The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1915-02-05
AnEpisodeo Of
heCrescentC City
Bv WILLARD BLAKEMAN

mulCFe. Il cOClOu ldCtOr VI view VT
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 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 hin
a position in his Office there.
Dalmaitre was a bachelor about forty
years old and oon 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
er than 1t was. A scion of a noble
French house. Albert Durier. whose
father had left France during the revo-
luton to escape the guillotine. was at
that time prominent socially in New
Orleans and became devoted to Nine.
Dalmaitre. 1t was not long before his
attentions were the subject OF remark
Dalmaitre was not himself socially
inclined. and his wife went about a
good deal without MIN For this rea-
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 ne
considered how he could do so with thu
least damage to all concerned.
But the more be thought about 1t
the more clearly he saw the difficulties
in the way. Not q word could be spO.
ken without bringing on a rupture IN
Dalmaitre's domestic relations. Tracy
believed that the wife was innocent.
but imprudent: that she needed t be
cautioned. possibly to be withdrawn
from the influence Of her admirer.
This plan. too. he asst 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 4 ball. Tracy.
while both were dancing. Durier with
Nine. DaImaitre. purposely showed him.
Durier cast an irritated glance at him.
but paid no further attention to the
matter. Tracy guided his partner
again neal Durier and brought about
another collision. This time be scowi-
ed at Durier. as II to accuse him Ut
being ut fault in the matter.
As soon us the music stopped the
two e rent to another room. where
each accused the other Of purpOsely
running against him in the dance. IRA
cy was cOOlly abusive. tantalizing MS
enemy into u passion. Finally the lat
ter at Il cOntemptuous remark Of Ira
cy's turned ON his heels with the
words you shall hear from me" and.
seeking q friend. sent a challenge Dy
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 vas a grove not far
from the Crescent City where the duels
took place. 1t was arranged that at
sunrise the next morning the parties
should nee 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
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
him?'
II do not understand you. madame"
She looked at him keenly for a time.
then said. What do you wish me to
do?"
Nothing"
MY eyes have been opened. l assnre
you | 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 q course
would cause me to be q by every
friend I have?"
'Oh. ~heavens!"
"You fear that the real cause Of the
quarrel will be learned BY the world"
Il do"
'very well. I will send an apology
- ns~oA~> - N~~NN 10"