The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-27
BLIssERT IS FOR BLOOD.
He Challenged His Landlord and
Won't Make His Clothes.
From the Netg York sun.

1Ao NuaIlengeQ his Landlord ana
Won't Make His Clothes.
From the Netc York sun
Robert BlisSert, the eloquent tailor, wants
blood, and, what is worse, he means to get
1t. Not as tonic to his vigorous frame,
but as a balm to his wounded honor, aud
no ordinary blood will serve the purpose;
1t must be the rich, crimson blood of Mr..
Charles Palmer, brother of Mr.. Court
iandt Palmer To assure himself of an
honorable and courteous splitting of Mr.
Palmer's blood, Me. Blssert has challenged
AIR. Palmer to an apology or duel, with
preference decidedly in favor of the duel
IL IS all as serious as death itself to Mr..
Bhssert, and it came about in this way:
For several years Mr.. Blissert has been a
tenant of the Palmer estate, of which the
brothers Courtiandt and Charles are
managers at 652 Broadway. He has his
tailor shop on the second floor of the build
ing, aud the lease for his quarters
expired on May l. Mr.. Blissert did not
feel that the condition of business warranted
him in renewing the lease on the old terms,
and suggested that he would pay the
same rent month by month, agreeing to
give or take a months notice to quit.
This proposition was not agreeable to Mr.
Charles Palmer, who made counter offer
in the form Of a new lease This document
49, cN-N
tory; he had always found Mr.. Palmer to be
a severe landlord, and the proposed lease,
he thought, was stringent and exasperat ting
in its details beyond all reason or fairness
The tenant told the landlord so, and there
they stuck. Mr.. Courtlandt Palmer was
quite willing to accept Mr.. Blisserts terms,
but his brother was obdurete. The matter
hung on until Tuesday, when Messrs. Bis
sert and Palmer met, to effect an agree
ment, if possible. The landlord was firm
in his attitude, and the tenant was i'm
movable i'll his own. They argued to-
gether.
"You make more trouble than all the
other tenants put together" urged Mr..
Palmer, with marked earnestness; land if
had my way I'd fire you out of the build
ing altogether"
''You never had to call or send for the
rent twice." returned Mr.. Blssert in high
key.
The gentlemen did not come to an agree
ment Yesterday morning they met again.
They had hardly begun to talk when Mr.
Palmer said:
"Blissert, suppose you make me suit of
clotbes?n
The man of needles and thread thought
be saw a sheer rolled up and tucked away
III this remark, and he responded sharply:
mo, sir! You get your clothes made in
England, where they make slop work. You
do not patronize the people you get your
money from, and are content to wear the
i'll fitting, ugly-looking clothes of London
tailors. | could not make a suit for you of
that kind. Furthermore, 1 make clothes
for gentlemen exclusively"
This made Mr. Palmer angry, and he re-
torted. 1t is said that Mr.. Blissert's widely
known and admired oratorical ability was
never exercised more forcibly, and that Mr..
Palmer, Inns If of an oratorical family,
responded in kind. AT all events, he called
Mr.. Blissert names, and at the end of the
conversation the tailor went directly to his
desk, and ignoring his keen-edged shears
and pointed needles, wrote this note:
To Mr.. Charles Palmer, 1852 BrOadtCay:
SIR-On May p called at the office of the
Courtlandt Palmer estate and while there you
used language toward me unbecoming gentle
man. On May % you added insult to injury by
reiterating the same words, which no man of
honor could bear. | now give you until IL
o'clock to morrow to appoint gentleman, who
in turn can meet one appointed by me, who is
duly authorized by me to act in my behalf.
ROBERT BLIssERT.
When this formidable message had been
written, Mr. Blissert looked at the clock.
1t was nearly noon, and at that hour he
had an appointment with Capt. Augustine
Z. Costello. The appointment was for no
more thrilling purpose than to try on new
coat, but Mr.. Blissert boiled with rage, and
held the note pending the Captains arrival.
He boiled until l o'clock, for the Captain
took luncheon with friend before going to
see his tailor When he finally entered the
shop Mr. Blissert exclaimed:
"Will you act as my second in duel?
You are Just the man | want to see, for l
know that you are familiar with the code"
Capt. Costello is one of the most good
natured men in town, though they do say
that twenty years ago or so he figured in an
affair of honor, and that he has been a
thorough student of the code and the his
tory of famous Irish duels. He saw that
he was in for it, and he answered:
81 will certainly stand by you, Blissert,
if you are in trouble"
The tailor then questioned the Captain
upon his experience and knowledge of the
code, and indicated the nature of the disa-
greement with Mr.. Palmer
"Now, them" said Capt. Costello II am
perfectly impartial man in affairs of this
kind, and if / act it will make no difference
to me which ono of you is killed. Of course
| shall look out for your interests, but if
this comes to all encounter on the field
shall not be satisfied unless one of you gets
hurt"
This spirit delighted Mr.. Blissert, who
wanted anything but French duel, and it
infiamed his ardor, instead Of cooling it.
He declared that he should send the letter
at once, after incorporating in it the name
of his second.
A reporter carried the direful news to
Mr.. Palmer but he declined to say any
thing on the matter. He, too, is probably
familiar with the code, and knows that
dueling etiquette requires him to be silent
pending the reception of the challenge.
Sir" Mr.. Blissert said, 1.-THE man who
insults me must either apologize for so
doing or give me the satisfaction that be-
longs to one gentleman from another. MIR.
Palmer has iusulted me grossly, and l
demand retraction or that he meet me on
the field of homer. | have as good blood in
my veins as MIR. Palmer, and will brook no
insult from him or any other living man"
Capt. Costello smiled pleasantly when a
reporter found him at home in the evening,
and narrated the story as lie had learned it.
"You have the facts" he said; 'it is to
he regretted that this has leaked out, for
affairs of honor should always be conducted
in secrecy, am concerned in this involun-
tariIv, and am therefore all the more sorry
that it must be made public. When ] called
upon Mr.. Blissert this afternoon | saw that
he was exceedingly agitated over something,
and when he spoke saw that it would be
useless to oppose him | am convinced that
he is wholly in earnest, but | do not think
Mr.. Palmer viii fight At all events, can
do nothing according to the code unless
hear from Mr.. Palmer's second"
Robert Blissert, who has national repu-
tot;o,, no a labor orator and organizer.