The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-04-27
A DUEL NOT A FARCE,

Barrowe and Fox have met. The
affair was goreless. This will strike the
public humorously and have a riotous
effect on the humorist's funny bone.
The whole affair is serious enough. A
| faithless wife, an insolent lover and a
wronged husband form a circumstance
that is not piccadillo. Drayton might
have shot down his wife's paramount
point blank, but that would have en-
tailed long, harassing trial with no
absolute exemption from some penalty.
Duelling, as accepted at this day, is
ridiculous and Drayton wonld have
gained nothing by shooting at his enemy
and being shot at in turn. If his second,
Fox, was of the sensitive temperament,
whose sense of honor demapds vindica-
ton, it was only natural for him to find
recourse in a cause. that has been
followed for centuries. If NIilbank
wanted to fight duel for his own sense
of honor, he too, had right in code as
old as the history of personal broils.
The two men met on an estate in Bel
gium.
When the preliminaries had been ar
ranged strictly according to code, Mil
bank fired his pistol into the air to show
that they were in shape to shoot. The
weapons were then reloaded with large
sized bullets and plenty of powder, and
the duellists placed in position.
Gentlemen" said DIilbank, and the
reporters, cool as cucumbers, took down
each word in short hand, 81 shall say
fire; one, two, three; you may fire at any
time between the words one and three.
Are you ready
Ready" said Borrowe; Fox did not
reply. Ready, fire! one"-bang went
both pistols at once, before the word two
was spoken. Neither of the men spoke
a word. and the seconds advanced and
took away the weapons. Both men stood
in their tracks during the ceremony of
reloading The only indication of nerv-
BUSINESS on Borrowers part was his light
ing a cigarette. Fox never stirred.
When Milbank spoke the word some"
again both men fired. AS before Bor-
rowe stood still, but Fox lifted his hat to
indicate hit-a palpable hit, Borrowe
returned the courtesy. Both seconds
ran up and found Fox's coat perforated
six inches below the lowest button. Hon
or was declared satisfied and Milbank
said; Gentlemen, my pistols have been
in good hands"
Duelling is ludicrous. The idea of a
mans honor being satisfied by contest
ant combat of pistols is ridiculous. Just
so, when two men throw off their coats,
bare their arms and blacken each others
eyes. Neither one is the better, physi-
cally, for the encounter. But men do
this daily. 1t is occasionally necessary
for some natures to have personal en-
counter with their enemies. 1t is strain |
that nature puts in man. The meeting
of two men does not help them, but il |
them. They have openly met. |
put denial to any charge of cowardice |
and proven their chivalry to their oppo- |
nents. This may be poor way to prove !
your worth, but it is a common way. in !
the forum and in the press as well as in |
the arena or on the duelling ground. 1t
IS from this strange faculty in mans
that Borrowe and Fox can de.
clare themselves satisfied. They are not
open to charge of cowardice. 1t is not
fun to stand up and have your coat
pierced with bullets. The newspaper
humorists may regard it as very farcical
but they would not if they were partici.
pants.
The necessity of duelling is false idea
Of healing wounded honor. 1t is not
right, but it is nature.