Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-02-05

well-known-man an opportunity to
murder me, j shall unquestionably an
swer. Mo-"
Mr.. Fowler. my friend and | w3re
officers in the same Confederate regi-
ment, and from long acquaintance with
him can assure you that he is man
of his word. His directions and my in
clinations were to treat you rs court
eously rs possible, and I only employ
positive action II il became positively
necessary. Your reply forces that alter
native; so | must inform you that he
has absolute proof that you are the man
whom he has been seeking, that he is
determined to treat you ms he believes
you deserve, and that no evasion or
quibble will turn him frsm his purpose
which purpose is explained in this
| letter"
viii blanched little NJ he read the
document, but he handed ii to me and
quietly said to the stranger:
"If you'll return in half an hour
will give you an answer, or, if you pre-
fer it, ] will send you one through n
friend"
The man of war accepted the first ar
tice and retired. The letter read AS
follows:
SIR: Feeling sure that, although you hold
the position OF gentleman, you do not pos
sess the spirit OF one, and will not be willing,
therefore, to offer tho redress naturally ex.
pected from one I send you the following hint
| in writing, that my friend may be relieved
| IRON the disagrecablc task OF delivering il
personally. II you have spark ol manhood
you will accept the proposition which he has
delivered 10 you verbally, and will treat you
as though believed you To be "a man of cour-
/ bHf n got I apta mil hot
will horsewhip you in the public streets, and
brand you ms n coward.
CIhe Man Whom Ion Know
GEORGE TRAVELS.
We looked blankly at each other for Il
few moments, and then Will said:
Great heaven! This is the DEVILS
own. What am | TO do? The fellow
seems to be in earnest, and his deputy
certainly doesn't look like a black
mailer, and it's a nice pickle. anyhow.
If accept the challenge I'm sure TO be
disgraced. for, of course. the whole
muddle will get out in the papers. and
by the law in this State will forfeit all
chance of promotion, officially or pro-
fessionally. II, on the other hand. re-
fused To have anything to do with this
absurd business, run the chance of be-
ing attacked on the street, in which case. 4.
as have no great physical strength,
shall certainly shoot the man. and
either be shot myself or be hauled into
court dripping with scandal"
/ The situation certainly was not en-
couraging. and felt quite sorry for Will
as he raved along in an incohcrcnt ium-
! bic of =" IFS and lands" until finally
I said:
Brace up. old fellow! This sort of
thing won't do. The chief need now is
/ time for consideration 80 why don't
! you put a bold front on the matter and
accept his challenge. referring him to
me for the arrangements? II there is
anything fishy IL the business this will
stop their little game, and IL it prove to
be what il seems, n real case. why n
| compromise may be effected. and If that
should fail. you'll be no worse off than
/ you are how, and can fight or decline.
MS you see fit"
! Fowler adopted my sugg cstion. and
when Powder and-Balls returned. Will
said to him, in quietly fierce manner
You will be kind enough 10 inform
Mr.. Travcrs that it will give me great
satisfaction 10 lodge a bullet in his inn
pudent body. My friend. Mr.. -,
has kindly undertaken the management
of the affair. so for further particulars
! / must refer you TO him"
! The ambassador looked at me rather
curiously, aud asked If | could call on
| him Mt the sherman house in an hour.
Receiving an affirmative reply, he de-
parted.
/ did not find him at the Sherman
house, nor did we ever hear again from
either him or his principal. nor could
we find their names in the Milwaukee
directory. II was n decidedly curious
affair, ard Will puzzled over il i'm
mensely, even going so far ss 10 write
another letter To Josie Mason" asking
for an explanation; but none came.
A month later | went TO Iowa on n
long chicken hunt. From the first sta
tion sent back package by express 10
Fowler. Among its contents was this
letter:
DEAR Will: You have played n practical
joke on me, for which I have long been your
debtor; now think we can cry quits. Here
with inclose the entire correspondence be.
tween yourself and " Josie Mason " and her
fiery brother. Her letters and his were the
joint composition of Miss and myself
and much trouble IL has given ms TO please
your critical literary taste. II was good prac.
ticc, however, and not such bad iun, 30 we did
not grudge the labor. The challenge was
brought by cousin OF hers. Allow me to re-
peat the advice which you curtiy rejected
at the beginning oi this little experience, viz.
the impropriety and possible risk Of roistolRry
ventures on the part OF a married man.
II you'll take the Joke kindly wen promise
not TO peach.
Your sincere friend and old chum,
|
Our handsomest wedding present
came from win. II was large secre.
tary, beautifully inlaid. and fitted with
| n gorgeous array of writing material. -