The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-05-07

aged gentleman Of conservative tenden-
cies
Have you read the evening papers?"
asked the elderly gentleman.
20, yes, read them" replied Fritz.
"Did you read about that duel on the
frontier between two officers?"
Certainly / read about it. One of
them Is not expected to recover from
his wounds, remarked Fritz, with as
sumed indifference.
THE duel is relic of barbarism, -
said the other par Y: lit should be abol-
ished as a blot on {, civilization"
THAT may be so, retorted Fritz, with
a knowing smile; but there are certain
cases when gentleman is obliged to
assert his manhood"
What Is it possible that you have
fought duel?''
There was no other course left open
to me- -
! And what was the result?'
MY opponent. was thoroughly in
earnest. parried two desperate lnnges.
and sent his sword flying through the
air. He was entirely at my mercy, and
/ was SO exasperated that had it not
been for my second ! would have
plunged my sword into his heart
was angry at the time for being
thwarted but, after all, it was proba-
bly, for the best / am glad now that
his blood is not on my hands"
You did well to spare his life. How
reckless young men Ore nowadays"
said the elderly gentleman.
THREE YEARS LATER.
Fritz was spending. few days in the
country at the residence of his pros
pcctive father-in-law.= After dinner,
while the wine and nuts were being dis
cussed, the old gentleman said, in a
bantcring mood:
my dear son-in-law that is to be,
these are nice stories hear about your
ITO what stories do you refer?"
asked Fritz, as innocent as spring
lamb.
- IT is rumored that you are a regular
fire-brand; that you always go around
with chip on your shoulder looking
for fight. heard all about it."
About what. my dear sir?"
THAT you had duel"
'Since you know all about it, sup
pose must own up said Fritz.
Great Heavens! then it is true?" ex-
claimed Miss Fanny, the young lady to
whom Fritz was engaged, turning
away from him with counterfeited in
dignation.
II knew was right" said the father,
triumphantly. And you were wounded
in the encounter, were you not?"
ION the contrary,p replied Fritz,
proudly "my opponent was wounded,
but it was only 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 ruffian. as he
called him, to AGATE his warlikc 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 displeased.
DURING THE 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.
Z How can a man have murder in his
heart on such a beautiful morning as
this?" said Fanny, shaking her pretty
head
at 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.
1--WE took our positions He made q
desperate thrust, but parted, and be-
fore he could get back into his position
buried my sword to the hilt in his
heart"
Horrors You said he only received
slight scratch.
II said that to quiet your fathers ap-
prehension, and on your account"
20, you naughty man.
''You darling little angel"
FORTY YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Fritz having heard that his nephew
was about to fight duel, wrote: MY
dear nephew, if you knew as much
duout uuCiihSs anu biiS AioChy ~ 1thuSSS,
rs do, you would hesitate in attempt
ing to take the life of a human being.
/, too, was reckless and hot-headed in
my youth, and although i was fully
justified in pursuing the course | did,
still, the fact that my hands were
stained with the life, blood of u fellow
creature has throw "a dark shadow
over roy whole career. have always
felt the brand of Cain on my brow.
Yon can 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
have suffered, and curb your natural
impetuosity," etc, etc.
AT HIS GRAVE.
At the grave friend made the follow
ing remarks:
1--WE have gathered here to-day to pay
the last sad tribute to man who IVES
kind father, an indulgent parent and
a good citizen. He was q friend of law
and order, but once when his honor was
touched, he resented the. insult, and
killed the insulter. But let us pass over
this episode, although there was moth
ing in it of which the deceased had rea-
son to be ashamed. May the cnrth rest
lightly upon him, heroic soul that he
was," etc, etc.
MITE l.u the author. And noxs5 dna,.