Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-04-13

it up here; took . peep inside. Sur
enough, there were the spoons; mark
ed T. b, too. Said it was yours. Shal
have to take you In charge"
"Take me in charge" ?" echoed th
bridegroom. "But assure you, dea
sir, there is some mistake-it's all mis-
take"
"S'pose you'll be able to account TO
the spoons being in your valise then p
"Why-I-it isn't mine; it must b.
somebody else's; somebody has pu
them in here it is some villainous con
spiracy."
"Now, you'll be able to tell straight.
er story before the magistrate young
man because if you don't, you stand 1
smart chance Of being sent up for six
months 6
20, Charles this is horrid! Do SEND
him away! o, dear! I wish was
home," sobbed the little bride.
II tell you, SIR" said the bridegroom
bristling with indignation, this is 9
vile plot. What would be doing with
your paltry spoons? Twas married this
morning in Fifth avenue, and I am on
my wedding tour. I have high relations
in New York. You'll repent it if you
dare arrest me.
"Oh come now, /" said the incredulous
official "I've heard stories like that be-
fore. This amt the first time swindlers
have travelled in couples Do you sup
pose don't know nothing? 'Tain't no
use you've just got to come to the sta
tion-house. Might as well 60 peaceably,
cause you have to-"
"Charles, this is perfectly dreadful =
Our wedding night in the station house
Do send for somebody. send for the
landlord to explain it."
The landlord was sent for and came
the walters, and chambermaids, and
bar room loungers came without being
sent for, and filed the room and adjoin>
ing haJl-some to laugh, and some to say
they wouldn't have believed it, but
nearly all to exult that the pair had been
"found out" No explanation could be
given, and the upshot was, in spite of
tears, threats, rage, and xpostulations,
the unfDrtunate, newly married pair
were taken in charge by the relentless
police, and marched down stairs en-
route to the police Office.
And here let the curtain drop on the
melancholy scene, while we follow the
fortunes of the black valise No. 2.
When the train stopped at Camden
four gentlemen got off and walked arm
in arm rapidly and silently up one of
the by -streets, and struck off into foot
path leading into secluded grove out
side the town. OF the first two one was
our military friend in q blue coat, ap
parently the leader of the party. Of the
second two one was carrying black
valise. Their respective companions
walked with hast3, irregular strides,
were abstracted and appareptlyillat ease.
The party stopped.
''This is the place." said Capt. Jones.
Eyes" said DIR. Smith.
The Captain ard the Doctor conferred
together. The other two sludiously kept
apart.
"very we'll. I'll measure the ground,
and do you place your man."
1T was done.
tNow for the pistols" whispered the
Captain to his fellow second.
''They are all ready in the valise," re
piled the Doctor. 80 81
The principals were placed ten PAGES
apart, and wore that decidedly uncom-
Portable air man has who is in momen-
tary expectation of being shot dead.
You will Gre, gentlemen. simnltane-
ously, when I give the Vord,". said the
Captain. Then in an undertone to the
Doctors:
Quick, the pistols u :
Tie Doctor, STOPPING over and fumb.
ling at the vaiise, appeared to discover
something which surprised him.
"Why, what the devil"
"What's the matter" asked the Cap
tain, striding up. "Can't you find the
caps?"
''Deuce pistol or cap but this"
He held up-a lady's nightcap.
Look here-and here !" holding up,
nightgown, a cologne. bottle, and a
comb.
They were greeted with q long, loud
whistle by the Captain, and q blank
stare by the principals.
Captain "if we haven't made mistake
and brought the..wrong valise."
The principals looked at the seconds.
The seconds looked at the princlpals.-
Nobody volunteered suggestion.
At last the Doctor inquired: "Well,
what is to be done?'
"D-d unlucky !" again calculated the
Captain "the duel can't go on"
"Evidently not," responded the Doc.
tor. unless they brain each other with
the hair brush, or take a pop at each
other with the cologne bottle.H
"You are quite sure there are no pis-
tolls in the yalise 2" said one of the prin-
cipals, with suppressed eagerness, and
drawing long breath of evident relief.
I'VE 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 unlucky!"
1--WE shall be the laughing stock of
the town." consolingly remarked the
Doctor. ''if this gets wind"
"One word with you, Doctor" here
interposed the principal.
They conferred.
At the end of the conference with his
principal the Doctor advanced to the
Captain and conferred with him. Then
the Captain conferred with his princi
pal. Then the seconds conferred with
each other.
Finally, it was formally agreed be
tween the contending parties that a
statement would be drawn up in writing
whereby principal No. ! rendered the
assurance that the offensive words
"YOu are u liar"-were not uttered by
him in a personal sense. but solely as an
abstract proposition in general way, in
regard to the matter of fact under dis
pnte To which principal No. appends
his statement Of bis high qualification at
this candid and honorable explanation,
and unqualifiedly withdrew the often
sive words-"You are q scoundrel"-
they having been used by him under
misapprehension of the intent and rur-
pose Of the remark with which he had
preceded them.
There being no longer cause for guar
rel, the duel vas of course ended. The
principals 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 so happily settl
ed" said the Doctor, chucking and rub
hing his hands, s'it proves to have been