The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-05-16
THE SECOND PELLET.

THE SECOND PELLET.
During che carnival of 1925, George
Benier made the acquaintance at an op-
era ball, of lady who was much sought
after at that period, and who ives known
as the Baroness of Belmonte. We say
known, for she was no more baroness
than her mother, who sold artichokes in
winter and oranges in summer. Despite
her humble origin, however, tue barons
ess was beautiful and clever, and she
pmanaged to captivate the young man.
He could not sleep at night, and spent
the day in deploring to his friend, Pre- :
per Dyonnet the cruelty of the fair one.
Not that the baroness objected to the
young mans attentions, but she knew
her interests too we'll to succumb at
once. Three weeks had passed in walks
and drives, the lady had accepted both
cashmeres and diamonds, but as yet
had given no signs of a reciprocal affec-
ton. George began to weary of laying
siege to SO impregnable place scenes
of recrimination occurred, till the lady,
fearing she might lose her lover, showed
some symptoms of relenting.
George was walking arm in arm with
his friend Prosper on the Boulevards ;
he was in high spirits visions of hap.
piness were before him which he did
not fail to confde to his bosom friend,
and they agreed to celebrate the happy
turn in events by repast at the Cafe
Anglais. They had just reached the
threshold, and George was about to step
in, when he was stopped by voice inter.
posed
4 beg your pardon, sir. A word, il
you please
George turned round in anger. The
voice was well known to him-very uu.
pleasantly so---and he and his friend
Prosper recognized at once the man oi
the Cafe de Paris, the man with the
gray moustaehss and buttonedSup coat
Captain Rodet. Both were discon.
certed-the meeting was not agreeable
but the young officer of Dragons
quickly recovering himself, inquired, II
naughty tone, what the veteran want
ed with him.
Very little, sir replied the latter, in
tone Of exquisite politeness. I wish
to return this to you, and at the same
time to announce to you that, now you
are perfectly recovered, l will put it in
your power to receive portion of the
remainder
George had mechanically opened the
paper handed him by the captain. 1t
contained pellet of bread.
Monsieur = he said-and he was
about to add, thought that a meet.
ing, followed by severe wound, was
sufficient punishment for an act OF
thoughtlessness /; but there was some
thing so austere and implaoable in the
veteren's looks that the words stuck in
his throat But Prosper had not the
same reasons as his friend for declining
to reason upon the matter.
Monsieur, he said, addressing the
captain, unless you are impelled by
motives of personal hostility, 1 cannot
understand what interest you can have
in exacting another meeting on the part
OF NJ. George Benier. The insult was
slight, you must admit /; and is not your
honor satisfied by the blood already
split p
But the veteran never wavered in the
iuhexible expression which he had as
sumed, and, with his eyes fixed on
George, he awaited an answer without
Vouchsafug a reply to Prosper.
Captain, said the former, seeing
there was no alternative, / do not ac.
cept the words pronounced by my
friend. am ready to meet you where
and when you like, and we will fight as
much as you like
TO morrow morning-the same place
and the same hour as before replied the
captain who had resumed his most affa-
BILE manner.
BE it SO, replied George Benier.
Poor George his skill in killing fiies
with pellets of bread was destined to
entail vast amount OF misery. On the
occasion of this, his second encounter,
anger and hatred of his rival impaired
double strength to his arm, and gave
unwonted vigor to his thrusts. But it
was in vain the veteran parried his
sword as cody as if fencing with foils.
The struggle lasted long time George
became exasperated by his efforts and
evaporation, and at length fell on the
greeusward the captains sword had
penetrated his chest. 70 add to his
horror, as he lay fainting from loss of
blood, he heard the old soldier say,
Adieu till we meet again
This time George remained three
months in bed, and another month in
his arm chair. During these long days
OF suffering and debility, friendship
alone remained faithful to the poor pa,