The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-12-09

Wainwright, standing quietly against
the wall, feeling cautiously, with his
hands behind him, for small, round,
white object.
Mr.. Scott bowed once more pro-
foundly to his distinguished audience.
Especially did he extend his salutation
to that portion of the room, where,
pale as death, now sat the thoroughly
alarmed M. Ferrier, and who in the re-.
doubtable American marksman had
recognized the man he had insulted
at the Cafe Ricci.
Il will now give you an imitation"
said Scott, in an offhand manner, "of a
Western cowboy practising on the head
of tenpenny nail at fifty PAGES. I
will fire first at the large bull's-eye SO
as to get my hand in.
He lifted the two long duelling pis-
tolls and fired from them alternately,
pulling the triggers like lightning.
Above the noise of the explosions could
be heard the tinkling of the bell as each
bullet struck fair and square in the
center.
When the smoke cleared away not %
mark was visible on the white portion
of the target. He had fired twelve shots
and every bullet had struck the bulls
eye.
Scott turned and bowed modestly to
his audience in acknowledgment of a
yociferous round of applause.
AS before, he glanced over to the
seat occupied by NJ. Ferrier. The
Frenchman's face looked more anxious
than ever, and he exchanged hurried
whispers with his second.
"Ill now show you gentlemen" con-
tinued Scott, o somewhat more difficult
feat"
He took pistol and threw it towards
the ceiling, and, catching it in his
hand as it descended, pulled the trig-
ger.
A loud ringing of the bell announced
that the bullet had again struck the
bulls eye.
Mon Dieu r whispered Ferrier, who
was now in clammy sweat through
fear. He will drop me at the first
shot.
Scott now took small Winchester
rifle from the hands of M. Maupassant,
and placing it over his shoulder, turned
his back to the target and faced large
mirror where the same was reflected.
Starting from the firing point and
walking slowly towards the mirror he
fixed his eye steadfastly on the refec-
ton of the target and rapidly worked
the crank of the Winchester. AS before,
every one of the sixteen bullets struck
the bulls eye, and the bell was ringing
almost continuously
A perfect hurricane of applause now
shook the gallery. M. Maupassant
smiled all over, and several French
gentlemen left their seats and crowded
around the American. offering their con-
gratulations at the marvellous skill
which he had displayed. Among these
latter was the second of NJ. Ferrier.
"Of course, we shall meet you, Mon
sieur Scott, he said, but we trust you
will spare u.s. Nobody has chance
who stands up before you"
He was evidently as much frightened
as his principal.
Now was Wainwright's opportunity.
He stepped forward and said to the Lit.
tie group:
Gentlemen, can't this matter be
patched up in some way? You see the
kind of shot my friend is. He hates
to take life"
III see what can do, said NJ. Fer
rier's second, eagerly, as he dived over
to his principal.
well. if you won't apologize, you're
an idiot. This time tomorrow you
will be in the hands of the undertaken.
tell you I'll have nothing to do with
this murder"
This settled poor Ferrier. Choking
down his humiliation he stammered
out:
We'll, you may apologize for me if
you like It's dreadful thing to do,
but 1 suppose I must. 1 certainly
can't afford to die at my age, and with
my prospects. But shall never hold
up my head at the club again.
Terriers second then rendered q
handsome apology to Scott, who, with
a magnanimity which provoked ap-
plause, thereupon Immediately apollo
gized also, which so affected NJ. Ferrier
that, after the fashion of his country
men, he would have thrown himself on
Mr.. Scott's breast and wept.
And thus was the duel between NJ.
Scott and NJ. Ferrier neatly averted by
the ingenuity of NJ. Wainwright.
NJ. Maupassant was distinct gamer
by the hoax, for, in addition to the
splendid reputation it gave his gallery,
he Immediately received the remaining
$50 francs from NJ. Wainwright. The
electric bell, wire and batteries which
Wainwright had purchased that morn.
ing, and, with the aid of the ingenious
mechanic. put in such admirable work
ing order, were also given by Vain
wright to the worthy proprietor of the
gallery, who instantly disposed of the
whole outfit for cash, even to the little
button which Wainwright had pressed
so efficiently every time his friend Scott
had fired off his blank cartridges.
And Scott
Well, he was the hero of Paris for al
least a fortnight, and was pointed at on
the boulevards as the greatest shot in
the world. His popularity continued
until a ballad dancer in short skirts
caught the public fancy and cut him
out. And thus it is ever with ''the
bubble, reputation, Austin Granville
in Romance.
Be not ashamed of an humble pa.
rantaoe or an hnmhla oceunation he