Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1871-01-19
THE CHALLENGE.

THE following story was told to me by
au officer belonging to one of Fl. B. NJ. s
regiments stationed in the East, as we
paced the declx of the Hydaspes, one fine
night, while on the passage from Calcutta
to London. / present it to my readers in
the words of the narrator, a tall, we'll
built man, whose olive like complexion in
dicated long residence in tropical climes
"When I first received my commission as
ensign in the British army, was gazetted
to the -th regiment, then in Ind.a and as
the P and O. Company did not exist in
those days, took passage 0tG the Cape Of
Good Hope.
&c In due course of time I arrived at Mad
ras, and joined my regiment, in which |
remained only three years, however, for,
at the expiration of that period, pur
chased my lieutenancy, and exchanged
into the ID, which was stationed up
country.
Until man gets thoroughly used to
it, there is nothing so monotonous as an
officers life in an isolated locality in India.
There is routine in everything in duty, in
lounging, eating, smoking, sleeping, read
ing and billiards or card playing, and this
is only varied if, by lucky chance, he hap
pens to be in district where pig-sticking,
elephant or tiger hunting is obtainable
At times, too-especially if ladies are with
the regiment hops are in favor,
and occasionally {" a hop" is improvised !;
but the climate is so enervating that
neither officers nor men of any regiment,
that had been a considerable length of
time in the country, felt very often dis
posed to exert themselves to provide
amusements for their comrades.
"The ID had been six years in India,
and, in consequence, all the members of
that corps were afflicted with lassitude
that had almost become chronic. There
was great dearth of female society-that
sine qua non of pleasureable existence
and the hunting had been pronounced by
those old stagers, who considered them
selves genuine shikarries, to be Internally
bad; therefore, when it was announced
that new Collector had been appointed
to succeed the hverless old curmudgeon
wis, for feventeen years, had held office in
that district, and n0tG bene was added,
asserting that he was the fortunate pos
SCISSOR of an extremely beautiful wife,
every one was on the qua Utoe to receive him.
Much to our disappointment, however, he
arrived alone, having lett his spouse to en-
joy the society of her friends in Calcutta
tor a few weeks, after which she was to
follow HIM with their only child.
Mr.. Norman Fraser was man about
thirty five years of age, tall, muscular, and
prominently handsome; moreover, he
was highly educated, and possessed such
powers of pleasing that won his way to
all our hearts, and soon became unlver-
sal favorite
"He infused new life into our little
coterie, and many were the lamentations
whenever his genial countenance did not
beam across our mess table. Our cOlOnePS
two Manufactured daughters gar
rison girls who had firted successfully
with every sub whom they had met
during the last ten years-were enhanced
by him, and openly lamented that he was
already Benedict; for, though he was
only a civilian they would have been
glad enough to have had the ghost of a
chance to ensnare him in the silken meshes
of matrimony.
1T was custom in those days for Off
GERS to remain over the mess-table long
after the cloth had been removed, and,
unless man possessed a very strong head,
he was pretty certain to retire to rest in
lamentably befogged condition. One
night, when we had all been indulging
pretty freely, the conversation turned to
billiards-an interesting topic, for most of
US were good players.
"Have you seen Fraser play? He beat
Webb easily to-day, and I'll back him
against any man in the regiment" said
Captain Raper, who considered himself
authority on matters connected with games
of skill
"I always give Webb points, and won't
shrink measuring cues with the Collector,
though he certainly plays very good
game, replied.
"'Fraser, old dfellow, Lieutenant Holroyd
thinks that he is your equal at billiards.
Will you let me back you for a game?'
Raper cried, across the table.
1.-THE Collector, who was halfseas-
over promptly expressed his willingness
to at once engage with me, so | registered
bet of hundred rupees with Captain
Raper, and we adjourned to the billiard
room. I had practiced great deal in my
leisure hours, and knew myself to be
steady player, while, from what had seen
of Fraser's play, judged that he became
nervous and irritable, if luck went against
him ever so little; therefore, l did not hes
1tate to accept few other bets offered by
admirers of my opponents brilliant style.
We had got about halfway through
the game, and our scores were nearly
equal, when I made three most palpable
fukes in one break, and this so annoyed
my semi inebriated antagonist that he
played wildly, missing most easy shots,
and all the while denouncing my style of
execution in no very measured terms.
When sober, he 1.-The most courteous
and urbane of men; but when excited by
wine he was inclined to be insolent and
overbearing.
/ was more than thirty points ahead,
when shot presented itself to me that
was very difficult of accomplishment. 1t
was straight carom, but in order to make
it, the object ball had to be very finely
grazed indeed. My ball scarcely moved
the obiect-ball, though it undoubtedly
touched it, and went on the red, making
the carom. A dispute instantly arose
when I claimed the shot
You never hit the first ball, sir F" cried
Fraser, loudly.
''I know did not, but my ball did, I
replied, carelessly.
It's false. There was no carom'
Do you insinuate I lie, sir?'
Yes! You are both liar and
cheat!'
Human nature could not stand that
slapped my traducers face. My brother
officers interfered, and, when my tenn
per cooled, found myself walking on the
verandah with my intimate friend, Ned
Howson.
"'Come, Holroyd. let's get some soda
water, and then turn in. You must get
your hand steady, for Fraser is sure to
challenge you to morrow he said.
took his advice and the beverage he
recommended, and was up bright and early
the following morning. About ten o'clock,
Captain Raper came to my quarters. He
took seat and a peg before he explained
his mission. AS had expected, he was
the bearer of a cartel from Mr. Fraser.
This is a devilish unpleasant business
altogether, Holroyd; but I suppose you
perceive that there is no alternative.
Will you name your friend, for I don't
suppose you intend to apologize said the
captain, who bore the reputation of being
a fire. eater.
" I told him I should leave everything
in the hands of Lieutenant Howson, and
he went to that gentleman in order to ar
range preliminaries.
About midday my friend came to me,
and told me that he had agreed with the
second of Mr.. Fraser as to the place, time
of meeting, and weapons to be used in the
forthcoming duel. He also limited that if
had any letters to write, in case of acci-