The National tribune., 1881-11-05
GEORGE JONES'S DUEL
/ /.

Monsieur de Slecal was the first to break the
pause. Jones stood on one side of the table, his
hands in his pockets; Monsieur on the other, his
cane tucked under his arm, his hands behind his
back. Madame sat on the couch, apparently be-
wildered
Monsieur ShOoneS may | venture to inquire
what is this conduct of yours? 1t is only one
thing that ask; it is that you afford me satis-
faction"
His manner was at once polite and severe; his
stood rigid as a statue fascinating Jones with
his glittering eye. If he had in any degree lost
his temper he did not disclose the fact His
dignity imposing, his calmness crushing.
That fury which Madame had portrayed was
conspicuous by its absence. Jones was in fix.
"Give you satisfaction? What do you mean
Fight! Not if / know it! I'm not fool, sir! /!
Look here Monsieur, l declare to you that there
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significantly upon the shoulder
Monsieur Shoones, you will leave Madame
de Slecal out of the matter. If you are a gen
tleman, Monsieur, you will understand that |
will accept nothing but satisfaction-the de
Slecals still wear swords. Should you refuse
will compel you to accede.'
Compel me! ! never heard such nonsense in
all my life Do you suppose that II, man
in the office OF Public Works-have come over
here to make lunatic of myself? When I do
fight, you may stake your last shilling it will
be on less crack-brained grounds than these! If
you think your feelings are wounded, then. as
an Englishman and gentleman, offer you an
apology"
"An Apology" Monseur's tone conveyed
decided sneer. lis Monsieur Shoones pol
troon?"
"No, sir: am not poltroon." And Mr. Jones
banged his fist upon the table. But l do say
this, that man who would fight a duel, and
such one as this would be, must be nothing
else than born idiot"
"Does Monsieur call me an IDIOT"
"NO, don't sir observed the indignant Jones;
"but I'll take uncommonly good care that give
no one chance to cali me One!"
The thin vein of passion which ran through
Monsieur de Slecals rejoinder made every word
go home like poisoned dart. 1t was as though
he was speaking TO an inferior creature
Then / say that Monsieur ShOones is caaaiILe
and an English dog-he is poltroon; to such
the de Slecals always use canes"
why, you impudent old -" Mr.. Jones
was aghast, but he drew up there. If you
weren't an old gentleman, I'd show you how an
Englishman receives such language"
"a Frenchman never receives he always gives
And, TO show exactly what he meant, he moved
round the table and struck Mr. Jones several
times smartly on the back and shoulders. Mad
ame stood up her head bent forward. her hands
thrown back, prepared to rush in and form
third in the exciting tableau. But, for the pres
ent, she refrained.
This was more than Mr.. Jones could stand
Seizing the cane, he snatched it from his assail-
ants hand and, fairly losing his temper, struck
him with considerably more violence than Mon
sieur had used to him, ending by swapping the
cane across his knee finging the fragments into
his antagonists face, and seizing him 10y the
shoulders, hurled him to the floor, with sufficient
force TO shake the room.
You impudent old scOundreli" raved Mr..
Jones, if you were half your age I'd throw you
through the window, neck and crop"
But Madame now saw proper TO become an ac-
tor in the drama She sprang forward. and bend
ing over her PROSTATE husband raised her hands
either TO Jones or the ceiling.
oh, mercy! mercy! Henri! Henri! are you
slain? Oh, sceIerGt, you destroy not only my
reputation, but my husbands also!"