The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-03-30

THE DEAD SHOT,

In august, low, sbnSO ouHS 81
tlernen were dining at Crockfords, Lon.
don. It was growing late. They had
set long over their wine, and were bois-
ferrous in their mirth as they discussed
the merits Of Watermelon just set
before them In the midst of their
talk, a stranger an elderly man, wear
ing a gray surtout closely buttoned up
to the throat and a shabby hat-en.
tered the room, and seating himself at
the end of an unoccupied table, ordered
a mutton chop and glass Of ale,
There was nothing sufficiently peculiar
about him to attract observation. He
might have been taken for country
magistrate or a country attorney. The
expression Of his countenance was Sc
rious, his manners were quiet, and his
bearing that of a gentleman-impo
ished, perhaps, but still Enthusiastically
Of gentle breeding.
AS he was eating his chop and sip
ping his ale, apparently unconscious of
the rather boisterous merriment of his
neighbors, a melon-seed struck his right
ear. Raising his eyes, and seeing that
the seed had been purposely though
sportively snapped, and that no apology
was made for the petty impertinence,
he picked up the seed and, wrapping it
in a paper, put it in his pocket. Re
Stunning his repast, second seed short
ly struck him on the right elbow This
was followed by a shout of laughter.
With scarcely change of the grave
expression of his face, the stranger
stopped, picked up the seed, and grave
ly deposited it with the first A third
followed, with some derisive word, as
it sped from the halfdrunk young blood,
which, striking the stranger on the
breast of his coat, was also picked up
and put with the first two, when rising,
he walked calmly toward the offender,
and unbuttoning his coat, he laid his
card on the table. He had on an I'M
dress military suit. His card showed
his rank. OF course there was no
room for retreat. A Lieutenant Colonel
in the British army requires no certiti-
cate Of gentle blood. No words passed,
the young gentleman offered his own
cardin exchange, the officer returned
to his meal, and the young men, some
what sobered, shortly withdrew.
The next morning note arrived at
the aggressor's residence, conveying a
challenge in form, and one of the melon
seeds. The truth then flashed upon the
challenged party, that his unwarranta-
BILE frolic was likely to be somewhat
serious affair. The code, however, ad-
United only duel or disgrace. Accept
ing, the. challenge, naming pistols as
weapons, and gaining by toss the first
shot, the young man fired and missed
his opponent. The Colonel leveled his
pistol in return; and sent his ball
through the flap of his offenders ear
the place the first melon-seed, snapped
the previous evening, had adroitly hit.
A month passed. Nothing more had
been heard of the Colonel. He had
had satisfaction for an insult which,
however unprovoked, was thoughtless,
and which it was hoped he had forgiv-
Ell. Not So. Another note, presented
by the same friend, conveying in cour-
teous phrase second challenge, with
the ColonePs apology on the score of
ill-health for not sending it before.
They met again. This time the fire
was simultaneous. The aggressor's
shot failed. The Colonel, on the con-
trary, shattered with his ball the right
elbow of his antagonist.
This was terrible. The romance of
exquisite skill was turned into drama
of slaughter. The third melon-seed
was to come, and it was that which,
aimed at the breast of the unofending
stranger, had struck, amid cheers of
derisive laughter, directly above his
heart. What instructor ever taught
good behavior like this? The note ar
rived at last. 1t contained the melon
seed, but no challenge.
"And what; sir" added the young
gentleman, "am / to understand by
this?" - $
"You will understand, sir, that my
friend forgives you. He is dead!"
GAME. The st. Joseph (Mo.) Herald
saws that never before was there so