The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-03-05
A Bayou That Was Larger
Than the Mississippi.

There is part of the present City
Hall park iu New Orleans which was
formerly called the Oaks and was a
famous duellng ground. Lying on the
noted shell road to Lake Pontchartrain,
not far from the city, yet deserted, II
Afforded convenient spot for the du-
els so frequent among the creoles.
often when two rivals wished to
conceal the cause Of their quarrel they
would invent reasons, usually absurd.
For instance, one would declare that
the others hair was red when II was
raven black or that the sun revolved
around the earth instead of vice versa.
II was during a winter somewhere
about 1850 that Miss Caroline Dickin.
son, visiting her aunt, Nine. La Tour,
In New orleans. took the place social
ly by storm. Though beautiful, her
charming manners, won the hearts Of
many OF the young boOds OF the
Crescent City. Among them were
CASTOR HHommedieu, recently from
Paris, and Eliot Whltford, whose fa-
ther had originally gone there from
Virginia. Neither could feel any conf.
dence I'm having secured the lady's IA
vor, but each was Jealous Of the other
The truth was that Miss Dickinson
preferred Mr. Whltford.
One morning about o'clock Nine.
La Tour entered her nlece's bedroom.
They had been to some entertainment,
had sat up late talking 1t over and had
a few minutes before parted for the
night Miss Dickinson had begun to
disrobe.
"Aiy DEAR" said her aunt. "your un-
Gle has just come in from the club
with some news which may interest
you. NJ. L'Hommedieu and NJ. Whit
ford are going TO meet at 4 o'clock
dawn--at the Oaks. and you are the
cause Of the meeting"
"The news does interest me-" re-
piled the girl, with dismay. Suppose
one Of them should be killedp
"It would facilitate your making
choice between them" replied her
aunt.
IVY ouull ilul uEuJ WI uN-
count" replied Miss Dickinson. I'm
going on TO the ground to stop them"
"Alonep
mo, aunt; you are going with me-"
An hour later caleche driven by
Nine. La Tour, containing the two wo.
men, was speeding along the shell road
The moon, which was three-quarters
full, rendered the road less difficult to
follow at night. though. being white
IL was distlngulshable at any time.
Just as n faint streak appeared in the
east the caleche entered the Oaks and
pulled mp near what had often been
pointed out to Nine La Tour as the
duellug ground. Presently carriage
rolled up to the historic spot. followed
by another.S and 10y the early twilight
two parties Of men were seen confer
ring as to the placing Of the principals
in the coming fight.
"Who's the man with the box under
his armT" asked Miss Dickinson.
"Dr. Jules Rubldoux. He is always
called upon on such occasions"
"Heavensl How horrlble What
abominable customs you have here!
And the man with the bundle OF
stlcks-who Is hef'
Those are not sticks; they are ra-
piers. See, the principals are taking
position"
The two women alighted and walked
cautiously toward the duelists. The
oaks stlll cast sufficient shadow to
conceal their advance. Suddenly as
there was clash of steel Miss Dick
inson, walking in advance OF her aunt.
appeared on the scene Both contest
ants lowered the points OF their ra-
piers and stood looking at her with as
constituent
Gentlemen" she said. "may I ask
the occasion of this meetlng?"
There was no reply for n time; then
one OF the seconds stepped forward
and, bowling profoundly. said:
M. LHommedieu. mndemoiselle, has
asserted that the Seine is larger than
the Mississippi This NJ. Whltford con
sidered an insult TO our noble river
and replied that the Bayou LAfourche
IS larger than the Seine. Thereupon
NJ. LfIommedieu in defense of la belle
REVERE Of France challenged NJ. Whit
ford"
II am astOnished," said Miss Dickln-
son, that two gentlemen should quar-
rel about such an absurdity. or
course the Seine is not larger than the
Mississippi"
"Mademolselle" said L'Hommedleu,
Il accept your decision. If you also
decide that the Bayou Lafourche is
larger than the Seine, will apologies
to NJ. Whitford."
"And If | decide that the Seine is
larger than the bayouY
"That, mademoiselle, should con-
slider great blessing"
And this affair will cease?
"That is for NJ, Whitford TO say"
"And how would you decide thatT
asked the lady, turning to Whltford.
How would decide that? Why, ]
should then feel obliged TO enforce my
opinion in favor Of the bayou at the
point Of the sword"
"Nonsensel'
The two men, as If by mutual con-
sent, raised their swords for the pur-
% ...g.