The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-07-16

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and silently, up one Of the bye.streets, and
struck off into the fcot-pcth leading to q sec!u-
ded grove outside Of the town. OF the first two,
one was our military friend in . blue coat appar-
emily the leader Of the party. OF the second
two. one Vas a smiling rosy lirtle man, carrying
a black valise. Their respective companions
walked with hasiy irregular strides we're ab.
s,rscted, and III at ease.
The party stopped.
"This is the place." said Capt. Jones.
The Captain and Doctor conferred together.
The other two studio asly kept apart
Every well. I'll rsea.ure the ground and DO
you place the men"
II was done
"Now for the pistols" whispered the Captain
TO his fellow second
Doctor.
The principles were placed ten PAGES apart,
and wearing tha, decidedly uncomfortable air OF
a man who is in momentsry expectation OF being
shot,
You will FIRE gentlemen, simultaneously,
whsn give the word" said the Captain. Then
in an undcrtone TO the Doctor, "Quick, the
pis;os."
The Doctor STOPPING over and fumbIing at the
vsse, appeared TO find something that sur prised
him.
"Wby, what the devil"
"Whst's the matter ?" asked the Captain, stri-
ding up. Can't you ind the capss"
"Duce of pistol or cap, but this :"
He held up lsdy's night cap.
Look here-and here-spd herei holding up
successfully, hair brusn, long knit night
gown, cologne-oottle, and a comb.
They were greeted with long whistle by
the Captain. and a blank stare by the two prin'
cipals
"Confound the luck" CALCULATED the Captain
"if We haven't made a mistake, and brought the
wrong valise!"
The principals looked at the seconds. TIE
secouds looked at the principals. Nobody vol
unteered suggestion. At last the Doctor in
quired:
"Well, what's to be done?"
"Darned uhlucky!" again calculated the Cap
tain. The duel can't go on"
Evidently rot" responded the Doctor, "un
less they brain each other with the hair brush
or take pop at each other with the cologn.
battle"
"You are quite sure there are no pistols il
the vase ?" said one Of the principals. with ;
suppressed eaeerness, and drawing long breath
% we might 20 over 10 The city ana get ps
iols," proposed the Captain.
"Darned unlucky," said the Captain again.
ave shall be the laughing stock OF the town,
co solngly remarked the Doctor, If this thin
gets wind"
'Oue word with you Doctor" here uterpose'
his principal.
They conferred.
! And at the end Of the conference with hi
principal, the Doctor, advancing to the Captain
conferred with him! Then the Captain coz
ferred with the principal! Then the second
conferred with each other! Finally, it was ior
mally agreed between the contending partie
that a statement should be drawn up in writing
whereby No. 2 rendered the assurance that th
offensive words, "you are liar were not use
by him in any personal sense, but merely a. a
abstract proposition, in general way, in regar
to the matter of fact under dispute! To whic
principal No. 2 appended his high gratiscatio
at this candid and honorable explanation, and ur
aualifiedly Withdrew the offensive words, "yo
are scoundrel." they having been used by hiI
under misapprehension of the intent and pu
pose of remark which preceded them!
There being no longer a cause OF quarrel, tn
duel was, of course, ended. The principals shoe
r hands. first with each other, and next with ii
seconds, aud were, evidently, very glad TO g
out of it.
"And now, that it is 20 happily settled" "a
the Doctor, chuckipg and rubbing his hands,
proves to have been lucky mistake, after q
that We brought the wrong valise. Wond
what the lady that owns il will say when or
opens ours and finds the pistols"
"Very well for you TO laugh about" growl'
the Csptain, F" but it's no joke for me to loo
my pistols. Hair triggers-best English mat
J, and gold mounted. There is not finer pair
America"
"Oh, we'll fad them Wen 20 on q pilgri1
c age from house to house, asking If any lady the
has lost night-cap and found pair OF duei'
pistols'
CHAPTER ".