Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-30
The Red Faced Man, or How to GET
Rid of A Rival

| The diligence stopped at the White
Horse Inn, in the principal street in
Fontainbleu. Fatigued and oppressed
| by the heat on the road, we slowly stretch.
ed ourselves, and descended the steps OF
the vehicle as lazily as possible, smiling
at the vacant appearance which sleep,
broken by our sudden arrival. had stamp
ed on the visages of some of our fellow
travellers. The baggage was dismounted
and dinner ordered. Some of the country
folks were eagerly pressing toward to
gaze on the newly-arrived, together with
their packages, bird-cages, and children.
In the midst of this hustle fat red.
faced man, about thirty years of age, an
insiped babbler, who had favored us the
whole of the journey with the history OF
his grert speculations at Fontainbleu,
and his marriage, which he was at the
present time coming there to consum-
mate, drew out his watch, and exclaimed,
ALREADY four o'clock! - vyrnrg a
"I'll bet you that it is not" said q
gentleman in slippers, who was smoking
cigar before the door of the lowroofed
apartment.
t''Tis one of Bircquet's watches" T"
proudly answered the rubicund-face
gentleman at this interruption. ,s .rf,
"Ten louts that it is not one Of Bric.
quet's replied the smoker .agnlif.
The other gave him look Of pity,
and went into ths travellers room, saying
to me
Don't dine here" and with touch at
the elbow, I'VE will go to a cafe, where we
can do BETTER" 6fwf HgR gTtaLi
"Tll wager anything you choose that
the watch is worth nothing persisted
the man in slippers, following after.
II did not address my conversation TO
you, sir" ~ t-0 - IS
; "I'll bet that you did," retorted the
other.
My fellow traveller, coufounded at this
persecution, raised bis hand, pointing to
his forehead, signifying that the intruder
was deranged. uEA-
II defy you to prove it." continued
his prosecutor and with this parry and
thrust. the two regarded each other with
the most startling looks it is possible to
conceive, just like two dogs about
to be let loose at one another.
upon my word" said the traveller to
me, Il know nothing of the fellow, but l
have q great INCLINATION to make him
march off gt1l ~ Af ahNa
"As to that, wager you do not" an
swered the obstinate intruder. More
over, will bet that make you take the
road back to Paris, and that, too, without
delay" y A@Hat fi4H
"1hst will be no easy matter, as /
came here to be married" Ha
Zone hundred louts that you do not !"
"Sir you are an impertinsnt sceun-
drel, and will box your ears" lfgl
81 bet tbs lie !"
Upon this, the ruddy-faoed gentleman
stamped with rage, and passed before
the other, aud made signs for him to
follow.
"Yes, my love" said be of the cigar,
taking with him q box, containing a
brace of pistols. SD
/ interposed between them to stop this
joke, but it was no longer a jesting mat
ter, and my representations were useless.
We reached solitary spot ia the park,
where the cigar fellow was saluted by an
officer OF the garrison, who was willing
70 DtCOht ule oeCOuu' tuIcW uP iHtO
the air FIVE franc peice as q signal,
and Immediately the report of a pistol
followed, and the peice of money fell
to the ground indeBted.
Bet" said the never cessing and i'm
movable marksman, ''that Ipierce that
leaf trembling at the extremity of the
bough," and it was pierced.
"Wsger that l kill you" added be
cody regarding the astonished traveller.
IT'S possible" replied the other,
changing from the ruby to the ghastly
hue; "and since it is.possible It's useless.
Consequently, / take again the road back
TO PARE, and have the honor to be your
very humble servaHt. 81
La fact, we cav him deposit himself
upon the imperiale of the diligence. l
solved the enigma This was q rival, to
whom the fair lady had given q descrip-
ZION of her intended. Need | add that
be won the lady in question: After the
honeymoon | learned that the dead shot
had encountered the rest-fsllen suitor
10 Paris, and said to him: II wager that
you return to Fontainbleu. And the
fat, red faced man returned accordingly.
A welded Pair Separated by the