Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-01-08


sort of lawyer, ehp"
Il am student of the law.
II am kind of q DOCTOR" said he.
IF you ever need my services, call on
me.
IL hope that l shall never need you. "
Probably not, but in country like
this smart chap neverknows how soon
he may need a physician.
"Sir!' said l, arising.
''Be seated. Supper is not ready. No,
he doesn't know how soon he may need
q doctor. Such peculiar atmosphere
in this country, and turning his
face full upon me he grinned like a
'possum.
"The other day." he continued, Il
had to fill n smart young man full OF
stitches. Lawyer. too, | believe. Kept
foolin' around knife. Yes, sir, they
need doctor evory now and then.
Don't forget me; sir, in case you should
get hurt.
''Sir, am not ruilian.
''Oh, no, of course not. The ruttians
don't get hurt. Only the smart young
men-lawyers, mainly. Strange, isn't
it2"
II do not care to talk 10 You sir.
''It's only through politeness that
am talking to you. The physician S bus
isess is to carve rather than to court 9
fool.
sprang to my feet in rage. just
then Jassaminc entered.
What is the matter, gentlemen! she
exclaimed.
"Oh. nothing" replied the doctor
This young Bacon wants to fight.
have not thought much OF the subject,
but l will consider it. Chancellor, y
turning to me, my friend will call or
YOU"
For what purpose?"
10 make suitable arrangements, my
dear chancellor.
ITO fight duel?'
Eyes to arrange mild encounter.
Il will not accept, ri exclaimed. 81
am no shot, while you doubtless are.
II will give you time to practice--or
perhaps you prefer the sword. The
choice of weapons, you know, my deal
chief justice, will be left entirely with
yourself.
II will not accept. | was taught to
look upon the code rs an arrangement
of murder.
"Then it will be my painful duty tc
post you as a coward"
"You are right. 1t will be pain
full duty"
What will the jurist do?"
IF you refer to me, i can tell you
He will beat you with his tist-beat YOU
within an inch of your life.
That is the way towards fight"
1T is the way towards meet with
just punishment.
Jassamine, without excitement, stood
regarding us. "You certainly do not
refuse to fight him?" she said turning
TO me.
Il will fight him in a civilized way"
l replied.
Yes" he suggested, land with the
weapons of brute"
l could no longer stand his taunts.
With a blow which he did not expect
knocked him down. Jassamins
screamed, but by the time the Judge
and his wife had run into the room,
mad given the doctor what the men in
the east would have called SOUND
threshing.
Isoon learned that the doctor Dor.
the name of a desperate character. HI
had fought several duels. / expected
that he would post me as coward
and he did so, but he kept out of my
way. The people, saw, attached
great Importance to what they termed
the defense of honor No matter how
promptly a man resented an insult anC
knocked the other down, he was not t.
be taken into the fold of brave men un
til he had shown his willingness to burn
dangerous powder. When anyone re
preached me for not fighting the doc
tor, attempted to laugh it of, but tc
my sorrow l found 1t was seriou.
matter.
ale would have killed me- l said
one day TO an acquaintance who sat il
my office.
Presumably" he replied.
"Well, then, do you suppose l want
to be killed."
"Of course not, but what is life I'M
less it is honorable?"
'Do you mean that since l have re.
fused to fight duel with that desperate
man, my life is no longer honorableP"
1.-The fact that people do think you
have acted dishonorably, you cannot
deny"
Il don't believe that Judge Blake
thinks so.
"But | warrant you that Miss Jassa.
mine does
My blood tingled; my face burned.
''Why should she pay any attention to
the unfortunate AFFAIR.""
II don't suppose she pays any more
attention 10 it than she can help. Gray
loves her, and regards you as rival. "
"But good Lord! l exclaimed, "she
cannot love him?'
Il don't know. Stranger surmises
have proved to pc true. Miss Jassamin,
is rather a peculiar girl. You canno
tell by her actions. Once, / thought
could, confound it. thought she love-
me. When / asked her, though, SIN
told me confidentially that she did not
AS l rode home, tried TO recall Jassa
mines looks and expressions since tn
doctor had challenged me. but compar
ing them with her. previous actions.
could detect no change. / could dis
guise it from myself no longer. / love-
the girl. AS neared the house, say
her walking along the path toward
large spring that flowed from the foo
of the hill. l tied my horse and joine
her. l shall never forget the goldo
light Of that evening, falling on he
hair. / made numerous experiment
in trying to work myself to q poin
where / could suddenly break off an
make declaration of my love, but m
tongue was not eloquent My min
was fire, but its flues were choket