Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1890 — TWO STRANGERS IN A DUEL. [ARTICLE]

TWO STRANGERS IN A DUEL.

A Story of a Meeting ou the Field or Honor in the Days Before the War. “I have seen one duel in my life,” be said. “I do not believe in dueling, of course, but since that duel I have not had the horror of it- which 1 felt before. It did not seem like murder; it did not seem even brutal to me. “I was in New Orleans and was sitting late one night in the hotel corridor, interested in a discussion ably conducted on both sides. It was on that subject which then hung on everv man’s lips. Both men were handsome, middle-aged aud refined looking. The conversation became more and more heated until one of the meu said sternly: " '\on have insulted mv State and me, sir.’ ‘I have spoken what I believe to be the truth,’ said the other man calmlv; ‘and I cannot change my sentiment.’ ‘Then you offer to give me satisfaction ?’ said the other. “ ‘ln what way?’ ‘As gentlemen give satisfaction.’ ‘I do not fight duels,’said the other, paling slightly. ‘Not when you have insulted a man ?’ “ ‘No.’

‘\ou are not a coward,’ answered the other. ‘That is plain to see. I ask you as a gentleman lo give me satisfaction.’ “The man from the Nortl? looked at him steadily. “ ‘I cannot kill a man,’ h > said. ‘‘The other gave him a look which was almost one of appeal. “ ‘lf you do not giveme satisfaction,’ he said, ‘or retract, and I see you will not do that, I shall feel like a hound.’ “‘Very well,’ answered the other, simply, ‘when shall it be?’ “ ‘As soon as possible.’ “The Southerner excused himself to hnd a second. The Northern man turned to me. “ ‘I am a stranger here,’ he said. ‘Will you act as my second?’ “ ‘I don’t believe in duels,’ I answered. feeling ashamed to refuse him. “ ‘No more do I,’ he replied, coldly. “I hesitated and consented. The four of us were driven below the city. I shall not forget the place where tho duel was fought. We turned into a plantation at a point of the road where stood a majestic pecan tree, which seemed to liow gravely as the wind rustled softly through its hrauches and the trailing moss swayed gently. The distance was paced off by the second of my new friend’s adversary, for I absolutely useless. “For some reason my principal took off liis coat and 7 waistcoat, and tbe other man did the- same thing. They both seemed at their ease. In the grayness of the morning the white of their shirts was beautifully clear and pleasing. They took their positions quietly. No one had spoken a word since we had entered the field. My friend raised his hand and looked carefully at his revolver. “ ‘Gentlemen,’ he said, calmly, ‘I have never shot at a man in my life. This is not of my doing.’ “I looked at the Southern duelist. His face whitened at this, but he was cool and graceful in his bearing. “I forgot my principles. There was nothing brutal, uncivilized or cruel in this. It was beautiful. The c&lmneßH of the scene was exquisite. Both men faced each other as if they were paying compliments. There was a grace about their posture which charmed me. At that moment it seemed to me that to kill a man in so delicate a way was the refinement of courtesy. “ ‘Gentlemen, are you ready? One!’ Two white-sleeved arms was all that I saw. I did not hear the rest, not even the shots. I saw the arms go up slowly, straighten out sharply, something like released springs, and the Southern man was in the damp grass, a bright stain on his white shirt. My friend was leaning over him, peering anxiously into the wounded man’s face. When I ran up the one who was shot was very white. “ ‘Henry,’he said to his second, ‘take every care for this gentleman’s safety,’ and he faiuted. “Perhaps this was one of the most remarkable duels ever fought. I, an unwilling recoml, did not know the name of the principal whom I assisted. I did not oven know the cause of the duel. Each principal was ignorant of the name of the other. The only two men who knew oach other were the (Southern man and his second. But I, who believed dueling to bo murder, found it, when forced to play a part in a duel,” a fascinating picture, the like of which T have never before or since seen.” —New Yarl\ Tribune.