Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-26
A STRANGE DUEL.
A Kentucky Colonel Who Didn't Believe
In An Apology.

A Kentucky Colonel Who Didn't Believe
In An Apology.
From the New York Journal.
A bold Kentucky colonel was the father of a
lovely daughter, who loved q nice young man
in all respects unobjectionable. All the girls
and matrons in the country sympathized with
the lovers and the gossips pronounced it the
happiest affair in the line of marrying that had
been heard Of for long time.
But the colonel was an obstinate man with q
very red countenance, fierce gray eyes and
q nose somewhat notified in blue and purple
from the long habit Of generous potations OF
Bourbon.
The more he heard Of the courtship the more
he swore that he would have no such puppy
for son-in-law, and the young man got into
such a state that he was afraid to see his be-
trothed except surreptitiously and both were
afraid to open the subject to the colonel
Happily, when the path of true lovers does
not run smooth, owing to the opposition of a
cruel parent, the misery of the situation
heightens the delight and SO the wretched,
happy couple went on day by day, as tens Of
thousands have done before.
The stolen interview and the surreptitious
note, the agony and fear and the constant
suspense made the hours glow with romance.
But, anon, the colonel learned through one
OF tue gOsslps tnat ne Was likely 10 Dc a
father-in-law without his consent. He stalked
up and down the hall muttering and growl-
ing something to the effect that this was the
first time in his life that he had ever been
opposed, and, by Jupiter and all the other
gods, il would be the last Then he sent for his
friend the major. and the two worthless dis
cussed whether the presumptuous rascal should
be horsewhipped, shot on sight or politely
slaughtered according TO the code.
The last method was determined on and a
challenge delived to the enemy, with an ex-
PLANTATION Of the condescension that accorded
the chivalrous terms, ''as q lady's honor was
concerned, sir"
But o woman's quick wit, always sharper
under the inspiration of love and romance,
suggested q rising act o. the tragedy. 'Twixt
smiles and tears the maiden implored her lover
to obey her wishes, saying: You know, dear,
how obstinate papa is; the only way can get
anything is to pretend not to want it, and it
was Just so with mamma when she lived. Now,
do you understand?
In the meantime the colonel and the major
prepared to make worms meat Of the poor
lover.
The proposed fatal morning dawned; the
gentlemen were promptly on the ground and
the ceremonies were about to proceed as usual
when the lovers friend approached the blood
thirsty colonel with great formality and said:
Colonel my friend has done you a wrong
which he proposes to repair without the loss Of
his life, which would only make the matter
worse for the young lady. 1t 10 true that he
has declined TO marry her and"
'sHas declined to- But the monstrosity Of
the thing choked the colonel out of utterance.
Eyes. and he desires to offer An apology
and"
.ApologyT shouted the colonel Hang his
apology Refuse to marry q Kentucky gentle
mans daughter! By all the internal gods, ven
see about that! Major, get me preacher, sir,
and church, and al that sort OF thing. mighty
quick. Therel be q wedding, sir, or . funeral,
In less than half hour. Not . word, gentle
men, don't like apuppy for . son-in-lav, but
my honor shall DO vipdicsted."
or course the colonel had his way, but II he
ever finds out the hoax he win burst blood
vessel OF fan dead Of apoplsxy.