The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-11-02

shoot him, he ought to make over five
hundred year to his family, and thus
the parties would be upon equal
terms
Putting affection out of the ques
ton" added the banker.
The Major at this looked blank anC
puzzled; the Captain all establishment
at would only be putting down
your handsome phaeton and pair" re-
joined.the bankers second, calmly.
80, sir ! ah yes, indeed - ejacu-
lated the captain, reddening up to the
ears.
"But supposing l acceded to this
most irregular proceeding" said the
Major, " there is no time for ii. now, as
| cannot consent to withdraw my prin-
cipal from the field without an ex-
change of shots"
"That is not at all necessary" said
the banker. "This gentleman is my
Attorney Whereat, on the instant,
the little man in black whipped from
beneath his coat deed on parchment,
ready filled up, and wanting nothing
but the attachment of the signatures.
The Captain and the Major exchanged
looks of blank rage. They saw that,
in common parlance, it was ga sell, "
and they began to storm.
- A most absurd proceeding !-mer-
cenary proposal - calculated the Cap
tain: Put down my phaeton, in
deed !? Why, sir, this is beyond a
joke"
at is, indeed, most serious matter,
sirs," said the banker "Do YOU think,
sir, whether would not be justified in
considering it as something more than
an absurd proceeding and a pretty
Joke to be put dorm dead here, and
leave my wife and children to penury?
| know very well, sir, you are rare
shot, and can snuff candle with pis-
tol bullet. That dexterity l can't pre-
tend to, so in my case | run the great
est risk. Yet am ready to pit my life
against your phaeton and pair"
The Major looked more perplexed
than ever. The Captain more foolish
and puzzled.
Again, gentlemen, if l should be
killed, my wife and children will abso-
lutely need the money; but if | kill the
Captain, his property is absolutely of
no sort of use to him after his funeral
expenses are paid. Nor is my propo-
sal without precedent. Upon such oc-
casions, men of refined honor and high
courage have thought they could never
do enough. When Best shot Lord
Camelford, his lordship, on his death
bed, left his antagonist, who was in
very poor circumstances, handsome
income, rejoicing, no doubt, that he
had lived long enough to do such an
act of magnanimity and finished honor.
| never fired at a man as a mark in my
life; | am sure to be shot. So you see
my proposal is only fair one and as
| make it to men of honor, | expect it
to be acceded to-"
80, but!-yes, but!-you, sirr' ex-
claimed the Captain. 'Really," in
terrupted the Major, biting his lips, 81
really think, that, as men of finished
hOnor,we must acceed to the proposal"
The banker now fatty refused to fight
on any other terms, putting it directly
to the Major as the most refined point
of dueling honor that could be mani
tested on the occasion, till the two Off
GERS, though excessively provoked and
annoyed, could no longer refuse their
consent. The parchment was handed
to them by the attorney, who saw it
properly signed, and then the princi-
pals took their stand at fifteen PAGES
distance.
The banker had the first fire. Not
wishing to be banished his country, or
get into prison, or be tried for man
slaughter or murder, he took very good
care to fire wide of his mark, and away
flew his innocent ball, like humming
bird, across the fields.
Then came the Captains turn.
Now" whispered the Major, lain
low; keep steady-now-you've got
him.
Got him. stammered the Captain,
his face turning blue, and his jaws fall
ing. "Got him, put down my pha-,
pay five hundred a year for being called
a bullet-headed fool, and so prove it.
viii you pay the money if l hit him?'
Away sped the bullet; but of course
it did not hit the banker, though it
whistled rather too close past the law
yer's ear, who had forgotten to have a
similar agreement for himself in case
of accidents.
The antagonists then shook hands.
The Major withdrew the Honorable
Captain Eustace Fitz-Giles from the
field, declaring that "his honor was
satisfied and the banker went home
to his wife and children.
But it is not always that those "meet-
ings of honor so end.