Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-08

threat OF perSonai chastisemont. Majo
MARSH alouc iaDkcd strong enough {,
horsewhip tho National Guard il /
were called out For the posting in tn,
cafes tety cared exactly nothing The,
chatted and smoked and were begin
ning to forget the whole affair.
But an hour later the writer an.
\ nouncod I'M. Lieutenant Foulon"
Nj. Foulan ad vanccd into the room,
bowed courtcou sly to the two, and ad.
| dressing Colona Skerrctt, said in per-
feet English:
81 have just seen my friend Vicairc.
' Possibly he misunderstood. From
shat he tal. me. understand that
YOU made propositions which no gentle
man would make. Therefore You are
no gentleman. 1t remains to be seen
If you arc coward as we'll am
aware that your last proposition is u
mode Of the duclln practiccd in some
parts OF your couoiry. Of that my
friend Vicaire was ignorant Although
the practice is irregular, | waive that
consideration. and personally accept
your proposal Of a kcg ofpowder under
the specified conditions. You will
obligc me by naming the time and
place.
Say tomorrow at 8 O'Clock in the
afternoon. reckon the little wood of
Plesss, on the road to Versailles, is a
quiet enough place. l will supply the
keg of powder for your use and you
win supply the one for nine."
Very well, SIR" said Foulon. bow
ing. al shall be there. The terms to
be rigidly adhered toP To apply the
cigar which one had Just been smoking
to the open hole in the kegp'
Precisely" answered the Colonel.
IL presume" said the Lieutenant,
with a sinister smile, .rhat in any
event the service of a doctor or sur
geon will be unnecessary"
al am sure of that" said the Colonel,
with a grin.
Foulon left the room, and when he
had gone Colonel Skerrctt said: "rll
fight this here devil, but amt gwine
to be blowed to atoms, nor l amt
gwine to let that there fool blow HIM
self to atoms" The three friends took
measures accordingly.
The next day, at the appointed time.
| the five men, all smoking vigorously
were on the ground. Each party had
brought Its powderkeg along. The
| Major and Dr. Nicaire tossed up. The
| Major won.
Foulon turned ghastly pale. but
walked firmly to the keg which the
| Americans had brought and sat down
on it. 1t was an ordinary cider keg,
and MAJOR Marsh Knocked out tho
bung. All then retired to safe dis
lance except the Colonel, VINO remained
standing 10y toulon's side. The latter.
down whose iivid face the sweat was
rolling took ms cigar from ms mouth
and advanced 1t, still glowing, to the
open bung-holc,
| Hold on there, said the Colonel.
that ere cigar Is ilt.
certainly II Is, gasped Fouion, MS
| lips Guivering in spite OF himself.
Well, SAID the Colonel with grin,
"yon be mt sueh a darned 1901 as to put
a lighted cigar into Keg OF powder,
DC your "heh was you porh'
,olr' .replieu the lieutenant 'aihiy
ehoca'orlhg 10 holu the cigar mo'ioh-
less IN MS shakiny mana. - nave gwen
my WORD that II ! lost the toss-up
should put this III clgar-
"Hoid on; you didn say nt. ,
"Wcii, tae cigar was smoking
PUT it out then
Sir, you have run the risk that
ran. have lost, and ! but do as ,yon
would have done. lwill put this lighted
cigar into this bunS-holc--
Put in the chawed,up end, them"
You insult me again, sir!
"Blcss your heart! You fire up a
darned sight easier than this ere pow.
der ever will. DO you think that
would put the burning end OF cigar
into the bung.hole of keg full of pow
der? Great Jerusa!cm''
81 have told you again, and | repeat
it. that you are no gentleman: But l.
am q man OF honor. Bah! You shall
see me die as one. | keep my prom
isc.
Foulon slowly advanced the Mrning
cigar toward the opening in the keg
beneath.
go away here, you shall be kill''
shouted Nicairo to the Colonel; but the
latter remained quietly beside the vic
tim. Vicairc covered his face with his
hands, and waited for the awful mo.
ment which was to blow his friend to
atoms. There was dead silence, and
then slight hiss was heard. Vicaire
looked up. Foulon. his face purple
with rage, was holding his cigar, after
repeatedly poking it into the bung-holo.
The Colonel was one broad grin.
''ls this powderp' asked Foulon.
~ Tooth POWDER" answered the Co
lionel; "cost almighty"
"hut," said Foulon. shaking with
rage instead OF fear. "if you had lost
the toss-up our keg was full OF gun