Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-29

you what my opinion is, that a man who
tries to entrap young girl into clandes-
tine appointment, without the knowledge
of her parents, and he old enough to be
her father, is no better than cad--l said
cad, SIR"
.sOh. did YOU? Did you, really - SAID
Mr.. Humphreys.
Now, there is an opinion which, i'll the
vulgar tongue, is known as 'ballooning,"
and which consists in Selling a person
from behind by the collar of his coat and
by another portion OF his attire and drlv-
ing him on before you. a person who IS
thus "ballooned'' is very helpless; be may
squeal, or use bad language. or try to
kick; but on he must go. Well, no soon
or had Mr. Maurice uttered these last
words than Mr.. Humphreys Immediately
laid hold of him i'll the manner above des-
cribed. and began to run him down the
slope to the meadows to the side of the
river. The younger man did squeal-wth
absolute rage-he did use bad language,
and with might and main struggled to get
free His enemy-with shout of derl-
sive laughter which rang through the
place-held him firm and drove him right
down to the stream. The whole affair had
taken place so quickly that there was no
chance of interference; and it was ali
over in a second.
For, as it happened, there was a log Of
wood lying concealed among the grass by
the rivers side; Maurice tripping over 1t;
stumbled and fell headlong into the water;
while Humphreys, stumbling also, but
having proper warning, fell, but managed
to save himself from going into the stream.
The next minute Maurice had scrambled
out again through the rushes, dripping
from head to heel, and trying to get his
wet hair out of his eyes. His hat was
quietly floating down the Thames.
His rival stood firm. | fully expected
to be the unwilling witness of combat
like that which the lover of Helen OF Kirk
council described when, by the riverside,
he drew his sword and hacked his rival
zip pieces small" But the young man
was wise young man. and who can
fight with ones eye blinded and ones gar
ment heavy with water?
You shall hear from me within an
hour" said he ominouslv, as he made for
the garden of the inn, by which way he
had hoped to get in unpercciyed to the
house.
Then ensued strange and wild scene.
The elderly gentleman tossed his wide
awake into the air He caught ii coming
down, and kicked it dozen yards out in
to the long grass. Then, with his hands
in the air. he performed a savage dance of
Joy, swapping his fingers and calling out
"How hath the cheeky fallen He bath
been overcome and vanquished, utterly
smote out and annihilated, scrunched up
and knocked into everlasting smithereens.
NV dear friend, shall we have drink on
the strength of this It's now the witch
ing hour of halt-past six, when he who
loves his dinner might have tiny glass OF
sherry-nich aotar p
His friend took more sober view off
the situation.
The best thing you can do is TO com
pose your nerves with something else than
sherry. You'll have to fight that young
man as soon as he gets dry clothes on
you may as well make up your mind to
it."
.And who's afraid ?" said he. WHO
afraid of that sand -colored bell-ropc-that
elongated pelican-that indefinite length
of Sydenham trowsers and shirt collar?
Bah will twist him around the trunk OF
a tree, and people will mistake him in the
morning for snake that has died of 4
bilious attackt'
CHAPTER Iy.-THE DUEL.
In very snort space OF time the young
man came out again, dressed in another
suit of clothes. He went past us rapidly,
without speaking. We saw him cross the
bridge and go into the town.
Now, what is he up TO ?' said Mr.. |
Humphreys, tritle more serious.
'.He is either gone to get policeman
to give you in charge for assault, or to get
q pair of pistols at an irOnmongec's.
Pistols - said Mr.. Humphreys, con-
temptuously ''that would be like the It,
natic."
And it was for few moments after
Mr.. Maurice returned, and coming up to
his rival. firmly and courteously informed
him that he meant to fight him; that he
did not think he would have fair
chance in a vulgar boxing match, but that
he had bought pair of pistols with which
they could settle the quarrel in the
adjoining meadow. Mr.. Humphreys lis
tened with laugh on his face he saw
that it was no use making a joke about it
and finally, stung by chance remark OF
his opponent, he said, IAN right come
along!'
Now, what was the third person who
was the spectator of all this folly to do !?
The whole affair seemed so incredibly rid
Jealous that to call any ones attention to
it might have been compromising, and
vet, TO all appearances, these two were
going down TO the side of the river to load
these pistols and fire them at each other.
81 thought" said |, THAT when gentle
men in France went out TO fire half'loaded
weapons at each other, they generally
took with them a doctor, to make believe
the thing was serious. Don't you mean to
have doctor, or any seconds, or any re-
porter to send romantic account to
Figaro ?"
"We shall do very well by ourselves, y
said the young man. and the two imbe-
Giles walked off.
There remained but one thing for me to
do. In certain chamber in that old-fash-
toned inn there was lady dressing for
dinner; and when she is putting flowers
in her hair she does not like to be disturbed
However, when | represented to her the