, bowing, asked for
'lr. Hilton.
"I am he, said Hilton courteously,
md taking the note which the other
handed him, he read it and passed it to
ne. 1t was brief and to the point
Mr.. Stuart Hilton:
''If you are willing to give mo my revenge.
lease follow the bearer and bring your pis-
Ols V. lie MoYNE.
"Hilton, begging pardon for his brief
bsence, stepped within the house and I
lmost Immediately came out with a