The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-14

the matter was amicably settled. Pat was
sent for, the boys shook hands end pledged
each other in French's celebrated iuleps
Bat this is not the end of my "yarn;"
If IL was, 1t would scarcely have been
worth ''reeling off," Pats after expert
ence, not with the stgunner's daughter"
but with the 'Captain's widow" was the
amusing sequel. There lived IN Norfolk at
tho time all old lady usually calldd "Aunt
Polly" whose husband had been sea-cap.
tain, and who kept a boarding-h house for
midshipman. Officers of higher grade
she never entertained, but the "middles"
were her special pets; she scolded aud
indulgcd them to their hearts content.
Sometimes she inflicted severcr discipline,
it is said, by sharp cut or two with her
''pcrsuadcr" when they tried her too far;
at which the youngsters only laughed, of
course. This instrument was red cow
hide, kept for the colorcd servants. Jack
N was great favorite with the old
woman, wto somehow or other, had got
wind OF the proposed duel and was IN an
unusual state of uneasiness about it. Now
Jack and Blake, knowing "Aunt Polly's"
disposition, determined to have some fun
out Of Pat; 80, before going home, for
they all boarded with her, the former tied
his arm in sling, as if he had been shot.
tic received the good DANES scolding and
sympathy very quietly, and then retired TO
the upstairs sitting. room. The more
Aunt Polly" thought of it, the moro she
pitied ''hcr boy" as she was in the habit
OF calling HIM, and the more angry she
grew with his supposed enemy, who did
not stand very high in her good graces.
Abt ut half all hour after Jacks return.
Pat entered the front door and started up-
stairs with rollicking song on his lips.
He was dressed in the usual short, blue
uniform jacket and pair of tight.lltting
white trousers. He had scarcely reached
tue first step when a red stick whlzzed
through the air, and he thought lightning
had struck him in the rear-whack!
cpl teach you to fight duels and shoot
my boy you great blackguard.
stop that will your" shouted Pat.
what the ID do you mean?"
Whack! Whack
'I'll teach you-'
But Pat did not stop to wait for the
argument; he darted upstairs like d fiy-
ng-fish with whole school of tlophins
after him. AS he burst into the sitting
room where the other two ''mlddics'' were.
quietly awaiting the denouemcnt, rubbing
his seat of honor, his face red as boiled
lobster, and spluttering oaths, they both
asked him in a breath:
"Why, what on earth is the matter.
Pat?'
"Mattcrl That old catamaran down
stairs has been welting me with her per
suader'-ooh how it hurts Curse her.
IN have her arrested as sure as my name
is Pat M--.''
'What in the world did she do it for"
asked Blake.
"Why, she says" continued Pat still
rubbing his wounds and dancing around,
that fought duel with you, Jack, and
shot you."
swell, didn't you ?" replied Jack, with
a qnizzical smile. "Don't you sec NV
arm in a sling2"
Pats realization of the enormity of the
''sell' which had been perpetrated on him
was 80 sudden and stunning that he was
not only spcechless, but almost forgot his
nan, and when lie found his voice, uproar-
ious shouts of laughter fairly drowned his
angry relnonstrances. He was a good fcl-
low at heart, however, and the affair was
amicably settled after al outward and in
ward application of ''old rye" with promi-
scs Of secrecy.
AS for "Aunt Polly" when the Joke
was explained to her, being little asham-
cd of her own violence, she only lifted her
eyes and hands with the ejaculation
20! these midsmpmcn-"
Further uttcrance failed her.