The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-12-16
A GAME FOR LIFE Or DEATH.

a GAMh tOh LII II Oh LIZ d.
It was night in the camp of Maxi
milian's army and sounds of merriment
were heard upon all sides, for soldiers
are ever wont to indulge in pleasure, re-
gardless what the morrow will bring
forth.
In tent in the inner circle of the
camp sat two officers at a rude table,
upon which was marked with lead
pencil chess, or checker board, while
black and white buttons served for the
''men."
Around the tent were stationed guards
and both of the officers were unarmed,
while not weapon of any description
was visible in their canvas room.
They were prisoners soldiers in the
service of Juarez, captured the day be-
fore /; but their appearance indicated
that they were not Mexicans.
Both men were of tall, commanding
forms, and of easy, graceful address
but where one had dark blue eyes, and
light hair and mustache, the other had
eyes that were large and black, with
brown hair and mustache.
Both men were exceedingly hand
some, and upon their faces bore the i'm
press of noble souls and hearts thai
knew no fear.
A love of adventure had caused them
to leave their homes in the north, after
the close of the civil war, in which both
had fought bravely, and cast their
swords with Juarez, to aid in driving
from Mexican soil German emperor.
Capoul Monteith, the blonde officer,
WAS young man of wealth and good
family, a New Yorker, and pet in
society.
Garnet Weston, the brunette, was a
poor man, a young lawyer in New York,
of good, though poor parentage. He
was possessed of superior intelligence,
and was fast winnig name, when he
crossed the path of Mabel Monteith, the
sister of Capoul, and beauty and an
heiress.
So deeply did Garnet love Mabel that
he was miserable when not in her
presence, and he believed she cared for
him; but his pride was great, and he
would not offer pauper hand to a belle
and an heiress, and so struggled hard to
win fortune and fame in his profession.
One day, an evil day for Garnet, pre-
tended friend told him that Mabel was
his promised wife, but that their engage
ment had not yet been made public.
Like one in a dream Garnet Weston
listened, and then in despair determined
to seek some more stirring field, where
the image of lost love would not be ever
before him.
A month later found him cavalry
captain in the army of Benito Juarez,
where few weeks later, he was sur
prised to be joined by Capoul Monteith,
who had also offered his services to the
Mexican President.
In an engagement, two days before
they are presented to the reader in their
tent, they had been captured and carri-
ed into the line of Macmillan.
That night in camp they were playing
agame of checkers, pour passer le temps,
and Capoul, who was an expert player,
was surprised to see how readily he was
beaten by Garnet.
Suddenly heavy tread resounded
without, the sentinel challenged, there
was response, and the next infant three
of Maximillan's officers entered the tent,
one of whom was an American, Re-
public; fighting for imperial Mexico,
against the Republic; another was
fashy-looking Frenchman; the third
was a Mexican colonel.
Gentlemen, am sorry to disturb you;
but news has come tonight that Benito
Juarez has executed captain of our
army, and have orders to select one of
you, and march you forth to die in
retaliation" and the American imperia-
list looked sad over the duty he had to
perform.
''You cannot mean that one of us
must die for an offence against Maximi-
lian by Juarez," said Capoul Monteith,
rising.
''Even so are my orders, sir; but /
know not which to select, for my duty
is most painful"
'Let the gentlemen play game for
the choice-the loser to die, suggested
the young Frenchman.
"a good idea, monsieur. Gentlemen,
observe You were playing game of
checkers when we entered, SO set to
work and play three games. the one who
wins two of them to escape, the other to
die"
when is this execution to be?' asked
Garnet Weston.
"Within the hour, sir"
every well; Capoul, I am ready for
hat game of life and DEATH
Capoul Monteith paced to and fro the
tent with quick, nervous strides; he was
young, handsome, possessed of vast
wealth, and fond of life, and he cared
not to be thus shot down like dog; but
he was brave man, and thought of
Garnet Wes OF, whom he had always
admired, and half wished to be the loser
rather than to see his friend die.
81 am ready" he at length said, and
the two friends, strangers in strange