Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-12-19
The captain raised his pistol and aimed.
There was al unearthly stiffness among the


small circle, and the ma jor turned pale.
The captain lowered his pistol, and said
"as 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 we'll as your remuneration Of the first shot
But, nevertheless, I, as well as all here assem-
bed, cannot allow it. You are here alone
and without seconds. You have come under
our regulation. Therefore, sir, shoot"
81 do not wish to seem sure of my art, but
be sure of it. I never joke. With my pistols
Init to a certainty, of which you shall soon be
convinced. John; and he called his jockey
"throw something up in the air.
The jockey pulled out his handkerchief
"No," said the captain, something smaller
piece of money, button or something Of
the kind"
The jockey pulled a plum out of his pocket
GOOD, john" cried the captain, "now
throw it high up in the air."
The Jockey threw the plum up the captain
aimed; there was flash and a report, and
the plum came squirting down bursted into
many pieces. -,
An involuntary bravo, escaped the lips Of
the lockers on. The major turned pale as
death.
The captain did not speak another word
about the plum shot, but quietly reloaded his
pistol in presence of his second, and went back
to take his place.
The ma ajor had also regained some of his
GOODNESS.
"Shoot, major" cried the captain.
The second wanted to interfere, but the
captain put him back and shouted little
rougher. "Shoot, major"
The major shot, and-missed.
"Shoot again, major; you aimed miserable
Should 1 fall it will be lucky, not alone for
you but for all of these gentlemen, because
intend to make you, one and all, look into the
muzzle of my pistol"
These words seemed like shrieks to the
lockers on. Every one excused himself for
having laughed yesterday. The second said
nothing against the second shot, because the
major now shot for them all, and if this mon
ster did not bite the dust he would shoot them
all down like dogs.
The major raised his pistol and aimed, but
every thing seemed swimming before his eyes.
His nerves we're unsteady.
The captain looked him straight in the face.
At last he said yesterday was your teach
er in joke; to-day I will have to be your
teacher in earnest. You hold your weapon
too high. You will never hit me-"
The major shot, and missed. A hot perspl,
ration could be seen on those anxious coun-
| tenances.
Then the captain raised his pistol and
aimed and-lowered tagain. "Major," spoke
the captain, "you are miserable creature. |
enquired about you yesterday, and every one
speaks ill of you. In two minutes you have
ceased to live. Now I will be your teacher
and command you to pray to the great and
retaliating God, and ask his forgiveness for
your sins. Pray that all the people whom you
have wronged may forgive you, and God will
have mercy on your soul. Hats OFT, gentlemen
When we speak with the great Master of the
world, it must be done with the head uncov'
ered."
All took off their hats and the jockey his
cap. With his eyes uplifted toward Heaven
the captain prayed fervently in behalf of the
major. The stern mans prayer had touched
ALL The majors heart beat audibly. He
was now upon that bridge which separates
life from death.
"Amenp came from all the lips.
Oh the plum had touched all hearts. All
put their hats on again. The hour of death
had come. The major had not single drop
of blood in his countenance. He trembled
so violently, that he was hardly able to stand
erect. In order to end his misery the captain
aimed quickly and-lowered his pistol, hand,
ed it to his jockey, and said, "The man is not
worth charge of powder" and left.
The next evening he appeared again
dressed in black, in the cafe, but no one dis
turbed him.
The major, of course, saw himself com
PEELED to resign his position in the army.