Graham guardian. [volume] (Safford, Ariz.) 1895-1923, 1911-07-07
n Bayou That Was Larger
"A Than the Mississippi.

Than the Mississippi.
lCopyright 1909, by American Press Asso'
ciation.1
There Is a part Of the present Cit!
Hall park in New Orleans which was
formerly called the Oaks and was
famous dueling ground. Lying on the
noted shell road to Lake Pontchartrain.
not far from the city. yet deserted.
afforded a convenient spot for the du-
els so frequent among the creoles.
Often when two rivals wished &c
conceal the cause Of their quarrel tney
would invent reasons, usually absurd
| For instance, one would declare that
the others hair was red when 1t was
raven black or that the sun revoiveo
around the earth instead OF vice versa.
It was during winter somewhere
about 1850 that Miss Caroline Dickin'
son. visiting her aunt, Mime. La Tour,
in New Orleans. took the place social
" by storm. Though beautiful. her
character. set, 80 to speak, In her
charming manners, won the hearts OF
many of the young bloods OF the
Crescent City. Among them were
CASTOR THommedieu, recently from
Paris, and Eliot whitford. whose fa-
Their had originally gone there from
virginia, Neither could feel any comb
dence In having secured the lady's Ia
vor, but each. was jealous ct the other.
The truth was that Miss Dickinson
preferred Mr.. Whitford.
One morning about 2 o'clock Mme'
In Tour entered her nieces bedroom.
They had been to some entertainment,
had sat up late talking It over and had
few minutes before parted for the
night. Miss Dickinson had begun to
disrobe.
1 my dear" said her aunt. "your IN
Gle has just come in from the club
with some news which may interest
you. M. L'Hommedieu and M. Whit
ford are going to meet at 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 killedr'
ut would facilitate your making
choice between them" replied her
, aunt.
'They shall not fight on my ac-
count" replied Miss Dickinson. I'm
going on to the ground to stop them
"AloneT
"No, aunt; you are going with me-"
An hour later a caleche driven by
Mime. 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.
. It was distinguishable at any time.
) Just as faint streak appeared In the
: east the caleche entered the Oaks and
, pulled up near what had often been
pointed out to Mime. La Tour as the
e dueling ground Presently carriagc
rolled up to the historic spot. followed
by another. and by the early twilight
two parties Of men were seen confer.
!, ring as to the placing Of the principals
/ in the coming fight.
r who's the man with the box under
his arm r asked Miss Dickinson.
'.Dr. Jules Rubidoux. He Is always
;, called upon on such occasions"
Z Heavens! How horrible! What
s abominabls customs you have here
And the man with the bundle OF
sticks-who is her,
q 'Those are not sticks; they are "a
n piers. See. the principals are taking
i position"
The two women alighted and walked
cautiously toward the duelists. Th'
y oaks still cast sufficient shadow t.
J. conceal their advance. Suddenly q:
o there was a 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
e piers and stood looking at her with MS
e constituent.
"Gentlemen." she said. may I asl
a the occasion Of this meetingr'
= There was no reply for time; thel
: one Of the seconds stepped forwar'
:. and, bowling profoundly. said:
M. LHommedieu. mademoiselle, ha
N asserted that the Seine Is larger thai
! the Mississippi. This NJ. Whitford cor
i sidered an insult to our noble rive
" and replied that the Bayou Lafourcli
: Is larger than the Seine. Thereupo
0. NJ. L'Hommedieu In defense Of la bell
REVERE of France challenged NJ. Whit
IN ford"
to II am astonished," said Miss Dickir
:, son, that two gentlemen should qual
- rel about such an absurdity. Q
course the Seine Is not larger than tn
Mississippi"
or "Mademoiselle," said L'Hommedie,
+. II accept your decision. IL you ais
. decide that the Bayou Lafourche
~ larger than the Seine, will apologize
to NJ. Whitford."
"And II I decide that the Seine
w larger than the bayouT
r. THAT, mademoiselle, should col
:. slider great blessing"
- "And this affair will cease"
" That is for NJ. Whitford to say"
s. "And how would you decide that
en- asked the lady. turning to Whltford.
n rHew would decide that7 Why.
m should then feel obliged to enforce N
,d opinion In favor Of the bayou At Il
-" point OF the sword"
"Nonsenser'
4 - Nsxnl