Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1891-03-14
A YEAR LATER.

YEAR LATER.
One evening Fritz attended a social
gathering and happened to get into
conversation with his host, a middle
aged gentleman Of conservative tenden-
cics.
Have you read the evening papers?'
asked the elderly gentleman.
80, yes, l read them" replied Fritz.
Did you read about that duel on the
frontier between two ofiicers?n
Certainly | read about it. One of
them is not expected to recover from
his wounds" remarked Fritz, with as
sumcd indifference.
1.-The duel is a relic of barbarism,'
said the other party; lit should be abol-
ished as a blot on II civilization"
That may be So, rctorted Fritz, with
a knowing smile; but there are certain
cases when a gentleman is obliged to
assert his manhood
What! Is it possible hat you have
fought a ducl?'
There was no other course left open
to me-"
And what was the RESULT"
"My opponent was thoroughly in
earnest. | parriedtwo desperate lunges,
and sent his sword flying through the
air. He was entirely at my mercy, and
] was so eXasperatcd that had it not
been for my second | would have
plunged my sword into his heart. |
was angry at the time for being
thwarte6; but, after all, it was proba-
bly, for the best, l am glad now that
his blood is not on my hands"
You did well to spare his life. How
reckless young men are nowadays"
said the elderly gentleman.
THREE YEARS LATER.
Fritz was spending a few days in the
country at the residence of his pros
pective father-in-law. After dinner,
while the wine and nuts were being dis
cussed, the old gentleman said, in IA
bantering mood;
my dear son-in-law that is to be.
these are nice stories | hear about you!'
ITO what stories do you %refcr?''
asked Fritz, as innocent as a spring
lamb.
at is rumorcd that you are a regular
fire-brand; that you always go around
with a chip on your shoulder looking
for a fight. heard all about it,"
about what, my dear sir?"
THAT you had a duel"
"Since you know all about it, sup
pose must w up" said Fritz.
"Grcat Heavens. then it is truep" en-
claimed Miss Fanny, the young lady to
whom Fritz was engaged, turning
away from him with counterfeited in
~dignation.
Il knew | was right" said the father,
triumphantly. And you were wounded
in the encounter, were you not?"
"On the contrary replied Fritz,
proudly, ''my opponent was wounded,
but it was only a slight scratch. As
soon as the seconds saw that blood had
been spilled they interfered, and had
to be satisfied with an apology"
The prospective father-in-law laugh
ingly warned the young r%ufian, as he
called him, to AGATE his warlike ardor
as soon as he became a married man.
and the prospective bride felt proud
that she was about to acquire such a
courageous husband, although she
made out that she was d~ispleased.
DURING Il HONEYMOON.
Fritz and his young wife are out taxi
ing a walk.
"My dearest Fanny, it was just such
a lovely spring morning as this" said
Fritz, solemnly.
"How can a man have murder in his
heart on such a beautiful morning as
this?' said Fanny, shaking her pretty
head.
1T was in just such a beautiful little
forest as this. The flowers were BIOS
soming and the little birds were singing
in the trees"
Fanny shuddered.
"We took our positions. He made a
desperate thrust, but | parted, and be-
fore he could get back into his position
l buried my sword to the hilt in his
heart"
Horrors. You said he only received
a slight scratch"
VI said that to quiet your fathers ap-
prehension, and on your account"
80, you naughty man.
"You darling little angel!'
FORTY YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Fritz having heard that his nephew
was about to fight a duel, wrote: "My
dear nephew, II you knew as much
about dueling, and the misery it causes,
as do, you would hesitate in attempt
ing to take the life of a human being.
/, too, was reckless and h%ot-headed in
my youth, and although | was fully
justified in pursuing the course | did,
still, the fact that my hands were
stained with the life blood of a fellow
has throw a dark shadow
over my whole career. l have always
felt the brand of Cain on my brow.
You Z have no idea Of the feeling Of
remorse that haunts the man who has
hurried a fellow being into the presence
OF his Maker. Be warned by what I
have suffered, and curb your natural
impetuosity," etc., etc.
AT HIS GRAVE.
At the grave a friend made the follow
ing remarks:
I'VE have gathered here to-day to pay
The last sad tribute to n mar who WIS
a kind father, an indulgent parent and
good citizen. He was a friend of law
and order, but once when his honor was
touched, he resented the insult, and
killed the insultcr. But let us pass over
this episode, although there was moth.
ing in it of which the deceased had rca-
son to be ashamed. May the earth rest
lightly upon him, heroic soul that he
OF etc.
Nota b. the author: And now, coar
let me assure you that there orr