The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-29
Mississippi Captain and a
SpanIaTd Engage In a Duel.
PILLS WERE WEAPONS USED.
The Sssont Rsunl hsVsd Fatal, iAl There
Was q nasiy Burial Ia Tho
River At Night.


gamblers i'm tho South and the middl
West died the other day in the city hos
pital at indianapolis, says the Phiiadel
phia Press. Although during his life b
had won and lost a score OF fortunes. .ha,
MS friends not come 10 his rescue at III
last-he would have been buried I'm an un
marked grave In the citys pauper feid
The old man was Capt. James G.. Cal
vert. known from ST. Louis 20 New Or
leans, I'm every city and town up an,
down the Mississippi river rs Captain
jim"
lie was acquainted with all the old
time. ante-bellum card players of Tho
south and there was no place OF any i'm
portance In the middle North that had
not at some time received a visit from
the old-school gambler and gentleman OF
fate and fortune.
Although Calvert, by the nature OF his
hfe, encountered a number OF adventures.
perhaps tho strangest that the old man
related came 10 light in n conversation
just month before his death. lie rath-
er regretted telling the story he said af-
terward, for he was not certain but some
OF the principals lived.
calvert himself figured in the adyen-
ture' and. being still a young man at the
time OF Its occurrence-isGO-it made q
profound impression on his mind
IN the DAYS preceding the war. one OF
the hanGsomest boats plying between
New Orleans and St Louis was under the
command of Capt Albert Haskell. AL
thongh few, outside OF one or two friends
knew Capt HaskelTs life story. IL was
generally rumored that he was the scion
OF well-known English family which
still resides on it's broad estates I'm Sur
rcy
HASKELL WAS AN ARIsToCRAT.
Being younger son, Haskell had been
educated for the ministry, but course
at oxford had undermined the young
mans health, and he had been sent 10
MADRID to recuperate. There Haskell
met young spsniard of his own age
ana OF noble parentage, and the two be-
came fast friends.
had plighted his troth to a distant co,Is-
IN. and, during his residence i'm Spaln. IN.
had communicated regularly with her.
Naturally his friend soon learned All
about the girl. so that when IL was ar
ranged that the Spaniard should visit
Haskell at his English home. the young
don needed no Introduction TO HaskelTs
iiancee.
After the Spaniard had been with Has
"A nr It
mat ne had fallen In love with the Young
" oman The Englishman, however
ohndly trusted his friend and the woman
ne loved. nut the senior had A different
standard OF honor; he betrayed daskels
cohndence and won the English girls
heart.
II was only short time before Has
KEN made the discovery, but he hoped
mat his fiancee would find her affection
Tor the senor nothing stronger than an
nfaiuation easily broken
Coming one day suddenly upon the two
axchanging professions of love, Haskea.
lowever, abandoned all hope. His ar
lection, nevertheless, would not hermit
lim 70 call the trcschcrous Spsnisrd to
ircodnt. he leved the girl, and preferred
% ieave Eng.anu and bide his t!g,ie rath-
= than ruin her life by wreaking ven
scarcc on the don.
lie set sail for America, and made his |
way 10 ST. Louis, where he took service |
IN ri"er boat and finally was placed I'm
Command OF the vessel
Haskell had been here for 10 years or |
more when Calvert first met him. The |
wo became close friends, but Capt Has |
ell maintained his secret
shortly before the war. however Cal |
ert wss aboard his friends boat on Its
'ay from New Orleans to ST. Louis. The
essel lslt the whs-f at the Southern city
" ono cf che perfect DAYS that come 10 |
ne Sooth In the early summer time.
aWori was standing In the growing
Wight on the deck when Haskell. who
az been searching for him below. came |
. his side
calvert he said. Il want you TO de-
yer this letter 60 the gentleman I'm state
lon IL Hand IL To him at midnight"
haGkell spoke under great strain. A.
'eined, and IL was only with difficulty
lst Calvert could understand him. His
p'ce seemed hollow,bui ring of cruelty
aoNed in the tones that sent n laggard I
iestion TO the messengers lips.
ifaskell, however. turned on his heel
nd went To the pilot house leaving cal
srt with the letter and Instructions
Al midnight the Young gambler knock
! az the door OF stateroom IL, and. I'm
1swer, soft. masculine voice bsde hin, |
H'r. The occupant OF the room was "a !
", stately man. with swarthy complex
n. and dark hair and eyes
CHALLENGED THE sPANIARD.
Calvert handed him the enveiope: tbe !
an sruiled tore n open. and. with n cyn- |
al expression playing about his lips.
ad tac Enclosure. Turning to The gam
er he sn,d:
Tell your friend ! have been expecting
is lie asks mo 10 bring companion
"a come with YOU 10 his stateronm \
= cnmpnnion IS IN the next apartment. |
coll him and 30 with you 81 once,
Nhen 'he third man came. the trio |
lde its way 90 the captains quarters
,pt Haskell, pale, but Arm, rose from | ,
3 chair and bowed 20 the two stranger.
ic uiotioncd them TO chairs about the /,
nior table. and. remaining standing