Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-09-19

gentleman, with very fierce mustaches,
who stood smoking a cigar before the
door of the low-roofed apartment.
II should know" retorted the little
red.faced man, turning sharply upon
him, "tor this is one of Leroy's best
| watches. 1t cost two thousand francs
"Pll bet you ten louis that it is not
one of Leroy's Watches" said the mus.
tached smoker, coolly.
The redfaced man shrugged his
shoulders, and went into the travellers
| room, saying to me
'Dont't dine here. We can do better
| at cafe"
"l'll wager you the value of the watch
| that the watch is worth nothing, and if
you win you will receive what you will
| not find it worth your while to take.'
said the gentleman with the mustache,
following us.
81 did not address my remarks to you,
SIR"
'I'llbet you that you did," said the
other, with the most provoking cool.
ness.
The little man, amazed by this perse.
QUITO =" tonched his forehead to signify
that the gentleman with the mustache
was mad.
"I'll bet you don't prove that I'm
mad, said the other.
There was pause. They looked
like two dogs waiting to be slipped for
a fight.
Upon my word,n said the red-faced
man, Il know nothing of this fellow,
He is most impudent rascal, whoever
he is; and l have good mind to make
him march off,"
I'll make you any bet you like you
don't make me march off, exclaimed
the other, pulling his mustache, land
III further bet anything you like that
make you take the road back to Paris,
and that. too, without any delay"
The little man, whose face was now
deep crimson with rage, blurted out:
You won't find that a very easy
matter, for | came here to get mar
ried.n
Gone hundred Napoleons you do not
marry p
'Sir, you are an impairment scoun-
drel, and | will pull your nose"
IN make you any bet you like you
heg"
The little man stamped with rage.
he glared around him for some mo-
ments in silence, then exclaimed:
I" Do you want me to shoot you ?''
I'll bet you don't shoot me -
:" Where can we procure pistols ~ ex-
claimed the red-faced man, breathing
short.
" The landlord will accommodate u.s."
answered the other.
He hurried into the house, and reap
peared with box containing brace of
pistols.
| had hitherto treated the affair as a
joke, laughing in my sleeve at the red.
faced mans rage, and the others COO
insolence. But | thought it was now
time to interpose.
Gentlemen"
But the mustached man turned upon
me with frown.
=" believe this gentleman to be a
coward, sir" said he, land if YOU inter.
fere, l shall conclude you are conspir-
ing to prevent him from proving him
self a coward"
said no more, but followed the two
men to lonely spot in the park, where
the cigar hero was saluted BY an officer
OF the garrison, who was willing to be-
come his second.
Having loaded his pistols, we placed
the men. 1t was agreed | should give
the signal, which was to throw five.
franc piece in the air.
My position was peculiarly disagree.
able one. Up to the last moment had
hal hat
only rather cruel practical joke on
the part OF the man with the mustache,
and as my curiosity was excited to fol.
low this adventure to its conclusion.
had volunteered to be the red.faced
mans second; but it seemed now that
one or the other, or both, must be
killed.
Sir" said the man with the cigar.
turning to me, 81 believe Master
Jacques to be an honest man, but
though can vouch for his wine, can't
vouch for his pistols. Before that GEN
tleman and l make target of one an
other, be so good as to throw that FIVE
franc piece into the air, to see how nv
pistol carries"
| did as he desired, and tossed the
money about seven yards high.
! heard the report of pistol, and
the piece of money fell indented.
" Bet" said the man with the mus.
taehe, that l pierce that leaf vibrat-
ing at the extremity of yonder bough.u
And before the other could answer,
the trigger was pulled and the leaf was
pierced.
Bet" continued the man, with the
most ridiculous GOODNESS, "that | shoot
you clean through the pupil of the left
eye, and lay you dead, and that you
miss me-"
The other was as white as a ghost.
g believe you," he said, trembling
from head to foot, and throwing his
pistol down. g guess your motives
and admire your stratagem, and, as
am not prepared to die, shall take the
road back again to Marseilles."
In fact, we saw him deposit himself
IN the imperiae of the diligence.
| turned to the mustached gentleman
for an explanation. lie invited me to
take glass of wine with him in the
travellers room, and with great good
humor proceeded to solve the enigma.
He was friend of the young lieut.
enant, and famous as the most deadly
shot in France. He had received let
10 he lof