Omaha daily bee., 1888-02-27

y
other across the table in the steamships
dining room and Fastening through the
formality OF breakfast in their impetu-
Gus desire to shed each others blood.
The cause of all the difficulty--a dark,
dimpled little beauty Of eighteen--sat
away down at the end of the table be-
tween her parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Morris
Of Manchester, England, and she her.
vously watched her two adorers. She
knew OF the trouble between them, and
was so apprehensive of the consequences
that she left her meal almost untastcd.
The story, with all its tragic lights.
is omitted entirely from that prosy fic-
tion known rs the Captian's log. In the
memory of the passengers it was writ
ten in red ink. The first day out from
Antwerp pretty Miss Moaris walked on
deck, and the wind made her red
cheeks roster. Before eight bells struck
poor Fribourg was smitten. That night,
too, jolity Stein went sorrowing to his
bunk with black eyes looking at him
from all quarters.
Next day both youths made eyes at
the fair passenger, and she looked from
one to the other and then went to her
mother. An acquaintance was soon
formed and she walked up and down
the deck with each in turn. A day
later she walked with both at once, one
fair hand on each arm. Neither could
utter his admiration in any tongue she
knew. All that either could do was to
walk up and down and worship. They
berated each other. but she didn't un-
derstand and just smiled their efforts to
entertain her. The passengers saw a
storm was brewing.
There was u German band on board
coming to America. On deck, last Mon
day night, Mr.. Stein gave the chief
musician a mark and bade HIM go and
execute die Wacht am Rhein' for the
lady's delectation.
"Stay," cried Fribeurg, who had
French blood In his veins and French
coin in his pocket. "Here are francs;
play the, 'Marseillaise' for the lady"
The musician pocketed both retainers,
and remained neutral. The lady heard
both tunes, and that complication made
it ever so much harder to tell which she
liked most. Meanwhile, Stein and Fri
bourg were having war of words, and
the passengers who overheard them an
ticipated trouble.
AT IL o'clock that night the passen-
gers said Miss Emma Morris was to be
the heroine of mortal combat on the
following morning. When Stein handed
Fribourg his card Friborurg was pleased.
The seconds were selected. Fribourg
chose M. Sacques Grob, a handsome
Swiss from Zurich. and Mr.. George
burst of Redwood Park. Stein solicited
and obtained the aid of Mr.. John Tan
ner of London and Sig.Louis Castot of
Milan, Italy. There was council of
war in the cabin. The seconds held
whispered consultations. The princi-
| pals smoked cigarets and signed these
| articles, which were properly witnessed:
Cr,.. Itah tl,@
undersigned, acknowledge hereby that /
have challenged my fellow traveller, Jacob
| Fribourg, Of Metz, to duel with pistols in
consequence of his repeated insults which
eliminated to-day SIMON STEIN,
of Regensburg Bavaria.
Here was Fribourg's agreement:
AT SEA, Feb. 13-Herewith 1 acknowledge
myself prepared to fight "a duel tomorrow
morning at 9 o'clock on board the steamship
NOordland with Mr. Simon Stein, who has
| challenged me. likewise declare herewith
| that l have given my two seconds, Mr..
| George burst and M. Jacques Grob, full
| authority and power to arrange for the choice
| of weapons, etc. 1t has been agreed and ar
ranged by them'that pistols at fifteen PAGES
| should be used, and that one bullet should be
exchanged, and that in case it misses fire
will Immediately resume the old friendship
| which has hereto existed.
| JULES FRIBouRG.
| The chief officer offered the signal
| gun for weapon. Fribourg gravely
said there was but one. 1t would be
unequal.
He would choose pistols. Each prin-
cipal then went to his state-room and
indited cOnsolatory epistles to parents
and friends. In stole fortitude both
| forbore to leave a single message for
her for whose sake they were to peril
their lives.
| Meantime the seconds fraternized in
the saloon. Sig. CastOt told World
reporter that before retiring he sought
out his principal and tried to dissuade
him from fighting.
"You think" said the latter broken
ly, that am going to die of German
band. Not so. 1t is for her-for her.
Write of me, pray, the English letter
that l love her better than the band"
| Signor Castot then betook himself to
rest. Stein, too, slept, and FribOurg
| struggled with farewell letter. The
passengers were waiting when, at 8
o'clock next morning, the two rivals
were conducted blindfolded to the poop.
There were two camp stools, with some
thing lying on them, overspread by nap
| kins. 1t was the weapons. Only the
throbbing of the great engines could be
heard. At the words ''One, two, three
they were to tear the bandages from
| their eyes, seize the pistols ana nre.
The seconds were in their places. Cap
tain Harlicll Nichels and Chief Officer
Arthur Mills stood on the bridge.
Jacques Grobe's voice as he counted
"three" fell like dropping pebbles into
| lake of silence. With a frenzied mo-
tion the duellists tore the napkins away
and reached for the Instruments OF
death. Their hands fell, not on pistols,
but on sausages
Stein fell on the deck, tears stream
ing from his eyes, convulsed with
laughter. Frlbourg was wild with rage.
The Captain on the bridge was in
momentary danger of commissions. The
chief officer came near falling into the
| sea.
There was treaty of peace made on
the spot, and the good ship plunged
merrily on her way. Miss Morris told
Sig. Castot that she would have felt ter
.ribly if Mr.. Fribourg had been killed
Phyllis Broughton, London actress OF
| burlesque and operetta, is said to be engaged
| to Lord Dagan, the son and heir of Earl Cow
ley, young man Of twenty-five, and great
matrimonial catch.