The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-03-30

vows that he will she'd the last drop of
his blood first.
:. What sanguinary monster he must
be, " was my internal reflection.
The meeting is appointed for to-
morrow morning, an hour before sun
rise, }" resumed the lieutenant. It is to
take place at Hoboken weapons, pistols;
distance, fifteen PAGES"
l." Isn't that rather near2" / ventured
! to remark.
"Near9 OF course, you want it near.
You will be more likely to hit your
man.
"And he will be more likely to hit
me-" ] rejoined.
"Of course, was the careless reply.
6 You must take your chances of that.
I could not help wondering whether
he would be SO cool about it we're he the
principal, and I the second. In fact, /
have always observed that seconds are
much more scrupulous about the honor
of their principals than they are dis
posed to be about their own. suppose
It is human nature. I think it alto
gether likely that I should make a very
fierce second.
Sc I suppose you are used to pistols e.
remarked my friend.
Used to pistols! remembered once
having fred one as a boy, to the immi-
nent danger of my little sisters life.
Since then I had not had one in my
hands.
| AS strolled out into the streets in an
unhappy frame ,of mind, newsboy
thrust into my hands daily paper,
which mechanically bought. CHANGING
over the columns, I observed that .ooat
was advertised as about to start that day
for Havana. The hour of departure was
four in the afternoon. A sudden
thought struck me. Would it not be
much better to embark for Cuba than re-
main behind to be shot "a result which
the state of my nerves and my want OF
practice with the pistol rendered alto
gether probable.
With newborn alacrity, Immediately
repaired to the boat, and demanded to
see the agent. He informed me that the
boat would positively start at the hour
indicated.
/ asked to see the list of passengers.
Running my eyes casually down the
List, my heart beat quickly as they fell
on the last name. Gould it be possible
that my opponent. Capt. Achilles Brown,
had secured passage? What could be
his motive?
"When did this gentleman book his
name as passengers" inquired.
"Not half an hour since.
ssDid he understand that the boat
! started today"
eyes he made particular inquiries
on that point.
"Will you describe him to me? Is
he tall ?"
eyes, quite SO.
tsAnd has o black mustache9"
.Yes.''
"a dark complexion, and wears large
cloak9"
Precisely. You know him, then ?"
every slightly said I, carelessly.
"By the way, don't think [ shall be
able to get away for week. I won't
engage to-day"
1--WE would give you good accommo-
dations."
"No doubt of that. On the whole,
you needn't mention to Captain Brown
that anybody inquired for him."
NY heart bounded with exultation, as
with some difficulty I realized that my
opponent, whom [ had dreaded SO much,
was about to leave the country from fear
of encountering me.
What joke that wasl laughed all the
way home, though / endeavored to pre-
serve my gravity. On the way home ]
purchased brace of pistols, which I
SYSTEMATICALLY displayed on reaching my
boarding place.
"To think you should risk your life
for me-, simpered the fair Sophronia.
"Miss Sophronia, said /, with suita-
BILE ferceness, emo one shall with i'm.
punity insult lady while under my
protection.
During a portion of the afternoon I
practiced shooting at mark and was
never more lively than at the tea-table.
Lieutenant Eustace, who was present,
seemed considerably surprised at the
change In my demeanor, and was evil
IDENTIFY puzzled to account for il.
After tea / invited the company to
witness my will, which / had drawn up
for the sake of producing an impression.
1t proved quite Is master stroke.
noticed that Lieut.. Eustace treated me
with increasing respect, while Sophronia
repeated several times under her breath,
but loud enough for me to hear, "Brave
man
All this I enjoyed, and took the OPP
portunity to discourse severely upon
the sacredness of honor, in defense of
which I asserted that any man ought to
be willing to lay down his life.
In the course of the afternoon had
the pleasure of Witnessing the sailing of
the Ariel, Capt. Brown on board.
Whether this circumstance had anything
to do with inspiring in me these eIe-
waited sentiments, I leave the reader to
judge.
The next morning at an early hour