The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-20

VII guns. Dey's de invention of de debbil
tink."
'Have game of tennis, Jack?" said
Don, who had just come up, and upon a
reply in the affirmative the two proceeded
toward the tennis court, which was laid
out little back of the house.
Margaret came out to watch them play
and when at the end of three sets Jack
came out victor she applauded loudly and
gave him bouquet of roses, which mark
of attention quite turned his head. Don,
who was rather knowing sort of fellow,
left them together, and upon Jacks propo-
sition to walk they proceeded toward lit
tie grove of oak situated at the far end Of
the garden. How are you getting on with
the two old darkies, Mr.. Minton?" asked
Margaret. First rate" answered Jack.
give got TO pump Uncle Reuben little,
but | think l can manage it all right. |
am going to succeed, you know, because
have double purpose in view"
"a double purposes" she queried limo
Gently, and just as Jack was about to ex-
plain in the fullest possible manner how
that to please her was to be his great aim
in life-I say just as he was about to ex-
plain Margaret became wonderfully inter
ested in little redbird and made Jack tell
her all he knew land more besides) about
the habits of that species of the feathered
tribe, and didn't he think it was pretty,
and wasn't red his favorite color and so on
until poor Jack was quite upset He re-
solved, however, to hurry up and accom-
plish the reconciliation of the two old men.
And it will be lasting friendship"
thought Jack to himself.
Accordingly at the first opportunity he
accosted Uncle Reuben and said, so you
don't like Uncle Remusf"
Like dat lyin nigger" said Uncle Reu-
ben with contempt HE am wuss'n Old
Nick hisseP. Try ter make Marse Walnut
tn think done stole his chick'ns- l think
/ mos die afore | speaks TO i'm"
TOO bad, too bad" said Jack solemnly.
"Now, like Uncle Remus and l like you,
and | would rejoice to see you two trends.
Don't you think you could try and be
friends?"
ut KANT nebber be-" replied Uncle
Reuben. II KANT soshate wifi no sech
niger as him." and Jack wisely changed
the subject.
He had now decided on a plan of action,
and the evening following the above in
teIview he told Don what he had decided
to do which was about as follows: He was
to work upon the feelings of the old SER
wants to such an extent that their sense of
honor would become very strong. Then
he was TO tell them that if they wanted to
be very honorable, in fact, if they wished
to be at all so, they must fight duel. He
would impress it upon them that if they
could not become friends they would not
only be acting dishonorably, but meanly,
unless they fought. What duel was he
would explain, giving as example some
famous fight.
"And Uncle Remus," he explained 70
Don, will, if he isn't ready to come to
terms at the very mention of pistol, be so
scared when the time comes to fire that he
will embrace Uncle Reuben, while think
Uncle Reuben will never give in until the
pistol is fairly in his hand OF course we
will load with blank cartridges. My,
won't it be sight to see those two old
darkies, scared to death, shaking hands
and swearing to be eternal friends" and
Jack laughed till the tears rolled down his
cheeks
do you think you can do it all right'"
asked Don, who was also laughing at the
picture drawn by his friend, but was lit
tie anxious nevertheless.
"Of course l can," answered Jack.
leave it to me-"
For the next ten days Jack and Don
talked to Uncle Remus and Uncle Reuben
about honor. After a long discourse upon
that theme to Uncle Remus one morning
Jack wound up with, $50 you think it dis
honorable to associate with Uncle Reuben.
do you"
Indeed l does, Marse jack" replied
the old man.
"Well, then, as l have told you, it is far
more a slur upon your reputation and
character to go on in this way. You must
fight, and it is the only thing you can do"
And then Jack explained the ant of duel
ing, while the poor darky listened with
horror stricken features. Il can only call
you honorable when you fight, Uncle Re
mus" said Jack.
"Shootin am de dom ob debbil's WILL"
muttered Uncle Remus, "but l s'pose I'se
in fur't," and he shivered a little at the
thought, while Jack left him that no might
give way unheard to his mirth.
Uncle Reuben was also prevailed upon
both by Jack and serious talk by Don to
enter himself as a principal in an ''affaire
d'honneur," and the following Wednesday
morning at 6 O'Clock, in the oak grove at
the far end of the garden, was named, Don
and Jack to provide the weapons.
Wednesday morning dawned bright and
warm. The birds were twittering cheerily
in the trees by the house, the roses per-
fumed the gentle morning breezes, every
thing seemed joyous and gay, except down
in the oak grove. There the trees cast
cooling shade, the morning dew gave
freshness to the grass, and everything
would have been joyous and gay had it
not been for two figures, which, though
perfectly SILENT lent gloom to all around
them. One figure, seated upon stump,
was motionless. 1t was Uncle Remus.
Cold drops of preparation stood upon his
forehead, while his chin rested upon his
hands, his elbows supported by his knees
Once in awhile his eyes would roll toward
the blue vault above him and then N the
direction OF the house. Misery was de-
picted in every line of his face, and occa-
sioually his mouth would twitch little.
The other figure, Uncle Reuben, stood
reclining against large tree. A look Of
determination was family visible upon his
ebony features, but Il tear trickling down
his cheek betrayed his emotion, which per
tanned TO his fate rather than being indica-
tive of sorrow. His position was some
what limp, and his gaze was rlveted upon
The house door in anxious expectation.
Presently the two boys emerged from
the front entrance and slowly and solemn
Iy, each with a horse pistol they APP
preached the com0atants. "Deys conIu,
ley's comm, an de Lawd hab mussy en- ma
soul" groaned Uncle Remus. 'S-s-shut
up, 20 brak Niger" muttered Uncle
Reuben in what was intended 70 be re-
buking growl