The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-02-28

II TetuTHeu 10 the DaFTackS ueLeT-
mined not to lose any sleep on ac-
count Of the affray.
Next morning before school hour
| received note from my opponent.
In reading it. found it to be nothing
more nor less than a challenge to set
tie our difficulties by duel.
THE DUEL.
This challengs SO much surprised
me and at the same time infuriated
me. that turned the note and wrote
on the back these words: Accepted.
Being the party challenged. have the
right to select the weapons to be
used. Let them be bowie knives.
Will meet you and your seconds on
tomorrow night at ~ O'Clock sharp,
on Boiling Green, under the hiy oak,
Just in front of the Female Seminary
LIN few hours this profound Sc
cret had been whispered to mum ber
Of the students. My opponents and
the day and all arrangements were
made for all parties concerned to be
promptly at the place on the hour
specified in my acceptance OF the
challenge.
"Accordingly, just as the great
clock in the city hall announced the
midnight hour. two small groups of
silently in the direction of Boiling
Green.
"The full moon was high in the hori-
Zon and ever and anon a silver-linpd
cloud silently and rapidly passed
| across the armament, as if intent on
not witnessing the bloody tragedy be-
low which would soon follow.
The groups met beneath the great
oaks, as per appointment. The sec
ing surgeon, made ready for the trv=
ing ordeal.
MY opponent and myself were
stripped to the waist, and when
brought to confront each other stood
wit h a keen knife in hand, which gilt
tered in the moonlight.
..In these few critical moments
myriads of thoughts came rushing
| through my brain-those of my mother
and those of the girl intended to die
for were Of the greatest import.
HEROIC END.
"A handkerchief was thrown by one
Of the seconds and The bloody work
began. With my left arm and hand |
knocked off the vicious blows of my
| opponent as best l could. intent on
not killing him. if possible, but At the
| same time deliver him a blow which
would fell him TO the ground. While
this sparring was going on each of us
were wounded, how badly did not
| know. At this moment. not twent V
PAGES from us, I discovered a little
female figure attired in white. moving
| rapidly toward us, and without d
sound this figure rushed between these
two irate duelists. We fell back at
her approach and stood spell-bound
in our tracks. with bloody knives held
firmly in our grasps. While the mys-
| terious peacemaker stood with up
that she was attired in her nighi's
dishabille, her long black hair fell in
heavy tresses over her shoulders. hel
air that of one intermingled with
determination and solicitude.
| "rhe first words that came from
her lips were: Gentlemen, l know
this trouble has occurred all on my
account, and | beg of you to desist.
|. of course knew that this was none
other than the daughter of the presi
dent of the college, who, being in at
| tendance at the Female Seminary no,
far away, had discovered what was
happening on the green and resolved
to stop it if she could, which she die
in a most heroic manner. l know. tt
my own satisfaction, and l guess te
that of my opponent.
| "For weeks afterward the entire
community was all agog concerning
this affair, but as years rolled on o'el
the surface of time it was almost for
gotten, but today l wear scars which
| will carry to my grave. ever remind
ing me of that awful night and of M,
college days in old Virginia."