Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-08-31
A MAN OF HONOR.

Colonel Skerrett, Major Marsh and
Captain Pickering were sitting in theil
room at the Hotel Anglais, Paris They
were Americans on their travels, ali
three rough looking down casters, who
had come through the worst fire of the
civil war. DR.. Nicaire, surgeon in the
French army, was standing in front OF
them, regarding them with severe air.
II come to denounce to you as you
have insult my friend, NJ lie Lieutenant
FouIon. He demand re satisfaction, "
said DR.. Vicaire, particularly addressing
Colonel Skerrett. "You have kick his
dog. You write apology, yer goot.
You no write apology, you choose ze-
ze-ah vat you call l'armee-ze-"
"Wcepons," said Major Marsh, com.
ing to his assistance.
DR.. Vicaire bowed.
"Apologize for kicking his curn'
shouted the colonel. "What did it
come swapping and baiking at my heels
for2 | would kick Mr.. Fooong himself
if he did that"
"Ah," replied the doctor, ever goot.
Insult additonal" and he blew mis- nose
like flourish of trumpets.
Colonel Skerrett was as brave a man
as ever stood in boots, but beside his
conscientious objections to a duel, the
cause of quarrel was so ludicrous that
he only answered with burst of laugh
ter.
"Ah, " said the doctor, calmly, but red =
dening, ''insult tree! !" and he took a pro.
digious pinch of snuff.
The three friends looked at each other.
Major Marsh took the word.
'MY friend will allow me to act for
him. We have the choice of weapons. !"
eyes"
Then choose them that nature pro-
vided-fsts."
"Feest5" said the doctor, pondering
"You mean Ze-Ze-"
Major Marsh explained in pantomine.
Sir" cried the fiery doctor, "you
make re game of me. | see you after nv
friend have re satisfaction. y
Don't get so hot, now. What do you
say to stuffed clubs in darkened roJml'
1t took long time 10 make the doctor
understand this proposition, but when
he did he rejected it with constantly in
creasing wrath. Captain Pickering sug-
gested rough and-tumble in the pit
kick, scratch, bite, claw and gouge.
Major Marsh thought an excellent way
of settling the diaiculty would be for the
two adversaries to go into shallow water
and see which could drown the other.
Finally, Colonel Sherrett suggested that
they should bring keg of powder on the
field, cast lots, and whichever lost should
sit upon the keg and apply the cigar he
had just been smoking to hole in the
keg. DIR. Vicaire tore his hair and re-
jected one and all.
"Why," said the major, "it pears to
me that we haven't got the choice of the
weapons at all"
"Of re weapons, yes2 But zis is no
weapon. Swords, dagger, 'peestol gun
-zey all weapon. But re gouge, &c
feest, &c club rempli, OR vat you call 70
stuff clups-ch, Monsieur !" and the
worthy doctor stamped with rage.
Doctor" said the major quietly, "the
last suggestion of Colonel Skerret 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 out
and out duel, he will accept the offer of
barrel of powder under them condi-
tions. If he don't he is only foolin' with
the matter People blaze away at each
other here for half an hour and shoot
nothing but the pigs. When we do q
thing in the States we do it"
"SirF' shrie ked Vicaire, with concen-
trated rage. "You coward, you pol
troon! l post you in re cafe, ze hotel.
| and my friend whip you with ze-eh
re whip of re horsew and he rushed
from the room, swinging his hat franti-
cally in one hand and plucking at his
hair with the other.
Left to themselves, the three friends
laughed heartily. AS for the doctors
threat of personal ohastisement, Major
Marsh alone looked strong enough to
horsowhip the national guard if it were
called out. For the posting in the cafes
they cared exactly nothing. They chat
ted and smoked and were beginning to
forget the whole affair.
But an hour later the waiter announced
IN. lie Lieutenant Foulonl"
M. Foulon advanced into the room,
bowed courteously to the two, and, ad-
dressing Colonel Skerrett said, in perfect
English.
"I have just seen my friend Vicaire.
Possibly he misunderstood. From what
he told me, | understand that you made
propositions which no gentlemen would
make. Therefore you are no gentleman.
1t remains to be seen if you are coward
as well. am aware that your last propo-
sition is mode of the duello practiced
in some parts of your country. or that
my friend Vicaire was ignorant. Al
though the practice is irregular, wave
that consideration, and personally ac-
cept your proposal of keg of powder
under the specified conditions. You will
oblige me by naming the time and
place"
essay tomorrow at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon. / reckon the little wood of
Plessis, on the road to Versailles, is a