Middletown transcript., 1872-12-07
DECEMBER

PAGES counted of, and the opponents took
their places.
You are tho insultcd party" said the
Majors second to the Captain, "aud
therefore have the frst shot"
The oaptin raised his pistol aud aimed.
There was an uncartbly stiffness among
the small circle, and the Major turned pale.
The captain lowered his pistol, and
said. "as tho Major will not have the
second shot hc shall shoot first"
You seem to bc certain Of your nrt,"
said the Majors second. land il is there
fore noble On your part TO allow the Ma.
jor the FIRST shot. as we'll as your rcnun
citation Of the first shot. But nevcrthe-
less, I as we'll rs all here assembled, can
not allow il. You are all alone and With,
GU. cc,nds. You have come under our
regulation. therefore, sir, shoot"
IL do not wish to iacm sure Of my art.
but bc sure Of il. Incvcr joke. With
my pistols hit to a certainty, Of which
you shalt soon be convinced" "Jobn, and
he called his jockey, throw something
up in the air"
The jockey pulled cut his handkerchief.
" No." said the captain, something
smaller, piece Of money, button or
something Of the kind"
The jockey pulled a plum oat Of his
pocket.
:" Good, john" cried the captain. ''now
throw it high up in the air."
The jockey threw tho PLAN up; the
captain aimed, there was fash and a
report, and the plum came squirting down,
burstcd in many pieces.
An involuntary bravo escaped the lips
Of the lockers on. The Major ,rrned
pale as death.
The captain did not speak another word
abou. the plum shot, bu, quietly reloaded
his pistol in presence of the second, and
went back to take his place
lie had also rcgained so,nc Of his cool
ness.
Shoot, Major" cried the captain.
The second wanted to interfere, but the
captain put him back, and shouted little
rough, Shoot, Major"
The Major shot, aud missed
. Shoot, again, Major you aim miscr-
ably Should fall it will be luckily, not
alone for you, but for oil these gentlemen
because intend to make you, one and all
look into the muzzlc Of my pistol.
These words seem like shrieks to the
lockers on. Every one excused himself
for having laughed yesterday. The sec.
end said nothing against the second shot.
because the Major now shot for them all
then II this monster did not bite the dus,
he would shoot them all down like dogs
The Major raised his pistol and aimed
bu, everything seemed swimming before
his eyes. His nerves were unsteady.
The captain looked him s,raigh, in the
face. 1t las, he said, :. Yesterday | wa,
your teacher in joke Today will hav,
to be your teacher in earnest You hob
your weapon too high. You will neve'
hit me"
The Major shot and missed, and ho
perspiraliUn could be seen on the nov
anxious countcnances
{ Then tho captain raised his pistol an,
aimed and-lowered i, again. Major,
spoke the captnin, you are miserable
creature. l cnquired about yoa Yester
day. ana every one spoke i'll Of you. II
two minutes you will lave ceased to live
Now | will be your teacher, aud comman'
you to pray to the great retaliating 'iod
aud ask his forgiveness for your sins
Pray that all people whom you hay'
wronged may forgive you, and God vii
have mercy on your soul. Hats off gen
ilemep When we speak with the Grca
Master Of the world, i, must be done will
the uncovered head y
4. Ar L.. a. a. l.
cap. With his eyes uplif,ed toward
, heaven the captain prayed forvcnrly in be
half Of the Mn jor The stern mans pray
cr had touched all. The Majors hear
beat audibly. lie was now upon ,ha
bridge which separates life from death,
- Amen. - came from all lips.
Oh. the plum had touched all hearts
All pn, their hats on again. The hour G
> death had come The Major had not
. single drop Of blood in his coun,enancc
( lie trembled SO violently. that he wa
. hardly able to stand erect.
a In order to end his misery the captai
aimed quickly and lowered his pistol
g handed il to the jockey, and said: . Tn
:. man is not worth charge Of powder,
j. aud left.
. The next evening he appeared agai
n dressed in blaol in the cafe, but no on
!. disturbed him.
c The Major, Of course, cav himself con
If PEELED to resign his position in the arm,
s-==