Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-04-30
AnEpisode Of
heCrescentC CITY
BY WILLARD BRAKEMAN

1t was about 1880 that Arnold Dali
maitre. a cotton factor of New Or
leans. went TO New York on business.
In the office 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
a short time Il 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 hin
a position in his office there.
Dalmaitre was Il bachelor about forty
years old and Don after his return
from New York married a woman half
his age. celebrated for her beauty.
Gag SOClctf . usually CAIu4iOCAC0
with men who consider women aalegit-
innate prey. though the standard of
honor In this respect Is doubtless high
er than 1t was. A scion of a noble
French house. Albert Durier. whose
father had left France during the v
luton to escape the guillotine. was at
that time prominent socially In New
| nrlaono onf o.,, dorAAaA f. Afraa
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 rea-
son he did not observe Durier being SO
much with bis wife. and there was no
n 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 he thought about it
the more clearly he saw the difficulties
in the way. Not a word could be sp0-
ken without bringing on a rupture In
Dalmaitre'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 possibly to be withdrawn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 1t 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 his partner
again near Durier md brought about
another collision. This time he scowi-
ed at Dnrier. ns II to accuse him OF
being at fault in the matter.
AS soon MS 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 a passion. Finally the lat
ter mt Il eontemptuous remark of Ira
cy's turned on his heels with the
words You shall heal from me- and.
seeking a friend. mi a challenge by
him. The episode was witnessed by
several persons. who gave the u
90 u rod mn fho cIrfaoo
Dueling at that time was the ac-
knowledged method among gentlemen.
especially in the south. OF settling dis
putes. and there was n grove not far
from the Crescent City where the duels
took place. Ii was arranged that at
sunrise the next morning the parties
should meet at this grove and settle at
the pistols mouth which OF the W
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 or me in
stead of picking this quarrel with
him?"
Il do not understand you. madame"
She looked at him keeniy for a time.
then said. What do you wish me to
do?-
Nothing
my eyes have been opened. fassnre
you l am perfectly innocent. ! will
agree never to receive your enemy
again. Apologize to him and end the
matter between you and him"
Are you aware that such a course
would cause me TO be u by every
friend haveg
"Oh. heavensr'