Middletown transcript., 1871-05-27


authority on matters connected with games
Of skill
II always give Webb points, and !
won't shrink measuring cues with the col.
lec,or, though he certainly plays very
good game" ! replied.
i" Fraser, old fellow. Lieutenant lIol-
royd thinks that he is your equal ut bill
liards Will you let me back you for
game" Rapcr cried across the table
The Collector. who was half seas-
over" promptly expressed his willingness
to at once engage with me, SO registered
bet of hundred rupees with Captain
Raper. aud we adjourned to the billiard
room. had practisad 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 littlc;' ! therefore, did not
hesitate to accept few other bets offered
by admirers Of my opponents brilliant
style.
We had got about half way through the
game, aud our scores were nearly equal,
when | made three most palpablc fukcs in
one break, and this so annoyed my ssmi-
inchriatei antagonist that he played Wild
Is. missing most easy shots. and all the
while dcnouncing my style Of execution in
no very measured terms. When sober,
he was the mos, courteous and urbane Of
mcn. but when cxi,cd by wine, h. was
inclined to be insolcnt and overbearpg
81 was more than thirty points ahead,
when sho, presented itself to me that was
very Difficult, If accomplishment, |, was
a straigh, carom, but, in order TO make it,
the object bali had to be very lrcly grazed
indeed My bail scarcely moved the OBJ
ioct ball. though it undoubtedly touched
il, and went On the red. making the ca
rom" \ dispute instantly arose when
claimed the shot.
You never hit the first BAL, sir ="
crcl Fraser loudly.
&" knew | dill not, but my ball did, y
replied carclgs>ly
4" It's false There Sas no carom."
:" Do you insinuato lie. SIR
Yes. YOU are both liar aud cheat"
Human nature could not stand that |
slapped my traduccr's face. My brother
-fm,::cnr. iut,rfcrcd, and when my temper
cooled found myself walking on the YER
anlah with my intimate fIicud, Ned How
/ spn.
Come liolroyl. let's get some sola
satcr. AMI then turn in. You must get
your hand steady, for Fraser is sure to
rh4laue yoa to. morrow, he sail
| took his advice ami tho beverage he
recommended, and was w bright aud early
the following morning About ten o'clock
. Captain TAPER came to my quarters. lie
took sea, and peg before he explained
his mission. As Ind expected. he was
/ the bearer Of cartel from Mr.. Fraser
" This. is y dcvilish unpleasant bust
ness altogether. llolroyl; bat | snppost
/ you perceive that there is 10 alternative.
s., Will you name your friend. for | don't
suppose YOU intend to apologize" said The
captain. Nho bore the reputation of being
f a iirc-catcr,
- ! told him | should leave everything
in the hands OF Lieutenant lIowson. and
he yesl to that gentleman in order TO ar.
range prclimiuarics.
About midday my friend came to me
and told me that he had agreed with the
second Of Mr. Fraser rs t. the place. tim
Of meeting. aud weapons to BE- used in til,
forthcoming duel lie also hin,cd that i
had any letters to write in case of acci
dcut, il would be as well to do them Il,
once. said he would call to accompnn,
me to the rendezvous ut dawn the hex
morning.; and. when thanked him and
promised to prepare myself for slaughter
left me to hunt up the doctor, leaving m'
To reflect upon my position.
nucling was much in vague at that pc
riod, but | had never been n principal il
an u,iaire hunncur and | confess. my
feelings upon this occasipn were no, pleas
ant ones
In the first place. liked Mr. Erase
very much. and knew full well that h
would never have provoked me to s,rik
him had he not been under the influence
Of liquor But the blow had been given
and nothing could avert hostile meeting
unless accorded him nn ample and ah
jcct apologize do which would rcqnir
far more courage than TO fight, for shoul
have been stiemaiized as coward ani
completely os,racized by my brother Off
GERS.
II was in the rainy season, and tolcrabl
cool, so when had finished putting M
house in ORDER as llowson had advised
set out for long walk. thinking that ex
crcisc would steady my nerves which wcr
somewhat unstrung by the effects Of tn
potations of the previous night.
As s,rollcd leisurcly upon my way,
pondered upon my past life. Thought q
how barely four years before. had sc
out from home full Of hope and ambition
! the hope of winning name and fame in III
profession | had chosen earnest in m
heart; and now, before had even ilashe
my ma den sword, before was even fairl
launched upon my career, | had place
myself in such position that It was NOR
than probable my hopes, my zeal, ambi
ton. and my life. would be cut down lii
, a flower! I cursed the "cncmy man put