The Portland daily press., 1892-09-07

WaQS.
They were much surprised when the
colonel not only took up the insults, but
challenged all three to fight him stimuli
taneously. The meeting was arranged
for, and the seconds went away to pre-
pare the cartridges, and, as we have
seen, the colonel gave up the afternoon
to arranging his papers and writing let
ters.
DR.. x, of the town, Girardeau and !
were the only ones not in this miserable
practical joke.
Next morning about daybreak they
picked me up and took me to the ground,
about mile from the station. The sec
onds had brought the four pistols under
their overcoats. It was quite chilly.
When we reached the place they put
down the pistols and began measuring
off the distance-thirty-fv PAGES,
think, they made it; long ones too.
While they were so occupied the colonel
went up to where the pistols were and
began examining them, not closely-he
seemed more to be fondling them. What
struck me as strange at the time was
that his adversaries and the seconds
watched him closely.
Suddenly the colonel stood up, and in
loud and stately voice said, looking
toward his opponents:
"Gentlemen, it seems to me markedly
unfair toward two of you that you stand
fronting me in row, as my second tells
me has been arranged. Now, when
shoot, of course must choose one of
you, and as I may get killed on the first
shot it is manifestly unfair that two Of
you should not have the chance Of being
killed by me. The one I shoot at will
be killed certainly. I am an expert.
Now, gentlemen, allow me to suggest
to Mr.. Gillian, who is both taller and
broader than either Mr.. O'Farrell or
Mr. Schrader, that he stand in the rear;
that Mr.. O'Farrell, who is next in size,
stand in front of Mr.. Gillian, and that
Mr.. Schrader, who is diminutive, stand in
front of both and all stand close up. In
that way you can all shoot one over the
other, and each one may thus have a
chance of getting shot in case my car
fridge is heavily loaded with powder"
They all acceded Immediately.
There was pause. The colonel was
looking away, thinking. Of sudden
he turned around, and lifting his hat
said, "With your permission, gentle
men," then took up pistol, cooked it
and aiming quickly at an oyster can
about fifty yards off fred. The can was
not hit heard him mutter, s'This is
strange" He cooked the revolver again
again fired. ''What, not even dust"
heard him say.
Again he cooked the revolver, then
aimed and fired. Nothing.
Gentlemen" he said, turning around,
s'there is something wrong here, but
fortunately have some 44-caliber car
tridges in my coat-enough to load all
four guns" and he walked toward his
overcoat.
The two seconds and the three princi.
pals looked at each other. When they
saw the colonel pull out a box of car
tridges they turned around simultane-
ously and ran-up the road, toward the
bend, the curve in the track.
The colonel had his back toward the
runners, and was so occupied throwing
out the empty shells that he did not hear
them going, the doctor and I alone re-
manning. Suddenly he yelled:
ssBlank cartridges! Fraud, by -"
and turning around he saw them dis
appearing. He grabbed few cartridges
out of the box and started after them
loading as he ran. Then we saw him
DISQUALIFICATION fire again. We
saw his second give lunge; then we
heard his yell; then we saw him run
faster than before. The colonel sent
another shot after them, but they were
too far. Then he returned to us.
We examined all the pistols. All
were loaded with powder and paper
wads.
Girardeau was white with anger.
ssThis insult I shall never forgive"
He grabbed his box of cartridges and
started after them, loading his pistol as
he went. We followed. When we
reached the crest of the hill they saw us
and started on again. When they saw
us still coming they continued up tho
track on run, one limping badly.
We saw them flag freight train, and
as it slowed up they swung on. We
then returned to town.
left next morning for Washington,
having requested DR.. x. to write me
the particulars Of the outcome.
Here is the letter:
MY DEAR SIR-About three days after you
left, overtures were made to Girardeau to
allow the men to return. They thought that
his anger by that time would have cooled. But
it had not.
Mrs. Gillian finally was obliged to call on the
colonel. as her money was all gone, and, her
husband not being at work, tradesmen refused
to trust her. She won her case.
She then began pleading for o'Farrell.
Madam. !" said the colonel, .'do you need two
husbands?'
'Of course not" she answered. turning fiery
red.
II thought not" said he, as he politely
opened the door to let her pass out. Madam,
your husband for your sake can return with
perfect safety SO far am concerned, but
the others return at the risk of their lives or
mine. Good day."
Gillian has returned. O'FarreI and Schrader
have found work at Socorro. and the two SEQ
onds have sent for their things and are going
up north.