The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-11-13

tain's second had admitted the parties
/ about to contend were not on equal
terms, they should be made equal. OF
as nearly so as possible, before The ac-
tual commencement of hostilities; and
he appealed to them TO do this as men
OF honor and gentlemen"
well, there is certainly a show of
reason, and that sort of thing. in what
you say" observed the major. "But
how, IN the name of goodness, is that
TO be effected q,
Nothing easier" exclaimed the gem
tleman in black "Your friend the
captain has an Independent income of
fifteen hundred per annum, and no fami-
| ly; whereas the income of my friend
though he has some operty-mainly
| depends upon his own exertions; and
he has wife and three children. Now.
If the captain should shoot him, he.
ought to make over five hundred a wear
10 his family, and thus the parties
would be upon equal terms.o
Putting affection out of the oues-
tlon," added the banker.
The major at this looked blank and
puzzled; the captain all establishment.
II would only be putting down your
| handsome phaeton and pair reioined
the bankers second, calmly.
Oh, sir! ah yes, indeedm eiacu-
lated the captain, reddening up TO the
| ears.
But supposing | acceded 10 this
most irregular proceeding,n said the
major, There is no time for it now. as |
caunot consent TO withdraw my princi-
pal from the field without an exchapoe
of Shots"
inat is not at all necessary" said
the banker. This gentleman is nv
attorney" Whereat, on the instant,
the little man in black whipped from
beneath his coat a deed on parchment,
ready 10 be filled up, and wanting no
thing but the attachment of the sigma
lures.
Ihe captain and the major exchanged
looks OF blank rage. They saw that.
In common parlance. it was a sells
aud they began 10 storm.
. A mos. absurd proceeding-a mer-
cenary proposal" calculated the cap
tain. Put down my phaeton indeed
y ny, SIT: this is beyond a joke"
II IS, indeed, a most serious matter,
sirs." said the banker. do YOU think,
sif, whether [ would not be iustifiel in
considering 1t as something more than
an absurd proceeding' and a pretty
Joke 10 be PIT doacn dead here, and
leave my wife and children 10 penury
know very well, sir, you are rare
shot, and can stuff a candle with pis-
toi bullet. That dexterity can't pre-
lend to, SO in any case run the great |
est risk. Yet am ready 10 pit my life |
against your phaeton and pair.n
The major looked more perpIexed
than ever. The captain more foolish !
and puzzled.
Again, gentlemen, if should be
Killed, my wife and children will abso-
luteiy need the money; but if I killth
captain, ms property is absolutely of no
sort ot use to him after his funeral ex-
Penses are paid. Nor is my proposal
without precedent. Upon such occa-
slons, men of refined honor and hioh
courage have thought they could never
10 enough. When Best shot Lord
lameiford, his lordship, on his DEATH
bed. lett his antagonist, who was in
very poor circumstances. a handsome
income, rejoicing, no doubt. that he
had lived long enough TO do such an act
u magnanlmlty and flushed honor
never hred at d man as a mark in nv
lie; am sure to be shot So you see
ny proposal is only fair one; and as
make It TO men of honor, | expect it
0 be acceded to-
Oh, bnt!-yes, but You. sirm ex-
'ialmed the captain. "Really," inter y
upted the major, biting his lips. ii
ealiy think, that, as men of finished
IonoF, we must accede to the proposal.n
The banker now fatty refused 10
Ight on any other terms, putting it d.
eetly 10 the major, as the most refined
oint OF duelling honor that could be
Manifested on the occasion, till the two
tfeers, though excessively provoked
nd annoyed, could no longer refuse
1eirss consent. The parchment was
anded, TO them by the attorney. who
aw 1t properly signed, and then the
eoOh iAiCil StdHu al 1Ileou
aces distance.
The banker had the 6rst. fire. Not
lshlng TO be banished from his country.
get into prison, OF be tried for man
anghter or murder, he took very GOOD
ire to fire wide of his mark, aud awav
sw his innocent ball, like humming
I'd across the fields
Then came the captains turn
Now" whispered the major, aim r
"; keep steady-now-you've got
m.n
I" Got himW stammered the captain
$ face turning blue, and his Jaws
ling. SCOT him! put down my
IA, pay five hundred wear for
ing called bullet-headed fool, and
prove it. Will you pay the money
| hit himw
Away sped the bullet; but of course
did not hit the banker, though it CT
Iistled rather too close past the law s
rs ear, who had forgotten to have a BE
MAR agreement for himself in case
accidents.
Fhe antagonists then shook hands,
e major withdrew the Honorable,