The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-07
A VERY QuaER DUEL.
Brought on by a Remarkable = ct 1t
Ended Very Remarkably,
From the Louisuille Com nercial.

From the Louisville Com mercidl.
was talking with an old West Indian ex-
planter. man not long past his three score
years and ten, who left ia nalca somewhere
IN the ffties, says writer:
II see,n said he, that there is some talk
of raising Sir John Macdonalds widow to
the pcerage If it should prove true, she
will be this first native West Indian to come
in for such an honor, at least in a great
many years. Indeed, | do not remember
that the thing has ever happened before,
although Cowan, the composer, who re-
ceived a paroaetcy some time since, was,
ike Lady Macdonald, a native of Jamaica.
Yes, J" he continued, Il remember her
father well. Monkey Bernard they used to
call him. and probably no white maa except
Charles Darwin himself, the apostle of the
monkey ancestral gospel, ever more closely
reselnbled an ape 10 the face.
There was young buck, however, who
had g narrow escape of paving dearly for
hls laugh at Bernard, s unfortunate physiog-
nomy.
John X.-that was not his name, but it
Will do as we'll as any otherAwas walking
along Port Ryan street. Kingston, one fine
morning whoa a crowd CT idle neg roes at
tracted his attention. The center of amuse-
nient proved to be a good-sized ape, which
aSpauish sailor held by rope fastened
round its body.
TX. was at once struck by the likeness
SO he told me afterward-to Bernard, and
the result was that he then and there handed
over two gold doubloons TO the sailor and
became the proprietor of this living cars
cature.
Bernard was large planter and man
Of some wealth, and held a majors commits
sion in the Jamaica militia. The fates 80
wliled it that there was grand inspection
OF the militia appointed TO be held within a
lew weeks after this geological investment
OF a. s, and the father Of mischief prompted
MN TO avail himself of the occasion for an
act OF the most outrageous devilment.
he had the ape fitted with a complete
SUIT OF regimentals, as worn by a major in
the Jamaica militia, bought little tin
sword, and spent hours IN training this
brute to walk upright, with the drawn
sword held in its right hand.
Inc secret was veil kept until the day
OF the review. Crowds of negroes sur
rounded the race course just outside OF
kingston, where the troops were to march
past Presently Bernard's regiment
marched on TO the ground and wheeled into
nne. AT the same moment there was a
shout from some hundreds of lusty negro
t1roats, 'Lookoo Monkey Bernardo and
as ape, brilliant in scarlet and white,
With q tin sword well shouldered, strutteO
out toward the ranks.
" suppose that, with the exception OF
bernard himself, there was not a man on
mat ground who was not convulsed with
laughter. The military evolutious had tc
wait until the ape had been recaptured by
KS groom.
The duel had not quite gone out of fash
Ion in those days, or at any rate not in ia
naica. OF course, apology would have
oeen ridiculous, SO X. had to accept Ber-
hard's challenge. The weapon, as was usua
With us, was the old-fashioned single-bar
reed oueling pistol. The principals had the
right Of 'reservlng their fire. that is
though they might not fire until the wore
was given, either of them might take time
after the word was given, to aim more de-
hberately.
X. was an accomplished duelist, but
suppose he saw the enormity of first Ia
noriously insulting an unoffending man anC
then shooting him. Otherwise l can't &C
count for his missing Bernard, as he did, fol
af remember right the distance was onl1
twenty PAGES.
Bernard reserved his fire. Then, witt
us pistol still pointing TO the ground, h
sad TO X, who was quietly awaiting
the event: Young man, am not going t,
take your life this time. but this will teacl
You what could do if felt inclined
y. was standing close to tree, OF
which ripe limefruit hung within yarC