The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-08-19
A MAN OF HONOR.

A MAN OF HONOR.
Colonel Skcrrclt, Major Marsh anc
Captain Pickering were sitting in thcil
:oom at the Hotel Anylais, Paris. They
we're Americans on their travels, al
.hree rough looking down casters, who
mad come through the worst fire of the
civil war. DR.. Nica;rc, surgeon in tho
French army. was standing in front OF
them, regarding them with severe air.
II come to dcnouncc TO YOU rs YOU
nave insult my friend. NJ lc Lieutenant
Foulon. lie demand &c satisfaction, y
said Dr.. Ticaire, particularly addressing
Colonel Skerrc;t. ''Iou have kick his
dog. You write apology, vcr goot.
You no write apology, you choose &c
.e-ah. vat you call 'armec-ze-'
"Wecpons," said Major Marsh, com.
ing to his assistance.
DR.. Nicaire bowed.
"Apologize for kicking his cur."'
shouted the colonel. What did it
come swapping and la,king at my heels
for2 1 would kick Mr.. Foo!ong himself
if he did that"
"Ah," replied the doctor, "vcr goot.
Insult additional2" and he blew mis- nose
like flourish Of trumpcts.
Colonel Skcrrctt was as brave man
IS ever stood in boots, but beside his
conscientious objections to duel, the
cause of quarrel was so ludicrous that
be only answered with burst of laugh
ter.
"Ah," said the doctor, calmly, but rcd
dening, Insult trce." and he took q pro
aigious pinch OF snuff.
The three friends looked at each other.
Major Marsh took the word.
'AIy friend will allow me to act for
him. We haze the choice of wcaponsi"
eyes"
"Then I choose them that nature pro.
gided-fists."
"Feest3" said the doctor, pondering.
'You mean Zc-zc-"
Major Marsh explained in pantomine.
"Sir," cried the fiery doctor, "you
make &c game of inc. see you after my
friend have re satisfaction"
"Don't get so hot, now. What do you
say to stuffed clubs in darkened roJmi'
1t took long time to make the doctor
understand this proposition, but when
he did he rejected it with constantly in
:reasing wrath. Captain Pickering sug-
pested q rough and.tumblc in the pit
kick, scratch, bite, claw and gougc.
Major Marsh thought an excellent way
Of settling the difficulty would be for the
two advcrsarics to 60 into shallow water
and see which could drown the other.
Finally, Colonel Sherrctt suggested that
they should bring keg of powder on the
field, cast lots, and whichever lost should
sit upon the kcg and apply the cigar he
had just been smoking TO hole in the
keg. DR.. Eicairc tore his hair and re-
jected one and all.
"Why," said the major, 'it pears to
one that VIC haven't got the choice of the
weapons at all"
"Of re weapons, yes: But zis is no
weapon. Swords, dagger, rces!ol, gun
-zey all weapon. But re gougc. &c
feest, re club rempli, or vat you call 70
stuff clups-ch, Monsieur ~ and the
worthy doctor stamped with rage.
doctor" said the ma jor quietly, "thc
last suggc ,tion OF Colonel Skcrret is one
that has been acted on, in at least one
case in one Of the southern States of
America. If your friend wants an ont
and out duel, he will accept the offer OF
barrel of powder under them condi-
tions. If he don't he is only fooin' with
the matter. People blaze away at each
other here for half an hour and shoot
nothing but the pigs. When we do a
thing in the States We do it,"
Sir" shri, kcG Nicairc, with corccn-
tratcd rage. You coward, You POI
troon! l post sou in re cafe, &c hotel.
ard my friend whip you with zc-ch
ze whip of &c horsc!' and he rushed
from the room, swinging his hat !ranti-
cally in one hand and plucking at HI;
hair with the other.
Left to themselves, the three friends
laughed heartily. AS for the doctors
threat of personal chastiscmcnt, Major
Marsh alone looked strong enough tc
horscwhip the national guard if it wc:e
called ont. For the posting in the cafes
they cared exactly nothing. They chat
ted and smoked and were beginning tc
forget the whole affair.
But an hour later the waiter announced
IN. lie Lieutenant Foulon!'
NJ. Foulon advanced into the room,
bowed courteously to the two, and, ad'
dressing Colonel Skcrrctt said, in perfect
English.
II have Just seen my friend Eicalre.
Possibly he misunderstood. From what
be told me, | understand that you made
propositions which no gentlemen would
make. Therefore you are no gentleman.
1t remainsto he seen if YOU are coward
as welIan aware that your last propo
Sition is mode Of the ducllo prac'iccd
= in some parts Of your country. or tha,
nv friend Nicairc was ignorant. Al
though the practice is irregular, wave
that Consideration, and personally nc
cept your proposal of q keg Of powder
under the specified conditions. You will
obligc nc by naming the time and
place"
"Say to morrow at > o'clock in the
afternoon. reckon the little wood O
Plessis, on the road to Versailles, is ;
quiet enough place. l will supply TIT
keg of powder for your use and you vii
supply the one for mine
"Ncry we'll" said Foulon, bowing
81 shall be there. The terms to be rig
idly adhered to- To apply the ciga
which enc has Just been smoking to th'
open hole in the kcy1"
"Preciscly," answered the colonel.
II prcsumr, "said the lieutenant, will
a sinister smile. that in any event TIN
services 0! doctor or surgeon will b
upncccss"ry.'
81 am sure of it, said the colonel
with grin.
Foulon left the room, and when h
had gone Colonel Skcrrctt said: "Il
6gh. this chap. but I'm not going to b
blown to atoms, nor to let that iool b!ov
himself TO atoms.' The three friend
took measures accordingly.
The next day, at the appointed time
the five men, all smoking vigorously
were on the ground. Zach party ha'
brought its nowd"r-keg along. Tn
major and DR.. Niciarc tossed up. Th
major won.
Foulon turned ghastly pale, but walke'
firmly to the kcg which the American
had brought and sat down on it. 1twa
an ordinary cider kcg. and Major Mars
knocked ont the bnng. All then retire.
to q safe distance except the colonel
who remained standing by Foulon's side
The latter, down whose livid face tn
sweat was rolling, took his c:gar from hi
mouth and advanced it, still glowing
toward tue open hung hole.
"Hold on there" said the colonc
''that cigar is lit" :.
"Ccrtainly it is" gaspcd Foulon, Ii
lips quivcriug in spite OF himself.
.sWell," said the colonel, with grin
'svou are not sch fool as to put
lighted cigar into a kcg of powder, ar
you2 When were you born?"
''Sir," rep:icd the lieutenant. vainl
endcavoring 10 hold the cigar motionles
in bis shaking hand. Il have given M
.s a. Ios sf Loot fbo {oeonp oh ~, l.