The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1885-09-02

geOn Will be unnecessary.
al am sure of that" said the Colonel,
with grin.
Foulon left the room, and when he
had gono Colonel Skcrrctt said. "I'n
fight this hore devil, but / amt gwino
to DO blowcd to atoms, nor amt
gwino TO let that there fool blow HIM
self TO atoms" Tho thrco friends took
measures accordingly.
The next day, at tho appointed time,
the five men, all smoking vigorously
were on tho ground. Each party had
brought its powdcr.kcg along. The
Major and DIR. Vicairo tossed up. The
Major wor.
Foulon turned ghastly pale. but
walked firmly to the kcg which the
Americans had brought and sat down
on it, 1t was an ordinary cider kcg,
and Major Marsh Knocked out tho
bung. All then retired TO safe dis
tancc except the Colonel, who remained
standing by Foulon's side. Tho latter,
down whose livid face the sweat was
rolling, took his cigar from his mouth
and advanced ii, still glowing, TO tho
open bung-holc.
"liold on there" said tho Colonel
"that ere cigar is lit"
Certainly it is" gaspcd Foulon, his
lips quivering in spite of himself.
well" said tho Colonel with grin,
you be mt such y darncd fool rs to put
lighted cigar into Il kcg Of powder,
be you? When was you bornp"
"Sir, replied the lieutenant, vanly
cndcavoring to hold the cigar motion
my word that ii | lost the tosS-up [
ohn,,ll l;.
"llold on; you didn't say lit"
"Wcll, the cigar was smoking"
t"Put it out then"
"Sir, you have run the risk that
ran. | have lost, and but do as you
would have done. Twill put this lighted
cigar into this bung-holc--"
Put in the chawcd-up end, then"
You insult me again, Sir!'
"Blcss your heart! You fire up u
darncd sight easier than this ere pow
der ever will. DO you think that
would put the burning end of q cigar
into tho bung-holc OF II kcg full of pow
der? Great Jcrusalemp"
81 have told YOU again, and | repeat
II, that you arc no gentleman. But i
i am man OF honor. Bah! You shall!
see me die as one. keep my pron-
isc ~
Foulon slowly advanced tho burning
cigar toward tho opening in the keg
beneath.
"Go away here, you shall DO kill"
shouted Nicairc to the Colonel; but tho
latter remained quietly beside the VIC
tim. Yicairc covered his face with his
hands, and waited for the awful mo-
mcnt which was to blow his friend to
atoms. Ihore 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-hole.
The Colonel was ono broad grin.
as this powderp" asked Foulon.
Tooth powder" answered the CO.
lionel; 'cost almighty"
But" said Foulon, shaking with
rage instead of fear, ..f you had lost
the toss-up our kcg was full Of gum
powder. What thcn?'
I'D hayc put the cigar out before l
put it in," said the Colonel.
"Ah!' murmurcd Foulon.
cor stuck in the chcwcd-up end. Hold
on to the terms you know"
Foulon calmly walked to his carriage
lie and Vicaire hoistcd in their kcg of
gunpowdcr and followed it themselves.
"Sir!' shouted Foulon to the Colo
mel, IL said you were no gentleman. |
say now you are coward" ,...-..,.
nc Colonci smiled.
For three days the friends walked
about Paris and saw both Foulon and
Vicaire several times. They were not
posted in tho cafes, for the Frcnchmcn
feared the storm OF ridiculc which n
knowledge of the grotcsquc duel would
bring upon them. Neither wero they
horscwhippcd, for Vicairo argued that
they would probably rctaliate. and in
such a case the whipping would be on
ly modified form of the duel In clup
rcmpli.
On tho fourth day after this "d,,cl"
the three friends happened to be on one
of the large and beautiful steamboats,
carrying excursions down tho Seine
Colonel Skorrctt, like consistent Yam
kcc, was IN Tho pilot house, watching
the working OF tho wheel. He camo
down aftcrward and sauntcrcd back to
whcro his two friends were standing.
Near them were no less individuals
than Foulon and Vicairc. Neither par
ty addressed tho other. Tho boat was
in the middle of the river. For long
distance on either side the banks were
straight. and tho tide was flowing di-
rcctly down tho middle channel Sud-
denly arose n cry of iiro, a wild STAN
pede of passengers in tho bow of the
boat was made toward the stern, and
Foulon, who was standing near on
opening in the. railing was thrown from
his balance. s AS l,e was falling over
board tho Colonel stretched out his
long arm, graspcd him by tho collar
and pulled him in again. Tho French
mans hat had fallen of. Tho Colonel
picked it up. and with friendly smile
handed it to his late adversary. Fou-
Ion colored UP and said eagerly:
Colonel Skcrrott, 1 beg your pardon.
You are gentleman"
In the meantime the panic increased.
All tho bow Of the boat was in q bright
blaze, and the lire reached the pilot
house. The pilot rushed out with
singcd beard and }cy ebrows, and tho
boat slowly driftcd down the stroam
Tho colonel caught hold of tho pilot
and dragged hum to Foulon.
Sir" said he, task this here follow