Year: 1873

/
Quoted the contests Of the bar created
no bitterness or animosity. They con-
tinued friends until they became great
partisan leaders-until polluting inhu-
ences OF their politics. their collision as
rival statesmen, created that relentless
antagonism which eliminated in the
tragic scene when Hamilton fell by the
hand Of Burr, in The most famous duel
in history-a duel which doomed its sur
vivor to obloquy and reproach which he
never outlived, and which, with the al
legged treason for which he was tried and
acquitted in 1907, ostracised him from
his rank among the great men Of the
nation.


At the time Burr is introduced TO the
reader he had long since drank Of the
Marah Of the waters Of disappointment
and sorrow-had long labored at the
task of Sysyphis-the mountain and
rock.


II was Theodosia, his daughter, so
lovely, so pure, so intellectual, so
naughty, and yet so soft and gentle, that
opened to Aaron Burr the brightest page
in this blotted volumeppfhis life. " She
was nearly complete realization OF his
ideal OF womanl" Upon her he Law
ished the wealth Of soul that over
flowed with secret tenderness. Long
after his fall from power she was the
solitary star, shining in beautiful luster
over the darkened and rough pathway
of his life.


During his trial for high treason at
Richmond, in 1907, Theodosia, then the
brilliant leader OF society in the most
aristocratic city in the South-the wife
Of Joseph Aston, distinguished citi-
zen of South Carolina-by her devotion,
sagacity and influence, powerfully aided
her fathers defense. In the darkest
hour of that memorable legal drama she
eyinced her deep affection in language
as heroic as it was beautiful: my van
ity," said she, would be greater il |
had not been placed so near you; and
yet my pride is our relationship. | had
rather not live than not be the daughter
Of such a man"


A few years after the Richmond trial,
which resulted in a victory for Burr,
Theodosia met fate which is still en-
veloped in gloom and mystery. At the
close of the year 1872 she sailed from
Charleston in vessel bound for New
York, for the purpose of visiting her
father. Her husband was then Governor
of South Carolina. Though he provided
everything conducive to her safety and
comfort which wealth and influence
could command, the vessel never reached
its destination; was never heard from
after leaving the Charleston harbor. At
last all hope ended; the certainty that
Theodosia was dead came home to
them, and Aaron Burr was bereaved as
few have ever been bereaved-left to a
life all winter, war within himself to
wage" Still, the properties Of mind,
stern, accomplishing and calm, pro-
found, scheming, subtle and powerful in
tellect sustained him; and while the mu-
sings of his solitude became votive
offering to the dead-a rightful homage
to their memory-he retained supe-
riority among men and brilliancy at the
bar. He was endowed by nature with
the power of gaining ascendancy over
those with whom he was brought in con
tact. Whenever he desired to please he
could exercise Establishments which
none but Aaron Burr ever possessed.
Then he had attractions for all-smiles
for the SILENT deep attention for the
loquacious, badinage for the gay, SEN
timent for the grave, and romance for
the young.


Colonel Burr was compelled to remain
at Utica for several days. During his
stay he divested himself of that reti-
cence and coldness which usually char
acterized his intercourse with strangers,
and became a general favorite with the
members of the bar who were present.


One afternoon a number of young
lawyers amused themselves by shooting
at target with pistols. As the exer-
cises continued long after the adjourn
mept of court for the day, many law
yers and others who were attending
court assembled to witness the sport.
Among the deeply interested spectators |
was Colonel Burr While keenly watch
ing the effect of each shot, two young
lawyers who had been engaged in shoot
leg, approached him.


"Cofonel Burr" said one of them, " we
should be very happy to witness your
skill at targetshootiDg


My skill at target-shootingY How
came you to suppose | had any skill as
marksman?" said Burr, fixing his
piercing eye upon the speaker


You are an old soldier, Colonel Burr,
and we have always heard you spoken of
as the best shot in America" said the
young man.


1T is many years since was a SOL
dier, and / have had but little practice
with the pistol since leaving the army.
Times of peace do motor at least they
should not-fRrpish many occasions for
the use of that weapon, since those oc.
cssions often have lasting regret. But
as your invitation to join your sport was
so respectfully given, l will accept it.
At least, shall shoot once at the target.
That will be sufficient for my unprac-
hced hand. Let me see your pistols.


Several were brought him. Selecting
one of them, he balanced in a moment
in his hand, sighted across the barrel
then. taking his stand at the line from
eseh contestant, he raised his arm
end presented the pistol.


It was q moment Of intense, almost
dramatic, interest. RefoFe the specta-
tors, pistol in hand, stood Aaron burr
the very arm outsHetehed which, on the
nights Of WeehaEken, laid the illpstri-
GUS Hamilton cold in death. The eye
that was now sighting the pistol had
cleaned along a death weapon in NOR
tai eombat--had beheld his foe sink at
bis feet, bsthed in blood. But quick
fash-a sharp report broke the spell
that held the spectators-the bullet sped.
Aaron Burr had sent it home to the cen
ter Of the target. A faint smile passed
over his features as an exclamation Of
astonishment announced the unerrine
shot. Handing the weapon 10 the owner,
he turned and left the field without utter.