Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-07-23
A DEAD SHOT.

u. Scott was much Simmer, more
dandified-l looking man than he is now,
there were seated at one OF the little
round marble tables before the Cafe
Ricci. in Paris. two young Frenchmen,
the cheek OF one Of whom bore a red
mark as II some one had brought his
hand sharply against 1t. In an inner
room Of the cafe the person who had
done this was engaged in wiping away
from his shirt front the stains OF some
red wine which in his fury the re-
cipient OF the slap had hurled across
the table. The man with the red
cheek was the young Adolphe Ferrier,
the son of the celebrated artist OF that
name. The man with the soiled shirt
front was Martin G.. Scott OF Mobile,
Ala
There had been an exchange OF
cards and Scott and his friend, George
+. Wainwright twelve hours later
suddenly found themselves with a
large-sized, healthy French quarrel on
their hands to be settled, as most of
those matters are in France under the
code.
When it came to a choice OF weap-
ons Scott had wisely chosen pistols
for, while he was VIGOROUSLY bad
shot he was totally ignorant Of the
use OF the napier.
The affair was to come of at
Auvergne, little village distant about
nine miles from Paris, in forty-eight
hours time.
l doubt II Scott was so much cut
about the affair as Wainwright, even
though he fully expected to be killed.
The more Wainwright thought over
the affair the more he realized what
an awkward job he had upon his
handA
He lay awake all night Mt his hotel,
revolving some plan by which they
could get out OF the scrape. He had
frequently seen Ferrier practicing at a
fashionable pistol-gallery in the Rue
du Capacines. Wainwright arose ear
ly with plan fully thought out.
Come" he said to Scott, 1--WE
haven't too much time before us. We
must 60 down to Maupassant's gallery
and get some practice. You stay here
and have some breakfast. don't care
to eat SO early. I'll run down there
and see II we can't get the gallery all
to ourselves for couple of hours"
Wainwright jumped into cab and
dashed on to the Gallery Maupassant,
whore for upward Of half an hour he
remained closeted with its proprietor.
Its agreed then, said Wainwright
at the conclusion OF the interview.
Now: then, NJ. Maupassant there are
250 francs down. The remainder YOU
get II tho duel doesn't come off,"
agreed, said the Frenchman, and
he sat down and wrote at least twenty
letters like the following:
M. Maupassant requests tho pleasure
OF your company tomorrow afternoon at
8o'clock to witness the phenomenal shoot
ing of an American gentleman, who has
kindly consented to give an exhibition Of
his skill at that hour
While N. Maupassant was thus en-
gagged Wainwright put in half an hour
making sundry purchases. returning
with them to the gallery, where the
next hour was profitably employed by
him in company with an ingenious
mechanic.
Meantime as the idea grew upon
the mind of NJ. Maupassant he
chuckled and wrote, extending his in
vitations until, il One-half of them were
accepted, the question was would there
be standing-room in the gallery?
1--WE must certainly 60 down and see
this American shoot said NJ. Terriers
second. you may find some OF his
tricks useful to you at Auvergne to-
morrow"
NJ. Ferrier, whose courage was not
Of the notwithstanding kind,
shivered slightly, though the weather
was decidedly warm.
Il wish that fellow had chosen
rapiers, he muttcred. These Amer
cans are such devils with the pistol"
1t was o'clock in the afternoon.
NJ. Maupassant's gallery was crowd.
ed. NJ. Ferrier had an excellent seat.
With Frenchman's love of gossip his
second had talked freely of the meet
ing on the morrow.
As the American had not yet come
dozen voices called on Ferrier to step
down and get some practice and amuse
the company at the same time.
Throwing of his coat he stepped
down on to the floor OF the gallery,
and picking up pistol. marked two
bulls-eyes in rapid succession.
His third bullet went just above
however, an inch at least to the
right.
"Your pistol is little heavy on the
trigger monsieur, said a voice behind
Turning quickly, he recognized
Wainwright who was standing quietly
by. smile full of meaning in his blue
eyes, a. Ferrier, quite disconnected
now, fired again and missed for the
second time.
A. this moment side door In the
CELERY opened and. sci ,pulously at
tired snd holding in either hand Ion.