Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-21

Ky LEoN oRAGUEI..

EA LEUN NkAtsl Z his
a strange looking person sat in
| renowned cOilee-hOuse or cafe, read
ing the papers, but at the same time
smoking ) small clay pipe and
drinking his coffee with an air of
satisfaction. lie wore complete
suit of black, which was cut in the
latest style; fine white neck-tie, or
scarf, being the only thing white 10
be seen in his dress.
In stalked Major l., accompanied
by several military friends. The
! Major was far different in disposi-
/ ton and character from any OF his
comrades. lie possessed an ungoF-
/ eruable passion 10 ridicHle every
thing and to persecute everything
| with his sarcasm; therefore he was
much feared by his companions.
/ The Major seemed Ia be ih \
rather lively humOr, and it appeared
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 pc
| culiar dress, had hardly been espied
/ by the Major, than he slid quietly
/ UGllAlu HIS Nn1AA - ~ nNH
| accidental, and blew the light out.
His comrades laughed. The strang-
er coOlly Telit the gas as though
nothing had happened, aud eontiii-
ued reading.
Now, thought the Major, Il know
my man; be will stand something"
He therefore approached him, and
said, sarcastically, "good evening
my dear .TdmUI0us," 81 the same
time grasping his hand, and with il
the pipe he held which was thereby
broken into pieces.
Waiter, another pia iae," called out
the man in black, seemingly very
quiet and cool.
The comrades of the Major laugh
ed still louder.
The Major called him 4 splendid
fellow.
As he could not rouse the ire OF
this party, as was generally the case
with those whom he selected as his
victims, and also being invited to
take a hand in 3 game of whist, he
went into one OF the play-rOOms,
followed by his entire suite, aud let
the man in black sit quietly.
The party in black continued read
ing his paper, and drank his coffee,
and seemed to have quite forgotten
the recent 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 stepping up before
him and catching him by the lapel
of his coat, said:
"Sirl tomorrow morning we
fight, and with pistols"
$50, So" interrupted the Major;
"Will the school teacher bring his
rattan with him."
"You are mistaken, sir, | am cap
tain in the British navy. To-mOr-
row morning we meet at the Poets
lane"
The captain left without another
word.
The entire company OF yesterday
appeared at the appointed place
with the Major the following morn
| ing. The captain, in magnificent
Uniform, awaited them aud bowed
very politely.
The captain not having amy
second, one OF the Majors suite
| volunteered to act IS such.
"Thank you ;" replied the captain,
81 need no second. / have my jock
ey with me, and should | fall, he
knows what is TO be done. You are
all men of honor, and will allow no
mean advantage 10 be taken ofme."
The pistols were now loaded,
fifteen PAGES counted on, and the OPP
| pOnents took their places.
''YO on are the insulted party said
the Majors second TO the captain,
''and therefore have the first shot"
The captain raised his pistol aud
aimed.
There was an uHearthly stiffness
among the small circle, aud the Ma
ior turned pale.
The captain lowered his pistol,
and said, "as the Major will not
have the second shot he shall shoot
| first"
lOu seem TO be certsin 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 your renunciatiOn of the first
shot But nevertheless |, as we'll AS
all here assembled, cannot allow 81.
You are all alone, and without
seconds. You have come under our
ANH AA4AAQAa oAA HAOOAs
Il do not wish to seem sure OF my
art, bat be sure OF il. / never joke.
With my pistols hit to certainty,
of which you shall soon be con-
vinced. JOhn," and he called his
jockey, "thrOw somethingup in the
air."
The jockey pulled cut his hand
kerchief.
"NO," said the captain, some
thing smaller, piece OF money, a
button or something of the kind"
The jockey pulled plum out OF
his pocket.
"GOOd, john" cried the captain,
"nOw throw il high up in the air"
The Jockey threw the plum up;
the captain aimed, there was fash
aud a report, aud the plum came
squirting down, bursted in 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 quiet
ly reloaded his pistol in presence of
the second, and went back to take
his place.
lie had also regained some of his
GOODNESS.
''ShOOt, Major" cried the captain.
The second wanted to interfere,
bat the captain put him back, and
shouted little rough, "ShoOt, Ma
jor."
The Major shot, and missed.
"ShOOt again, Major; you aimed
Iniserably. Should / fall il 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 ex-
cused himself for having laughed
yesterday. The second said nothing
against the second shot, because the
Major now shot for them all; then
il This monster did not bite the dust
he would shoot them all down like
dogs.
The Major raised his pistol and
aimed, but everything seemed swim
ming before his eyes. His nerves
were unsteady.
The captain looked him straight
in the fSce. At last he said, "Yes-
terday / was your teacher in joke
to-day / will have 10 be your teach
er in earnest. You hold yOsr weap-
on too high. You will never hit
me -