The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-03-18

two, one was smiling, rosy little man
carrying black valise. Their respect
i've companions walked with hasty, ir
regular strides, were abstracted, and ap
parently i'll at ease.
The party stopped.
"This is the place, said Captain Jones
EYES," said Dr.. Smith.
The captain and the doctor conferred
together. The other two studiously KEPT
apart.
Very well. I'll measure the ground,
and do you place your.man.
1t was done.
+" Now for the pistols" whispered the
captain to his fellow second.
"They are all ready, in the valise, +"
replied the doctor.
The principles were placed, ten PAGES
apart, and wearing that decidedly un-
comfortable air man has who is in mo-
mentary expectation of being shot.
You will fire, gentlemen, simultane-
ously, when | give the word" said the
captain. Then in an undertone, to the
doctor, "Qu;ck, the pistols"
The doctor. STOPPING over and fumb-
ling at the valise, appeared to find some.
thing that surprised him.
Why, what the devil
Whats the matter ?" asked the cap
tain, striding up. Can't you find the
caps ?"
Deuce,a pistol or cap, but this p
He held up-a lady's night-cap!
Look here-and here-and here -
holding up successfully hair brush, a
long, white night-gown, a cologne bot
tie, and comb
They were greeted with long whistle
by the captain, and blank stare by the
two principals.
:" Confound the luck !" CALCULATED the
captain \" if we haven't made a mistake,
and brought the wrong valise !''
The principals looked at the seconds.
The seconds looked at the principals.
Nobody volunteered a suggestion At
last the doctor inquired
"Well, what's to be done 80
I'D unlucky /" again CALCULATED
lie lie captain. 1.-The duel can't 20 ou."
Evidently not" responded the doe
tor, unless they brain each other with
the hair brush, or take pop at each 9th
er with the cologne bottle"
You are quite sure there are no pis-
tolls in the valise ?" said one of the prn-
cipals, with suppressed eagerncss, and
drawing long breath evident relief.
We must go over to the city and get
pistols" proposed the captain.
"And by that time it will be dark"
said the doctor.
I'D unlucky," said the captain
again.
1--WE shall be the laughing stock of
the town. consolingly remarked the
doctor, " if this gets wind"
One word with you. DOCTOR" here
his principal
They conferred.
At the end of the conference with his
principal, the doctor, advancing to the
captain, conferred with him. Then the
captain conferred with his principal.
Then the seconds conferred with each
other Finally, it was formerly agreed
between the cantending parties that
statement should be drawn up in writing,
principal No. rendered the
assurance that the offensive words /" You
are liar were not used BY him in any
sense, but solely as an abstract
proposition. in general way. in regard
10 the matter Of fact under dispute To
which principal No. 2appended his state
ment of his high qualification at this can
aid and honorable explanation, and un.
lualifedly withdrew the offensive words
= You are scoundrel," they having
been used BY him under misapprehen-
sion Of the intent and purpose OF the re-
mark which preceded them,
There being no longer cause for
quarrel, the duel was of course ended.
The principals shook hands. first with
each other, and next with the seconds,
md were evidently very glad to get out
Of it.
And now that it is 50 happily set.
tled." said the doctor. chuckling and
rubbing his hands, " it proves to have
been lucky mistake after all. that we
brought the wrong valise. Wonder what
the lady that owns it will say when she
opens ours and finds the pistols" +"
Every well for you 10 laugh about"
growled the captain +" but it's n, joke
for me to lose my pistols Hair triggers