DUELS BETWEEN GIRLS IN AMERICA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5543, 21 November 1879, Page 3

DUELS BETWEEN GIRLS IN AMERICA.

When ladies, fall out . their quarrels ■generally culminate in an interchange of 'high words," or, in aggravated cases, in a somewhat free use of the nails applied to each other's faces. American damsels, however, appear to have come to the conclusion that there is something ivfra dig. and something unsatisfactory in this manner of settling feminine disputes, and when their angry passions rise no longer confine themselves to the pleasure ol tearing ench Qther's hair, or calling one another names." We (San Francisco paper) are informed by a contemporary that within the last few months there have been no less than six "affairs of honor" in which the principals were women ; and now a seventh, which has terminated somewhat unpleasantly for one of the adversaries, is the theme of conversation at New York breakfast-tables. The fair duellists were a Miss Melina Manson and her former school friend, Miss Jenny Landshen. Since their education was completed, the bosom friends of the boarding-school had cooled down a little in the warmth of their natural sentiments of affection, but nevertheless met pretty frequently in society, and remained on a pleasant footing of intimacy. They were both invited on a recent evening to a certain soiree ; both accepted the invitation ; both played at "poker," and it was this game of " poker " which was the proximate cause of the subsequent duel. We confess to being utterly uninitated in the mysteries of,, v poker," but it appears to be a somewhat too dangerous game for evening parties if it. leads to playing with pistols. On the evening . in , question a dispute arose between the' two young ladies, resulting in an exchange of cards,. and an arrangement for a meeting, which took place early the following morning. It was decided by the seconds, two undermist.resses 'of. the ■establishment where these belicosc young persons had been brought up, that three shots should be exchanged at any distance the combatants pleased. . Miss Melina Mason fired her three shots first, and being an unpractised markswpman, missed her adversary. The latter, Miss Jenny, then advanced five paces, and the first bullet discharged lodged itself 1 in her antagonist's arm." It was deemed' unnecessary to carry hostilities any further ; indeed to do so .was out of the question, since Miss Melina had fainted. Honor was declared •' satisfied ;", but whether Miss Melina is ..equally satisfied at the loss of her right arm, which has just been amputated in consequence of the wound received, is not stated. .."■...•. , .