Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-06-12

lormS, sad the captain. "Such propose
isquite intolerable"
81 regret, said the banker to the major
"that should have to urge this request but
1t is in me most necessary preliminary
Will you, major, do me the favor to apply
your eye to the telescope put it to you
as gentleman and an officer, whether there
is any offence in the request 2"
Nay. sir; said the major, Il do not say
that but it seems to- ne so absurd-so
contrary to the established rules in such cas-
es."
Here, sir" said the banker holding up
the telescope, "place your eye to it but for
one moment-there-in that direction"
Where ~ said the major, carelessly ap-
plying his eye to the telescope He looked
for an instant. "Esad p said he, Il see a
very fine woman walking about on a grass
plot, with little trot of a ch lid in one hand,
and two others pranking round her. But
what, l should like to know, has this to do
with the matter in hand ?"
Everything" said the banker, with seri-
GUS face that lady, sir /! is my wife, Those
children are mine and hers; and we are all
mutually attached"
"PShaw - said the captain, "what is that
to me +? You should have thought of this
before"
Il know it is nothing to you SIR" said
the banker, "as you have no wife or chill
drcn. believe am correct in saying you
have no wife or children. Now, then, I ask,
do we meet on equal terms ?'
Why, no-certainy not said the major,
''but it is too late to think of this on the very
ground; it is quite unformal-this discussion; !;
it is really quite,-quite 8" and hereupon
the major took a huge pinch of snuff to fill
| up his simile.
| warned you to settle all your affairs, ="
broke in the captain, as if a sudden bright
| thought had occurred to him.
True" soid the banker, pointing to the
distant family group, "but l could not settle
them. l have -ettled everything else'
| The barkers second now ventured t. OBJ
serve, that as the captains second had admit
ted the parties about to contend were not on
equal terms, they should be equal, or as near
as possibly so, before the actual commence
men of hOstilites and he appealed to them
to do this as men of honor and gentle
men,"
Well, there is certainly show of reason,
aud that sort of thing, in what you say" OBJ
served the major. "Bnt how, in the name of
goodness, is that to be effected ?''
'Nothng easier," exclaimed the gentleman
in black. "YOur friend the captain has an
independent income Of fifteen hundred per
annum. and no family; whereas the income
cf my friend though he has some little
perty--manly depends upon his own ex-
ertions and he has vile and three child
ren Now, if the captain should shoot him,
he ought to make over five hundred a year to
his family, and thus the parties would be up
on equal terms"
Putting affection out of the question:"
added the banker.
The major, at this, looked blank and puz-
zled the captain all astonishment.
6 1t would only be putting down you hand
some ph9ton and pair" rejoined the. bankers
second, calmly.
"Oh, sir ah /! yes, indeed % calculated
the captain, reddening up to the ears"
"But supposing l acceded to this most ir-
regular proceeding, said the major, " there is
no time for it now, as l cannot consent to
withdraw my principal from the field without
an exchange of Shots"
That is not at all necessary" said the
banker. eth gentleman is my attorney"
Whereat, on the instant, the little man in
black whipped from beneath his coat deed
on parchment, ready filled up and wanted
nothing but the signatures.
The captain and the major exchanged looks
of blank rage. They saw that, in common
parlance it was SELL and they began to
storm.
A most absurd proceeding !--mercenary
proposal !'-ejaculated the captain. "Put
down my phaon, indeed Why, sir, this is
beyond joke"
6" 1t is, indeed, most serious matter, sirs," ,"
said the banker. "Do you think, sir, wheth-
er would not be justified in considering it as
something more than an absurd proceed
ing" and a pretty joke. to be put down dead
here, and leave my wife and chill dren to pen
ury l know very well, sir, you are rare
sh 1t, and can snuff candle with pistol bull
let. That dexterity | can't pretend to, so in
in any case run the greatest risk. Yet, am
ready to pit my life against your phaton and
pair
: The major looked more perplexed than
never The captain more foolish than puz-
zled.
Again, gentlemen, if should be killed,
my wife and children will absolutely need the
money; but if kill the captain, his property
is absolutely Of no sort OF use to him after
his funeral expenses are paid. Nor is my
proposal without precedent. Upon such oc
casions, men Of refined honor and high cOur-
age have thought they could never do enOngh.
When Best shot lord. .Camelford, his lord:hip,
on his dcath-bed left his antagOnlst.who was
in very poor circumstances. handsome in
come, rejoicing, n doubt, that he had lived
long enough to do such an act of magnamity
and finished honor. | never fired at a man
as a mark in my life | am sure to be shot
So you see my proposal is only a fair one,
and as make it to men Of honor, | expect
it to be acceded to-
"Oh, but I-ycS, but You, sir !" ex-
claimed the captain. REALLY" interrupted the
major, biting his lips. 81 really think that,
as men of finished honor, we must accede to
the proposal
The banker now fatty refused to fight on
any other terms, putting it directly to the
major as the most refined pon: Of duelling
honor that could be manifested on the Occa-
sion, till the two officers, though excessively
provoked and annoyed, could no longer refus-
ed the consent. The parchment was handed
to them by the attorney, who saw 1t properly
signed, and the principals took their stand at
fifteen PAGES distance.
The banker had the first fire. Not wish
ing to be banished his country, or get into
prison,or be tried for manslaughter or murder,
he took very good care to fire wide of his
mark, and away flew his innocent ball Ike
humning bird across the fields.
Then came the captains turn. Now, whis-
pered tie major, 'aim low; keep steady
now-youve got him.
"G got him = stammered the captain, his
face turning blue, and his faws falling. "Got
him put down my pha--, pay five hund-
red year for being called bullet-headed
fool, and SO prove it. Will you pay the mon
ey if hit him p
Away sped the bullet E; but of course it
did not hit the banker, though it whistled
rather too close past the lawyers ear, who
had fOrL often to have a similar agreement
for himself in case of accidents.
The antagonists then shook hands, TIE