The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-11


[ aud genial face. At last it was resolved to
send delegation on shore to look him up,
! when, Just as they were about to start, a
boat came alongside and the major stepped
on deck.
His conference was solemn, almost stolid.
/ in its expression. His coat was tuttoued
up awry and was unbrushed. His usually
| respondent shoes was unpublished, but draw
ing his form to its full hight he saluted the
officer of the deck in a military manner.
and deliberately said: "Sir, l navs returned
| aboard Making half face 10 the left he
proceeded to the hatch and carefully went
| below.
His expectant messmates were in the
| ward room in force to hear the news
| Whether he was the bearer Of tragic words
or whether of chez full ones. was the ques-
ton. The hero seated himself at the table,
| and all gathered around.
After a moment OF silence the major spoke
as follows: If any of you fellows want to
fight duel call on me to act for you. can
do it right every time"
| How was it, majorp
How did it come out'
What did you dor
Such questions came in fast. The major
pulled himself together, called for a glass Of
water, and said: "Sit down, gentlemen,
and ! will tell you all about it."
| classmates" he began, judging from my
dilapldated appearance and my somewhat
interrupted speech you may imagine that
am the victim of grief, or Of a hurried
flight from a tragic scene. beg to assure
you that it is not so. There IL nothing the
matter with me but conviviality, and that
Of the strangest kind. hereby renew my
offer to act as a second in any further duels
that may come our waY;" and the major
leaned back in his chair and patted his
| swelling breast approvingly.
| II need not tell you, gentlemen, that
when | started ashore last night with the
| baron could not see my way out Of what
promised to be a very serious scrape. After
reaching the baron's room, over a bottle OF
| champagne. he gave me his case. Itseems
| that at a ball the previous evening the
Brazilian gentleman spoken Of by the baron
had given him offense by something he had
said and the baron was determined
| to demand satisfaction. He was
ready to fight at daylight with either sword
or pistol. l at once demanded that my prin.
cipal should put himself unreservedlv into
my hands, aud be governed by any arrange
ments that l should make Fortunately
| knew the Brazilian well, and as the baron
insisted on haste in the matter, l proceeded
at once on my mission, although it was
after midnight
| II assumed a severe expression of counte-
| nance, and summoned the Brazilian to a
conference from his bed. He received me
very courteOusly hut expressed some sur
prise at so late II call.
II said, my dear sir, you have given
great offense to my friend, Baron Knock
off, and he has desired me to demand salts
faction of you
| THE gentleman was greatly surprised
| and said that he knew the baron very we'll
and regarded him as one of his friends, and
was utterly unconscious of giving him Of
Tense at the time mentioned, and that the
baron was mistaken. He said that he
hoA M 70 arwhN
that in this case he saw no cause.
II thought this was good time to get IN
a bluff. can only say that it did not work
| said, with frown, "Am to understand
that you refuse to meet my friend?
The result was not just what / antici-
pated. The Brazilian gentleman jumped
up and said:
"'You can tell Baron Knockoff that I
shall shoot the top OF his head Off if he
gives me just cause, and that | won't stand
any nonsense about it, either
Boys, l came near falling off my cher
and 1t took me about half an hour to pacify
the fellow. At last he cooled off and opened
a small bottle. n
after some talk, he said he did not
know where to look for a second at that
time Of night, and at last he asked my ad-
| vice in the matter.
"'You are military man, said he. and
| are accustomed to these affairs, What do
you adviser
Il answered that 1 thought that if he
would write note to the baron disclaiming
| any Intention Of giving offense, | could ar
range the matter He said: That would
look like an apology. 1 won't apologize to
any man that hauls me out of bed like this.
l would rather fight him.
| II fastened to assure him that he had
| mistaken my meaning
Well, said he, you write out such a
m . va hfFnly T -
will see how it looks
$50 wrote out pacific note expressing
regret that the baron had taken offense,
| and stating that none was intended.
The Brazilian read the note, and said he
did not like it. At last he said: Major,
you are military man; if you we're in my
place would you Sign that notep
| Boys, meant all | said when answered:
L certainly would
| $50 he signed the note, and after mutual
expressions of good will returned to the
| baron.
81 found him with bottle of wine be-
fore him. smoking cigar. He jumped up
| when L entered and said:
tolsr
| Baron said l, deliberately, Il am the
| bearer OF a communication to you from
your antagonist to which beg your ear
| nest attsnton.'
| handed hlm the note, which he read
with frown on his face. He threw it
down on the table and said: The fellow is
trying to get out Of this thing. | won't
accept his note.'
Il at once arose and buttoned up my coat
'Baron,' sal |, with all the dignity L could
assume. L will remind you that you put
yourself unreservedly in my hands In
view Of your remark in reference to this
note. l must at once withdraw from this
| affair
my dear fellow, said the baron, don't be
offended; let us talk this matter over He
read the note again, and after some CONVEX
sation he asked. Major, you are military
man. If you we're in my place would you
accept this notep
Il can again assure you brethren, that /
| spoke with much feeling when l answered,
4 certainly would
Then will accept it, said the baron.
| We will go and get the gentleman up, aad
shake hands over bottle of wine'
I'VE did so, and have been shaking
hands in the same condition ever since.
so, gentlemen, bring all your duels to
me- will be your second, said the major.
1t was at once voted that for bravery and
diplomacy the major took the prize.
CURING BY SUPER sTITION.
The MarOI1ia oF lorna da@ba,s T,4a.