Ghosts of the Carolinas

Whistle While You Haunt

90 Whistle While You Haunt THE YOUNG MAN DIED A PAINFUL, UNGERING DEATH, BUT HE OFTEN RETURNS TO WHISTLE HIS FAVORITE MELODY A cold, steady downpour of rain beat upon the stagecoach as it bumped and jerkedalong thecobblestone streets of Charleston. It was the year 1786 and for homesick Joseph Ladd Brown of Rhode Island, the first view of the city in which he was to spend the balance of his life was a dismal one. He hadchosen to settle in Charleston for reasons of health. But the night he had selected for his arrival was far from an auspicious omen. The door to the coach opened and Joseph found the face of the driver thrust close to his own. The man was trying to tell him something above the sound of the storm. They had pulled up before a small tavern and the driver recommended that Joseph find lodging there for the night. His relief that the trip was over soon fled, for the crowd within was a rowdy one. While the young doctor watched with growing distaste a well dressed man, clearly above the revelers about him, entered the tavern. He made his way to Joseph and introduced himself. "I am Ralph Isaacs. You appear to be a stranger here and if you will forgive me for saying so, this is not a suitable lodging for a gentleman. Allow me to 91 92 guide you elsewhere." Joseph thanked him gratefully and soon the two were on their way in Isaac's own carriage to a quiet, comfortable inn. As they drove along together they found much in common and the young doctor was impressed with Isaac's savoir faire and knowledge of the city. Within a few days Joseph found permanent lodgings in the home of two sisters who were friends of General Nathanael Greene, a business associate of his father. Gradually he began to build up a good medical practice in the city and his ability as a poet, together with his personal charm, combined to make him much sought after. The two elderly ladies became increasingly fond of their young boarder. And each afternoon they found themselves listening for his cheerful whistling as he bounded up the stairs. It was always thesame tune-a quaint old English balladand when they heard it they knew he was in high good humor. Joseph continued to see much of his friend Ralph Isaacs, but more and more Isaac's jealousy over the young doctor's popularity began to cloud their friendship. Ralph Isaacs had never attained the social prominence which was coming to Joseph so readily and his resentment grew. One evening they attended the Shakespearean drama Richard III but they were not seated together since seating in theaters at that time was arranged in accordance with one's social standing. The actress, a Miss Barrett, was hopelessly inadequate and spoke her lines so softly that she could scarcely be heard. On the way home the two men argued over the quality of the performance. And what had begun as a difference of opinion soon ended in a serious quarrel. Dr. Brown took it upon himself to organize a protest of Isaac's conduct which was printed in the Charleston Gazette. In the letter to the newspaper Brown said, "I account it one of the misfortunes ofmy life that Ibecame intimate with that man." Isaacs fired back a bitter reply calling Brown "a self-created doctor and as blasted a scoundrel as ever disgraced humanity." Brown's friends advised him that it was now a matter of honor which could only be settled by a challenge to a duel. The challenge was readily accepted and the duel was set for the following morning . Actually, Dr. Brown was reluctant to settle the matter in such a manner and wanted to call off the duel, but it was now too late. Early the next morning the two antagonists examined their guns, stood back to back, paced the agreed upon twenty steps and turned face to face. Brown raised his pistol high and fired straight into the airthen stood motionless and waited. Isaacs was not so merciful. He fired his pistol twice, each time hitting Brown in the legs below the knees. He was determined to cripple the doctor for life. The wounded young man was carried back to the 93 [3.140.188.16] Project MUSE (2024-04-25...