Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-03-25
Our S1rap 8ook.
Who Paws for the Pistol
"SFDEArH, sir, you shall give me salts

WV
Whenever you please
aTo.morrow, at eight o'clock"
at eight o'clock, then, let it be. |
shall be furnished with a second"
And the following morning at eight
o'clock. four individuals took their way
towards the "Bois de Boulogne," tive
for the purpose of destroying each other,
and the others to witness the action; per-
haps the most simple way Of expressing
what is termed "an affair of honor
AS two OF these four we're seriously de-
ltermined to blow out the others brains
they hired from the gunsmith a supurb
pair of pistols in such admirable condi-
tion. that it was really a pleasure for
gentlemen of honor to split skulls with
such weapons. Arrived at the wood,
the ground was chosen. q beautiful downy
turf, fresh, shady, and inviting; in fact,
such as two twilight lovers might have
selected as a place Of rendezvous.
"There. let's make haste" exclaimed
one. there's the spot. We wait but for
these gentlemen to hand us our instru
ments, and then we commence with the
BALI
aButeor i shat, veptured one of the
seconds !
|! II shall be sure to leave my bones here
rather than make ar apology
so much the better" replied his ad-
versary. "For rest assured | would not
accept one."
They received each a loaded pistol
The FIRST who fred, made the hat of his
antagonist fly from his head.
"The aim was too high" said he, low
ering very coolly his pistol, the butt-end
of which, by way of parade, he placed
over his eyes.
THANK you" replied the other, and
in his turn let Fly.
"Ahl oh p exclaimed his adversary,
reeeding a step. "You don't profit amiss
by the advice which one gives YOU"
The fact was, that the ball had shat
tered the stock of the pistol which he
held in his hand, and bat for his lucky
idea, would have drilled a hole in his
Enough, enough" said the second
Willing or unwilling, they were recon
ciled somewhat in the same way that an
axletree is repaired, which has given way
on the road the first jolt upsets the car
riage.
They then returned to the gunsmith's
to restore the arms which they had bor-
rowed.
"The devil !" exclaimed the man,
" there is no question here but some head
has escaped beautifully /! But who is to
pay me for the damage.
"'Twould be droll we're it l." said he
who broke the pistol.
"But not so droll either" answered
the one WHO escaped. at was not l who
lodged the ball in the stock"
"That is much to the purpose" an
swered the other: what would it have
been had I lodged it in your brain ?"
"Se much the worse for you if you are
awkward
SIS worse for you if you
parry so wefis.s
"Indeed so | am to pay for the plea
sure Of having come within an ace of
getting my skull cracked"
And | an to payfor your pleasure at
finding yourself in life and unscathed."
Pleasure Or moi ! defy you to lay it
THAT is what we must see."
"Directly."
"This very minute"
with ali my heart"
"And snatching a pair of foils, they
rushed like madmen to the door; the one
who had damaged the pistol, was espe
cially delighted to take his revenge
But the poor devil was far from possess
ing a lucky hand that morning. At the
first pass he himself was run through.
"You are a dead man p exclaimed the
other, passing his sword through the
body.
"aTis-possible,a murmured he, as he
fell; " but for all that, it is not I who
will pay for the pistol"