The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-11-19

And here let the curtain drop on the mel
ancholy scene, while we follow the fort unes
| of the black valise No. g.
When the train stopped at Camden four
| gentlemen got off and walked am-in-arm
rapidly up one of the by streets, and struck
| off into n footpath leading into a secluded
| grove outside of the town. OF the first two
one was our military friend in blue coat
apparently the leader of the party. Ofthe
| second two one was carrying n black valise.
Their respective companions walked with
hasty, irregular strides, were distracted and
apparently i'll at ease.
The party stopped.
This is the place" said Captain Jones.
Yes" said DR.. Smith.
The Captain and the Doctor conferred to-
gether. The other two studiously kept
apart.
VERY well, I'll measure the ground and
do you place your man."
1t was done.
"Now for the pistols" whispered The Cap
tain to fellow second.
"They are all ready in the valisc,' replied
the Doctor
The principals were placed ten feet apart,
and wore that decidedly uncomfortable air a
man has who is in momcntary expectation of
being shot dead
1ou MT, ScllllclllCll, SIMULTANEOUSLY
when | give the word" said the Captain.
Then, in an undertonc to the Doctor -
Quick, the pistols"
The Doctor, STOPPING over and fumblng
at The vaise, appeared to discover something
which surprised him.
why, what the devil"
whats the matter ?" asked the Captain,
striding up. Cant you find the caps?''
deuce pistol or a cap but this"-
He held up lady's night cap.
Look here-and here" holding up, sue
cessively, q hair brush, long white night
gown, cologne bottle and comb.
They were greeted with long, loud wills
tie by the Captain, and blank stare by the
principals.
"Confound the luck" calculated the Cap
tain, "if we haven't made mistake and
brought the wrong valise."
The principals looked at the seconds. The
seconds looked at the principals, Nobody
volunteered a suggestion.
At last the Doctor inquired: "Well what
is to be done?"
Odd unluckyp again calculated the Cap
tain, 'the duel can't go on"
Evidently not" replied the Doctor, "un-
less they brain each other with the hair
brush, or take n pop at each other with the
cologne bottle"
GU are qultc sure there are no pistols in
the valise 7" said one of the principals, with
suppressed eagerness, and drawing n long
breath of evident relief
1--WE must go over to the city and get the
pistols" proposed the Captain.
"And by that time it will be dark, said the
Doctor.
very unucky"
1--WE shall be the laughing stock of the
town." consolingy remarked the Doctor, "if
this gets wind"
"one word with you, Doctor" here inter
posed the principal.
They conferred.
AT the end of the conference with his prin-
cipal the Doctor advanced to the Captain
and conferred with him. Then the Captain
conferred with his principal. Then the
seconds conferred with each other.
Finally, il was formally agreed between
the contending parties that q statement
would be drawn up in writing whereby prin-
cipal No. 1 rendered the assurance that the
offensive words-"You are n liar p-were
not uttered by him in personal sense, but
solely as an abstract proposition in a general
way in regard to the matter of fact under
dispute. To which principal No. appends
his statement of his high qualification at this
candid and honorable explanation, and I'M
qualifiedly withdrew the offensive words
you are ascoundrel," they having been used
by him under Misrepresentation of the intent
and purpose of the remark which had pre-
coded them.
There being no longer a cause for quarrel,
the duel was of course ended. The princi-
pals shook hands, first with each other, next
with the seconds, and were evidently very
glad to get out of it.
"And now that it is happily settled" said
the Doctor, chuckling and rubbing his hands,
''it proves to have been a lucky mistake, after
all, that we brought the wrong valise Won
der what the lady who owns it will say when
she opens it and sees the pistols ?"
Every well for you to laugh about it,"
growled the Captain, "but it's no Joke for me
to lose my pistols. Hair triggers-bcst Eng
fish make, and gold-mounted. There amt
finer pair of shooters in America
"Oh, we will find them We will go on
pilgrimage from house to house, asking if any
lady there has lost her nightcap and found n
pair of duelling pistols"
In very good spirits the party crossed the
river and inquired at the baggage room in
| reference to each and all black leather
travelling bags that arrived that day, took
| note ofwhere sent, ard set out to follow them
up. In due time they reached the Continen-
| tai, and as luck would have it, met the I'M
| happy bridal pairjust coming down in charge
| of the detective.
"What's the meaning all this ?" inquired
the Captain.
ooh, q couple of burglars caught with va
lise of stolen property"
"a valise what kind of valsc ?''
"a black leather valise. That is it there"
| Here! Stop Halloo Police Landlord /!
| It's all right! You are all wrong 1t is all a
mistake. They got changed at the depot
| That 1nlu and lnn1an innppant
Here is their valise with her nightcap in
| it,"
| Great was the laughter, mutifarious the
comments, and deep the interest of the
crowd in all this dialogue, which they APP
peared to regard as delightful entertainment
got up expressly for their amusement.
"Then you say this thing here is yours"
said the detective, relaxing his hold upon
the bridegroom, and confronting the Cap.
tain.
"Yes, il is mine"
"And how did you come by these spoons
| Spoonsp You Jackanape said the Cap
tain dueling pistols"
"Do you call these pistols said the police
man, holding up to view one of the silver
spoons marked T. b.,
The Captain, astonished, gasped, "1ts
the wrong valise again, after all"
"Stop, not 80 fast p'said the police function
airy, now invested with great dignity by the
importance of the affair he found himsefen
gagged in. "Ifit so as be how you've got the la
dy's valise, she is all right, and can go. But il
that case this is yours and it comes on yor
to account for them stolen spoons. Have tc
take you in charge, all four Of ye."
"Why, you impudent scoundrelp roaret
the Captain; II wish had my pistol here
Id teach you to insult a gentleman p shak
| ing his fist.