Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-03-21

ing, and 1t you win you will receive
what you will not find 1t worth your
while to lake," said the man with
the mustache, following us.
81 did not make my remarks to
| you, sir"
The little man, amazed at this
prosecution, touched his forehead
to signify that the gentleman with
the mustache was mad.
''Pll bet you don't prove that I'm
mad," said the other.
There was pause. They looked
like two dogs waiting to be slipped
tor fight.
"Upon my word," said the red
faced man, 81 know nothing of this
fellow. He is a most impudcnt ras-
cal, whoever he is; and have a
great mind to make him march off"
"I'll make you any bet you like
that you don't make me march off p
exclaimed the other, pulling his
mustache, "and I'll further bet any
thing you like that l make you take
the road back to Paris, and that, too,
without any delay"
The little man, whose face was
now a deep crimson with rage, blurt-
ed out
"You won't find that very easy
matter, for l came here to get mar
ried."
"One hundred Napoleons, you do
not marry"
"Sir, you are an impudent scoun-
drel, and l will pull your nose"
"r'll make you any bet you like
you lie!"
The little man stamped with rage.
He glanced around him for some
moments in silence, then exclaimed:
"Do you want me to shoot you?'
"I'll bet you don't shoot me"
"Where can we procure pistols?'
exclaimed the red-faced man, breath
ing short.
"The landlord will accommodate
u.s." answered the other.
He hurried into the house, and
reappeared with box containing a
brace Of pistols.
had hitherto treated the affair
as a joke, laughing in my sleeve at
the red-faced mans rage, and the
others cool inso!ence. But l thought
it was now time to interpose.
"Genllemen!'
But the mustached man turned
upon me with a trown.
81 believe this gentleman to be a
coward, sir" said he, "and if you
interfere, l shall conclude YOU are
conspiring to prevent him from
proving himself a coward"
l said no more, but followed the
two men to lonely spot in the park,
where the cigar hero was salu,ed by
an officer of the garrison, who was
willing to become his second.
Having loaded his pistols, We
placed the men. 1t was agreed l
should give the signal, which was
to throw a five franc piece in the
air.
My position was peculiarly dis
agreeable one. Up TO the last mo-
ment had believed that the whole
business was rather cruel practi-
cal joke on the part of the man with
the mustache, and as my curiosity
was excited to follow this adventure
to its conclusion, l had volunteered
to be- the red-taced mans second;
but it seemed now that one or the
other, or both, must be killed.
"Sir," said the man with the ci-
gar, turning to me, II believe Mas
ter Jacques to be an honest man,
but, though l can vouch for his wine,
l can't vouch for his pistols. Be.
fore that gentleman and make a
target of one another, be so good as
to throw that five franc piece in the
air to see how my pistol carries"
! l did as he desired, and tossed
the money about seven yards high.
| heard the report of a pistol, and
the piece of money fell indented.
"Bet," said the man with the mus
tache, "that l pierce that leaf vi
brating at the extremity of yonder
bough."
Aud before the other could an
swer, the trigger was pulled and the
leaf was pierced.
"Bet," continued the man, with
the most ridiculous GOODNESS, shat
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.
81 believe you," he said, trcm-
bling from head to foot, and throw
ing his pistol down. 81 guess your
motives and admire your stratagem,
and as l am not prepared to die,
shall take the road back again to
Marseilles."
In fact, we saw him deposit him
self in the imperiale of the diligence.
turned to the mustached gentle
| man for an explanation. He 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 lieu
tenant, and famous as the most dead
ly shot in France. He had received
a letter the day before from his
friend, begging him to come to F.
and help him to carry out ruse
which he trusted would enable him
to marry the girl he was passion
ately in love with.
The mustached gentleman COM
piled, 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 sue
cessful. The little red-faced man,
as l aftcrward heard, on his reach
ing Marseilles wrote to the father Of
his intended bride, apologizing tor