Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-04-23

MacMahon's residence, disguised as Co
chin-China fowl, he learned that the invi-
tation which he held in his talons must be
hoax, for his Excellency was giving no
ball that night. Yet the invitation had
been signed in the name of Viscount
d'Harcourt, the Presidents secretary, and
had conveyed in express terms
that no guests would be admit
ted without fancy costume, more
over, Mr.. Turf and his friends Prince
J Casino and the Marquis de Rigodon had
each pretended to have similar invita-
tions, and 1t was at Mr.. Tufts suggestion
that N. Pistache had arrayed himself like
Cochin-Chlna fowl, "for," said the
American, 1--WE had better ali four 90 as
poultry, and make quadrille of it." II
is true that tarces are permissible in car
niyai time, and NJ. Pistache should have
been on his guard; but there are farces
which exceed all limits, raved NJ. Pistache,
as he rolled back to Paris in his ruffled
plumes; and such was his wrath that he
screamed to the cOachman to drive straight
to the club instead Of first going home to
change his things. The truth is that the
thirst for vengeance made him forgetful,
but perhaps the yellow feathers that
coated his legs and body and the cock 5
head, which he carried under his arm as a
Prussian officer does his helmet, some
what detracted from the outraged dig
nifty OF his countenance as he bounded up
the club staircase and plunged toward the
card-rOom. All M. Pistache's tOrmentors
are present-Prince Casino, who stops
halfway IN his deal to roar; young Rigo-
don, who sinks on to a sofa in spasms :;
and that diabolical American, who buries
CallnyU fapa in hiC &c Il
screams like a hyena.
"Ah, you Iaugh!' bowls M. Pistache,
whose plumage seems to bristle upon end
with fury, and, making dart toward Mr.
Tufts glass of mintjulep, he dashes that
beverage with rageful hand ever the
Americans elaborate walstcoat. There is
no retracting now, the deed IL done.
NJ. Pistache is hurried downstairs into
his brougham by the astounded bystand-
ers and he is vaguely conscious as he
speeds homeward that he has mentioned
two hussar officers-the Marquis de
Muguet and Count MirlifloI, both specta-
tors of the scene-to act as his friends
Then an hour passes, and after that another
hour, and NJ. Pistache, Invested of his
fancy costume, robed in a dressing
gown and feverishly smoking a cigar, sits
by his fireside as the two hussars enter to
give him an account of their mission
If NJ. Pistache had caught them outside
the door he might possibly have observed
that they were tittering and had a humOr-
Gus twinkle IN their eyes; but as it is he
notes only an aspect Of the utmost seri-
BUSINESS on their features.
at is a gloomy business, my poor
Pistache," begins NJ. de Muguet, and he
unfolds how that American, being a
sanguinary character, and having as the
insulted party the choice of weapons,
had stipulated for nothing less than that
the two principals should be let loose in
the Bots de Vincennes, each with a rifle
and fifty cartridges, and do their best at
each other from behind the trees. " But
we explained that this was impossible be-
cause the shooting season is over and the
forest rangers might wonder" adds the
Marquis feelingly; and then he was for
G Corsican duel-foot to foot with two
daggers apiece"
Good Heavens! but the man is a
BRUTE" falters M. Pistache, experiencing
something like humps OF ice running down
his spine.
eyes, he's downright BRUTE" answers
the Marquis, but we have obtained rea-
sOnable terms at last; you are each to
have pair of doubled-barreled pistols,
to stand at ten PAGES apart, and to fire at
will, walking toward each other"
"Ten paces-four bullets, answers NJ.
Pistache, with eyes starting, and a huge
lamp rising to his throat; but he can add
no more, for this is mere murder-one of
those unnatural, barbarous cOmbats
which, as abovesaid, are unworthy of a
Frenchman, and NJ. Pistache sees that his
doom is sealed. "Thank you, my
friends" he says, recovering a deadly
calm after the first moments emotion.
Thanks, | shall be ready" and the pair
of hussars, wringinp his hands in silence,
promise to be with him at seven, and
withdraw. 1t is thou five o'clock, and
when the friends reap ear at seven, hav-
ing box of pistols IN their brougham beg
low, a heap of sealed envelopes are lying
on NJ. Pistache's tahi !. NJ Pistache has
made his will and Iden pathetic but
untrembling good-Ea to all his kinsfolks
and acquaintance.
A golden sun, Bile sky, an open ex-
panse of turf for a clear mile to north and
south, and the Grand Stand Of the Vim
cennes race-course acting as a shelter to
the east-such is the smooth, glad spot
where NJ. Pistache and Mr.. Turf are 60
ing to eXterminate one another. There is
no waste of time in formalities, for that
glass of mint-julep must be obliterated in
gore without delay; so the principals and
seconds cOldly bow, the ground is meas
ured, the pistols are loaded, and then NJ.
Pislache solemnly finds himself with
deadly weapon in each hand, waiting for
the fall of Prince Casinos handkerchief.
He feels no rancOr, only heroic resigna-
ton; but he chances at the Prince, and as
the handkerchief flutters to the earth two
rapid bangs are heard and then CHASTITY
spectacle appears, for the American, utter
ing fearful wall, losses his arms aloft,
and bites the grass.
you've killed him." exclaims Prince
Casino cOldly.
Yes, and it was we'll shot," adds NJ de
Rigodon; but you must fly the the coun-
try, and so must we, for there's prison and
perhaps hulk in this deed''
The heartlessness of these men astounds
M. Pistache, who stands dumb and hOr-
ror-stricken. He has killed a fellow
creature; he has shot the life out of man
at whom he had first thrown mint-julep,
which was surely insult and injury
enough in all his conscience. But let us
draw curtain over these hideous feelings
OF remorse. NJ. Pistache is pushed bv
the shoulders; he finds himself running
over turf, painting through a strip of wood,
Stumbling down road, and his four
callous friends, who have left the BODY
oehlnd them, are scurrying along with
nm, afrlghted and breathless. seeing
pursuant gendarmes in every twig which
Inc Wlno blows after them. How much
o. 1nls stampedlng was done by NJ. Pts