The Republican journal., 1872-10-31
rom he French Of Leon Wagner.
A BIoOdIess Duel

\ strengthening person sat in n re-
noWnci colfep-houSc or cafe, reading the
lapcr>, hat At tte same time smok ing a
small clay pipe and drinking his coffee
tl an air of satisfaction. He wore a
complete suit of black, which was cut in
The latest stAlc a fine white neckte, OF
~ctt being the only thing white to be
seen in his dress.
In etalkeG Major H.. accompanied by
several military friends The Major was
t.tr different in disposition and character
from any of his comrades He possessed
I'D mgorcrnablc passion to ridcule every
thing with his sarcasm; therefore he was
much feared hy his companions.
Fine Major seemed to be in a rather
Lively humor, and it appeared as though
he was literally seeking for some one on
whom to practice his acquired habit of
ndicule. The party in black whom he
took lDr a school teacher, on account of
his peculiar dress, had hardly been esped
IN the Major, thar he slid quietly behind
hi- chair, Is though it was accidental, and
tlcw the light out His comrades laughed
/ BE- stranger cuoly relit the gas as though
nothing had happened, and continued
reading. Nov" thought the Major, Il
,.no,V my man be will stand something. -
IT., therefore approached him, aud said,
~lica~ticaily, good evening my dear
rr1nip't>." at the same time graspng his
4nd. and with it the pipe he held; which
va, thereby broken into pieces.
Waiter, another pipe" called out the
man in black, seeminglv very quiet and
.4ut
The comrades of the Major laughed
~jill louder
The Major called him splendid fell
I'M.
A. he c0nld not rouse the ire OF this
,altv. As was generally the case with
those whom he selected AS his victim, and
also beng invited To take a hand in a
came ut whist, he went into one of the
plAy-roonls, followed by his entire suite,
and let The man in black sit quietly
The party in black continued reading
his paper, and drank his coffee, and seemed
To- have quite forgotten the recent insults
of the Major aud his party But as soon
a. he had finished reading, he got up and
went into the room in which the Major
WiS PLAYING, and stepping up before him,
,md catching him by the lapel of the
clat, said
Sir tomorrow morning we fight, and
with pistols
So, So" interrupted the Major; evil
the ~,.hool teacher bring his rattan with
MIN"
You are mistaken, sir, am captain in
he British navy. Tomorrow morning
f-e meet al the Pote lane"
The Captain left without another word.
lhe entire company of yesterday APP.
leareh nj the appointed place with the
MAJOR the following morning. The Cap.
tain, in magnificent uniform, awaited them
and bowed very politely.
The Captain not having any second. one
Of the Majors suite volunteered to act rs
such.
Thank YOU replied the Captain, 81
need no second. have my Jockey with
me. and if fall, he knows what is to be
done. You are all men of honor, and will
allow no mean advantage to be taken Of
ne -
The pistols were now loaded fifteen
PAGES counted off, and the opponents tool
their places.
You are the insulted party" said tht
Majors second to the captain, land there
tore have the first shot"
The Captain raised his pistol and aimed
There was an unearthly stiffness among
the small circle, and the Major turne(
pale.
rhc Captain lowered his pistol and said
las the Major will not have the second
shot he shall shoot first"
You seem to be certain OF your art, >
said the Majors second, and it is therefore
noble on your part to allow the Major the
first shot, as well as you remuneration OIL
the first shot. But, nevertheless. |, as
well rs all here assembled cannot allow
it. You are all alone, and without seconds.
You have come under our regulation.
Therefore, sir, shoot"
Il do not wish to seem sure of my art,
but be sure of it. I never joke. With
my pistols l hit to a certainty. of which
You shall soon be convinced. john" and
he called his jockey, ''tIlrow something
up in the air"
The jockey pulled out his Handkerchief f..
No" said the Captain, something
smaller, a piece of money, button OF
something OF the kind"