Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-01-14

THE WAYS0F' THE WORLD.
by JUNIUs HENRI BROWNE.
CHAPTER XIII.
PHILIP RoYDgN's REVENGE.

bSt"Sch II anu II clOCh, tHc Jay III
lowing, Captain Barwick, of the regular
army, Temporarily stationed at Fort Colum-
bus, Governors Island, visited DR.. Arch
er's office, in Thirty fourth street, accom-
panied by Frederic Comstock, presumably
as director and assistant. They were both
visioly impressed with the momentousness
of their erraud The Captain had very
blooming complexion, heightened by prom
inent nose Of royal purple, which betokened
that its hue was attributable rather to active
campaigns in bar-rooms than on the West
ern frontier. Comstook had his grievance,
too. He had said that, had rot Philip
Royden anticipated him. he should have
called the doctor to account, for asserting
that no self-respec.ing man ought to as
sociate with Royden, whose intimate friend
he had been for years. He would have
borne the challenge himself but the council
Of snobs had decided that it would be more
regular to place it IN the hands of an army
officer who had had experience in such
affairs. He contensed himself, therefore,
in military parlanee, with acting as aid.
They found Archer in ; he received them
with exceeding politeness divining at once
the nature OF their business, and read,
in careless, Indifferent manner, the COM
1nunication which the Captain had 1.-THE
honor to deliver in behalf of his friend"
etc
Archer treated the matter jocularly, of
course, saying that he was deeply disap-
pointed TO discover that, instead of being
patients, as he had fondly expected, they
had invited him to be tie possible patient
of some other doctor. lie would, however,
lose no unnecessary time in replying to
Mr.. Royden through a friend, so soon as
he should discover if any one of the two
millions Of people in and about New York
would consent to play the character for a
single occasion.
The Captain obviously regarded the doc
tors levity as unreasonable he intimated
that the code should be treated with more
dignity, but presumed that, although the
language employed was unusual, the doc
tor accepted the cartel.
Archer assured him that his presump-
ton was correct, and the Captain went
through series of evolutions, as if on
dress parade, and bowed himself rectangu-
larly out. Comstock initiated his stiff,
inflated manner, so far as novice could,
and strutted after him, apparently under
the impression that he was likewise in the
regular service.
As soon as they had gone, Archer quilted
his Office to look for second. He had
had several of his acquaintance in mind
who, he thought, would act in that capacity;
but had deferred speaking to them on the
subject until he know it would be neces-
sary. He understood the Importance OF
secrecy, and was resolved not to intimate
the possibility of duel to any one whose
discretion and reticence could not be
counted on.
Having strolled into the Rensselaer-he
thought ne would go there to prevent
suspicion of a hostile meeting-he observed
that he was still curiously eyed by some
of the loungers, one of whom came up to
him, and, on the strength of previous in
PRODUCTION, asked if it were true that a
duel was to be fought next day.
Where did you get your information?"
the doctor inquired
That's the rumor floating about here,
was the answer.
''You might have learned in the samew way
that I have just been elected by the College
of Cardinals to the Pontifcal Chair in place
of Leo Kill, still alive. Would you be-
lieve that p
The quidmunc laughed; accepted
Archer.s remark as fiat denial, and told
everybody he could find that the doctor
had informed him, confdentially, that the
story of the duel was entirely unfounded,
and absurd on its very face.
In the reading room Archer encountered
Rivers, and to make talk, expressed the
hope that journalism was fourishipg.
81 hope it is, responded Rivers, "now
that I'm out of it. I'm very sure that L
should never have prospered in it. I've
worked ike beaver for fifteen years on
the press, and have benefited neither my
reputation nor my purse. A friend OF
mine has long been wanting me to go into
an established business with him, and I've
at last decided to do so. He believes L
could be very valuable, and he promises
me, for the first year, more than l could
make in ten by pen-driving. 1 don't care
so much for money, but hate to be under
the control of men without intellect,
breadth or sense of justice. a position on
New York newspaper is usually little
better than slavery, with CALLING sense OF
being constantly misunderstood. l intend
to celebrate my independence now by
month of acting as my own master. I'm
ready for anything but the production OF
copy"
u may want to engage you for some
special service, Rivers-the service of
friend.
Name it. doctor. I've always liked
you you've been kind to me in various
ways. and I should be glad to reciprocate. "
Archer then explained his need, and why
he would not allow Oscar Goodwin to be
his second. Rivers said he hated duels,
and that, ordinarily, he would have moth
NO to do with them but the fact that
Archer had accepted a challenge was
enough to make him believe there must be
good cause for it.
He had, as may be supposed, heard the
details of the row the previous evening"