Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1859-04-16
A Juggler's Duel.

tic otd Ifl9ate BrandyWlHe, at GIOral-
tar, bringing with him a good deal q
money, and big trunk Of 'einagician
implements" He acts as assistant
steward, and becomes a great fayorite
with the crew. At Port Mahon, thev
go ashore, Joe i'll full toggery, enter a
VINE shop, drink, and Joe accidentally
gets into a quarrel with ferocious
Spanish Infantry Captain. A duel en-
sued rs follows:
"My name is Joseph Latti, sir-a cit
izen OF the United States, and Gene
RAJ Of the Order Of Sublime Darkness, -
said Joe, very pompously, turning to
the Spaniard. "Your name, sir p
'>Antonio Bizar, Captain Of her most
Sacred Catholic Majesty's 7th Regi-
ment Of Infantry. Bat your office, sir?
| don't comprehend"
''Oh, you wouldn't know, if I was to
tell you. am siinpl y general CT body
Of men who have sold themselves to
the gentleman who burns sinners and
heretics, down there !" And Joe point
ed most mysteriously down towards the
floor as he spoke.
The Spaniard smiled very bitter,
sarcastic smile, and thereupon Joe took
up two large knives that lay on the bar,
and tossed them one after another down
his throat, making several Wry faces as
they took their passage downwards.- -
The fellow had evidently never seen
anything Of the kind before, for he was
astOnished.
"Now sir" said Joe, making one or
two more grimaces, as though he felt
the knives somewhere IN the region of
the iaphram, "you viii wait here while
/ go and bring my pistols, and you
shall have satisfaction. VIII you wait?n
81 can procure pistols" :" said the Off
Ger, forgetting his astonishment, and
coming back to his anger
81 shall fight you with my own. IF
you are 4 gentleman you will wait"
Joe turned to US and babe Us wait
for him
Here! here! Oh! gentleman, where
be my kniyes!' cried the keeper
"I'll pay for them when I come back" :"
and he beckoned for Us to come out. I
did 50! he took the knives-one from
his bosom, and the other from his sleeve
and told me to keep them until he
returned.
Il seems that Joe found q boat ready
to take him off to the ship at once, for
he was not gone more than threequar-
ters of an hour; when he came back
he had two superblY mounted pistols
with him. He loaded them with pow
der in the presence Of the SpaAiard,
and then handing him ball, asked him
if he would mark it, so that we w0ald
know it again. The fellow h"sitated at
first, but at length he took it wit!ra mad
gesture, and bit it between his teeth.
stI shall! know that" he said, >'uuless
it is battered against your boneS!'
CHOW select your pistol" said Joe.
The man took them and examined
them, but he was satisfied they were
both alike, and both good, and he told
Joe he had no choice. So our steward
put the balls in and rammed them care.
fully down.
The whole party now adjourned to a
wide court back Of the cafe, where
twelve PAGES were marked of, and
I trembled for Joe, for | saw not yet
how he would make fun ont of this.
Count" said the Spaniarl, lmp2.
tiently.
"One-two-three -
The captain fired first, and with most
deliberate aim. Joe fired in the air
Then the latter walked deliberately u
to his antagonist, and taking ball from
between his teeth, handed 1t To bim.
s'You can use that next time" SAID
Joe.
''San Pablo" exclaimed Bizar, fyo1
must use some-some-what you cal
him ?-some trick, Ell? l shall loac
the pistol mvself.''
"Do So" said Joe, calmly, and as h
spoke he eoolly handed over his powde
flask.
The Spaniard poured out an extr'
quantity Of powder, and having poured
it into the pistol, called tor q rammer
He then put the same ball in be useC
before. Meanwhile Joe had been load
ing his own pistol.
Zone moment" uttered Joe, reach
ing out his hand. ''The caps are il
the butt Of your pistol. Let me sc
them"
The fellow handed over his pistol
but kept an eye upon it. Joe opene'
a little silver spring at the end Of tn
but, and, true, there were some percus
sion Gaps there. BE took out two, am
having capped his own pistol, he tosse'
it into the air, catching it very adroitl
as it came down, and then handle