The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-11-01
THE DUEL.

n0Wnod coHee-h0uSe or cafe, reading the
papers, but at the Same time smoking
Small clay pipe and drinking his coffee
with an air of satisfaction. He wore
complete suit Of black, which was cut
in the latest style; fine white necktie
or scarf, being the only thing white to
be seen in his dress.
In stalked Major L. accompanied by
several military friends. The major was
far different in disposition and charac
ter from any of his comrades. He pos
sessed an ungovernable passion to ridi-
cule everything and to persecute every
thing with his sarcasm; therefore he
was much feared by his companions.
The Major seemed to be in rather
lively humor, and it itappeared as though
he was literally seeking for some one
on whom to practice his acquired habit
of ridicule. The party in black, whom he
took for school teacher, on account of
his peculiar dress, had hardly been
espied by the Major, than he slid quiet
ly behind his chair, as though 1t was
accidental, and blew the light out. His
comrades laughed. The stranger coolly
relit the gas as though nothing had
happened, and continued read ing.
"Now," thought the Major, "I know
my man; he will stand something"
He therefore approached him and said,
sarcastically, good evening my dear
'familiour,' "at the same time grasping
his hand, and with it the pipe he held
which was thereby broken into pieces.
"Waiter, another pipe" called out
the man in black, scmingly very quiet
and cool.
The comrades Of the Major laughed
still louder. The Major called him a
splendid fellow.
AS he could not rouse tho ire of this
party, as was generally the case with
those whom he selected as his victim,
and also being invited to take hand
in a game of whist, he went into one of
the play-rooms, followed by his entire
suite, and let the man in black sit quiet
ly.
The party in black continued reading
his paper, and drank his coffee, and
seemed to have quite forgotten the re-
cent insults of the Major and his party.
But as soon as he had finished reading,
he got up and went into the room in
which the Major was playing, and step
ping up before him, and catching him
by the lapel of his coat, said:
"Sir, tomorrow morning we fight,
and with pistols"
$50, So" interrupted the Major, "will
the school-teacher bring his rattan with
him? ?"
"Yod are mistaken, sir, I am Captain
in the British navy. To morrow morn
ing we meet at the Poets lane" The
captain left without another word.
The entire company of yesterday met
at the appointed place with the Major
the following morning. The captain, in
magnificent uniform, awaited them and
bowed politely.
The captain not having any second,
one Of the Majors suite volunteered to
act as such.
"Thank YOU" replied the captain,"I
need no second. / have my jockey with
noe, and should | fall, he knows what
is to he done. You are all men Of honor,
and viii allow no mean advantage to
be taken of me-"
The pistols were now loaded, fifteen
PAGES counted off, and the opponents
took their places.
"You are the insulted party" said
the Majors second to the captain, "and
therefore have the first shot"
The captain raised his pistol and aim
ed. There was an uuearthly stiffness
among the small circle, and ahe Major
turned pale.
The captain lowered his pistol, ant
said, "as the Major viii not have the
second shot he shall shoot first"
"You seem to be certain of your,aim,
said the ajor's second, "and it is there
fore noble on your part to allow thu
Major the first shot, as well as your re
nunciation Of the first shot. But, never
theless, /, as well as all here assembled
cannot allow it. You are all alone, ant
without seconds. You have come unde
our regulation. Therefore, sir, shoot.
81 do not wisn to seesn sure OF my
aim, but be sure of it, never joke
With my pistols Int to y certainty, o
which you shall soon he convinced
John" and he called his jockey" "lhroN
something up IN the air"
The jockey pulled oub hf5 handkei
chlef,-"No," said the captain, "somC
thing smaller, piece Of money, at bu
ton or something of the kind"
, The jockey pulled plum out Of h
pocket. "GOod, John, "cried the captaii
"now throw ii high in the air."