Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-12

sup to repeat the word as he would give
it, and while in the act of doing so and
Mr.. Randolph adjusting the butt of his
pistol to his hand, the muZZle pointing
downward and almost to the ground. it
fred Instantly Mr.. Randolph turned to
that hair trigger Col. Tatnall took
blame to himself for having sprung the
hair.
This untimely fire, though clearly an
accident. necessarily gave rise to some
remarks and a species of inquiry. Whicn
vas conducted with the utmost delicacy.
bit which in itself was OF nature to
| IL ineNpress.ply painful to a gentleman ;
i2eIngs. Mr.. Clay stopped il with tie
generous remark that the fire was clearly
Gn accident, and il was so unanimously
s.e. Jared. Another pistol was Immediately
furnished and exchange of shots took
place. ard happily. without effect upon
he persons. Nj. Handolnh,s bullet struck
ihe stump behind MIR. Clay, and NJ.
slav's Knocked up tle Garth and gravel
behrd MI Randolph and in a line with
the ievei-cf mis- hips. both bullets having
| gone so true and close that it was mar
Ncl how they missed.
The moment had come for rue to in
| terpose. / went in among the parties aud
| offered my mediation, but nothing could
he done Mr.. Clay said. with that wave
OF the hand with which he was accus-
toned to put away a trif1e: This is child s
play' and required another fire.
Glad Debt Was No Greater.
1.-THE. seconds were directed to reload.
| I withdrew little way into the woods,
and kept my eyes fixed on Mr.. Randolph,
| whom I then knew to be the only one in
danger | saw him receive the fire or
Mr.. Clay, saw the gravel knocked up In
| the same pace, saw Mr.. Randolph raise
| his pistol discharge 1t in the air, heard
In do fire MIR cav
! Immediately advancing and Offering his
| hand.
'''They met half way. shook hands, Mr..
| Randolph saying, jocosely:. You owe me
| a coat Mr. Clay Che bullet had passed
| through the skirt OF the coat very near
| the hip). to which Mr.. Clay promptly and
| happily replied: 4 am glad the debt is no
| greater
| tations to Senator Benton, it was COM
| mon gossip for years that Mr.. Randolph
| was determined to force a duel with Mr..
| Gay and Mr.. Ogle Tayloe. "A prominent
! resident of Washington, who built and
| lived in the house on Lafayette Square
now occupied by the Commercial Club,
quoted Mr.. Randolph SAYING that he
preferred TO be killed by MIR. Clay than
! any other DEATH Mr. Tayioe said that
| Mr. Randolph was so persistent in his
! attempts to force Mr.. Clay into duel
| that the latter made up his mind II must
| come sooner or later and decided to is
sue the challenge himself.
| Mr. Tayloe relates that he was playing
| whist one night with Mr.. Randolph. MIR.
| Clay, Edward Lloyd, then a senator
| from Maryland. and Gov. Gibbs of Rhode
| Island when Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Randolph
| were partners. Notwithstanding that
| fact Mr.. Randolph afterward insisted
| that he had won $40 from Mr.. Clay and
publicly reminded him of it in a most
| insulting manner. Mr.. Clay was con-
WINGED that Mr. Randolph expected him
| to repudate the debt and thus provoke
| quarrel, but paid him the money in
| stantly and remarked to Mr.. Tayloe:
| IT cannot afford to quarrel with him
| and I must be beyond reproach myself"
Deliberately Insults Clay.
| On another occasion, when Mr.. Clay
i In oi,ai az fha of