Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-09-19
MEMPHIS. TENN: THURSDAY EVENING SEPTEMBER 10. 1872

ond; but it seemed now that one or the
other, or both, must be killed.
"Sir," said the man with the cigar,
turning to me, II believe Master Jac
queS to be an honest man, but though
can vouch for his wine, can't vouch
for his pistols Before that gentleman
and make target of one another, be
so good as to throw that FIVE franc piece
into the air, to see how my pistol car
ries."
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 mustache
that / pierce that leaf vibrating at the
extremity of yonJer bough."
And before the other could answer, the
trigger was pulled and the leaf was
pierced.
Bet" continued the man, with the
most ridiculous coolness, that l 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 ghost.
i believe you, he said, trembling
from head to foot, and throwing his pis.
tol down. II guess your motives and
admire your stratagem, and, as am not
prepared to die, shall take the road back
again to Marseilles. Z"
In fact, we saw him deposit himself in
the imperiale of the diligence.
turned to the mustached gentleman
CO.. la IL sa1 k,
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 lieuten-
ant, and famous as the most deadly
shot in France. He had received let
ter the day before from his friend, beg
ging him to come to F. and help him
carry out ruse which he trusted would
enable him to marry the girl he was pas
sionately in love with.
The mustached gentleman complied,
left Paris, and reached F. in time to
receive from his friends lips particulars
of the stratagem he and the young girl
had concerted between them.
The stratagem was perfectly success
full. The little red-faced man. as / after
ward heard, on his reaching Marseilles,
wrote to the father of his intended bride,
apologizing for not having been able to
keep his promise to go down to them.
You may believe he took good care not
to inform the father of the real reason
that had prevented him from paying his
duties to his betrothed.
The red.faced man, however, had no
intention of breaking off his marriage,
until he was accosted one morning in
the streets of Marseilles by the mus
tached gentleman who asked if he still
persisted in his intentions to marry the
young lady.
" Certainly" was the reply.
Then" said the other, if you want
to reach her hand you will have to mount
first on my dead body, and, secondly, on
the dead body of the lieutenant. Are
you prepared to scale these fortresses2"
I" Certainly MOI"
."Then go home; write to the lady's
father that circumstances compel you to
abandon your promise to wed her. l
shall know by the day after tomorrow if
that letter has been written. If yes,
will be your friend, and help you, as /
have helped the lieutenant, in any homo
rable love scheme you may choose to
enter upon; if no, be prepared to meet
me in the evening.
The letter was written, and six months
after the young lady was married to the
lieutenant,