The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1915-04-28
.AnEpisodeof
IHeCrescentC City
Bv WILLARD BLAKEMAN


leans, went to New York on business.
In the once Of a cotton broker In
New York was a boy named Alec Ira
cy, whose health was very delicate.
Indeed. the doctors had given him but
q short time to live. Tracy, who was
but fifteen years old, was assigned to
Dalmaitre to perform certain clerical
duties and carry messages during the
latter's stay In New York. Dalmaitre
was one of those men generous, sensi.
tive to their honor. that were typical
Of the south at that time. he took
pity on the boy and, suggesting that a
southern climate and a change of scene
might restore him to health. offered to
take him to New Orleans and give him
. position in his Office there.
Dalmaitre was a bachelor about forty
years old and soon after his return
from New York married a woman half
his age, celebrated for her beauty.
Gay society is usually encountered
with men who consider women a legit-
innate prey, though the standard Of
honor In this respect is doubtless high
or than 1t was. A scion of a noble
French house. Albert Durier. whose
father had left France during the revo-
luton to escape the guillotne. was at
that time prominent socially in New
Orleans and became devoted to Nine.
Dalmaitre. 1t was not long before bis
attentions were the subject of remark.
Dalmaitre was not himself socially
inclined, and his wife went about a
good deal without him. For this ree-
son he did not observe Durier being so
much with his wife. and there was no
one to caution him except Tracy The
young northerner was conscious Of the
fact that he owed his life to his bene-
factor and idolized him. When. there
fore, he noticed that Dalmaitre needed
a friend to warn him of the danger In
which his wife was being placed he
considered how he could do so with the
least damage to all concerned
But the more be thought about it
the more clearly he saw the difficulties
in the way. Not a word could be spo-
ken without bringing on a rupture in
Da1maitre's domestic relations. Tracy
believed that the wife was innocent.
but imprudent; that she needed to be
cautioned. possibly to be withdrawn
from the influence of her admirer.
This plan, too, he cast aside. Finally
he determined to settle the matter with
Durier, but In such a way that it would
not appear to pertain in any way to the
lady.
Meeting Durier at a ball. Tracy,
while both were dancing. Durier with
Nine. Dalmaitre, purposely showed him.
Durier cast an irritated glance at him.
but paid no further attention to the
matter. Tracy guided bis partner
again near Durier and brought about
another collision. This time he scowi-
ed at Durier. as if to accuse him of
being at fault in the matter.
AS soon as the music stopped the
two men went to another room, where
each accused the other Of purposely
running against him in the dance. Ira
cy was coolly abusive, tantalizing his
enemy into passion Finally the lat
ter at contemptuous remark of Ira
cy's turned on his heels with the
words You shall hear from me" and,
seeking a friend, sent a challenge by
him. The episode was witnessed by
several persons, who gave the cause
as it appeared on the surface.
Dueling at that time was the &C.
knowledged method among gentlemen.
especially in the south. of settling dis
putes, and there was a grove not far
from the Crescent City where the duels
took place 1t was arranged thar at
sunrise the next morning the parties
should meet at this grove and settle at
the pistols mouth which of the two
men had joggled the other in the dance.
Whether Durier suspected the real
cause did not appear.
But there was one person who saw
through Tracy's act and had learned
the consequences shortly after the
words that passed between the two
men. Tracy was living in bachelor
rooms at the time. and he had scarcely
got home from the ball when who
should appear but Nine. Dalmaitre.
This affair between you and Mr.
Durier must not take place. Why did
you not make your demands on me in
stead Of picking this quarrel with
himr
Il do not understand you, madame u
She looked at him keenly for time
then said. What do you wish me to
do?
Nothing"
my eyes have been opened. assure
you I am perfectly innocent. I will