Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-02-17
From the London Punch sE
FROM A GENTLEMAN TO HIS FRIEND
SOLICITING HIS SERVICES INA
r. DUEL

TWILL
My DEAR Brown,
Let me see you Immediately. A matter
upon which the good name, the honor, the
all that makes this world tolerable, requires
that shonld instantly consult you. | will.
however, in as few words as possible, inform
you of my present position. When you
know it, feel assured that shall have YOUR
immediate sympatby-your promptest assis-
lance.
This evening, taking quiet stroll BY the
Serpentine, accompanied by faithful. Ponto,
the dog suddenly jumped into the stream,
and swimming INTO the middle, remained
there swimming round and round-you
know what water dog he is-barking and
swapping at the gna,s that danced about
him. The superb fellow attracted much
attention some ladies-among them two
very lovely girls-s,opped in a carriage to
watch and admire Ponto They called him
all kinds of pretty names and one of the
girls, am inclined to think, looked as
though she wished some of the praise TO be
shared by Ponto's master. am not vain
man, Brown, | should despise myself if
were; but | nevertheless felt very pleasu-
rable emotion as the girl, with her large
black eyes, lighted up at the doings of Pom
to, did now and then glance approvingy at
me. All this continued for some minutes.
and very pleasant it was.
AT length gentleman, suppose must
call him so, came up to the carriage and
knowing the ladies, entered into CONVERSE
ton with them. The girl with the black
eyes begged him to look at Ponio, who was
still chasing the gnats; the gentleman, how
ever, scarcely deigned to bes,ow glance
at the magnificent fellow, and what is more,
leaning his arm upon the phaton door, he
absolutely, and in most marked way;
turned his back upon the dog, as am now
convinced, to pass slight upon his master.
You know am not passionate man, Brown
certainly not; nevertheless, | felt | had at
tanned what you are continually preaching
to me, some conquest over myself. when
suffered this incivilty Of stranger TO pass
unrebuked, unnoticed. However, this was
bad enough, but matters we're not to end
here.
AT length, Ponto came ashore, landing
where the gentleman stood with his back to
the water. On coming to the land, Ponto-
with the natural movement of dog-gave
himself vigorous shake, and the water flew
from him as from well-twisted mop. OF
course, much of it went upon the gentleman
the ladies laughed at the dilemma. My
gentleman, however, in burst of passion.
flung out his foot at Ponto, and, wholly for
gctful Of the ladies' presence, cried, "D-n
the dog"
Now, Brown, you know that | am not a
hasty man no, think not; nevertheless,
can suffer no man, under any circumstances
whatever, 10 damn my dog. Besides, in
addition 10 the offensive word, there was a
violence attempted upon the person of the
animal. 1t is but little satisfaction to me
that Ponto. by his never failing agility, avoi-
ded the kick intended for hm-,he gentle
man, by The ill-directed violence of he &C
ton, being almost flurg over,-:i,at has
nothing to so with it; feel that !, Hector
Montgomery, was attempted TO be kicked
through Ponto and that when he damned
the dog, he most certainly meant the damn
to reach his master.
Under these circumstances, Brown, moth
ing remains for me but 10 call out the
offender. The law Of honor demands it
my position in society requires it: for how.
now, ask, could | ever again appear in the
world unless this stain was wiped out in
blood?
enclose you the party's card; but come,
instantly, that no time may be lost. My
honor testers with the delay
Yours, my dear Brown, ever truly,
Hector MONTGOMERY