Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-09
QUEER DUEL IN THE WEST INDIES.
/ It Ended In . More Remarkable Manner
| Than That In which 1t Began.

It Ended In More Remarkable Manner
Than That In Which 1t Began.
From the Louisville Commercial
l was talking with an old West Indian ex-
planter.'a man not long past bis three-seore
years and ten, who left Jamaica somewhere in
the ifties
II see," said he, "that there is some talk o,
raising Sir John Macdonald's widow to the
peerage II it should prove true she will be
the first native West Indian to come in for
such an honor, at least in a great number OF
years. Indeed, do not remember that the
thing has ever happened before. although
Cowan, the composer, who received a baron
etcy some time since, was, like Lady Mscdon-
aid, a native Of jamaica
Yes" he continued, II remember her father
well. Monkey Bernard they used to call him.
and probably no white man except Charles
Darwin himself the apostle Of the monkey an
cestral gospel, ever more closely resembled an
ape in the face.
There was a young buck, however, who had
narrow escape from paying dearly for his
laugh at Demands unfortunate physiognomv.
John X.-tbat was not his name but it will
90 as well as any otber--was walking along
Fort Ryan street. Kingston. one fine morning,
when crowd Of idle negroes attracted his
attention The Center Of amusement proved
held by rope fastened around its body.
IN was AT once struck by the likeness-so he
told me afterward-to Bernard. and the result
WAS that he then and there handed over two
gold doubloons to the sailor and became the
proprietor of this living carcature.
BERNARD was a large planter and q man of
some wealth and held n majors commission in
the Jamaica militia. The fates SO willed it that
there was grand inspection of the militia APP
pointed to be held within few weeks after this
zrntar AL
mischief prompted him to avail himself Of the
occasion Tor an act of the most outrageous
deviiment
He had the ape fitted with a complete sui,
OF regimentals, as worn by the major in the
Jamaica militia. bought little tin sword and
spent hours IN training this brute to walk up
right with the dawn sword held in its RICH,
hand.
The secret was well kept until the day OF
the review. Crowds Of negroes surrounded the
race course just outside of Kingston. where
the troops were to march past. Presently
Bcrnard's regiment marched on TO the ground
and wheeled into the line. At the same mo-
ment there was shout from hundreds OF lusty
negro throats. 'Lookoo Monkey Bernard . and
\. ape, brilliant in 81 rlet and white. with its
tin sword well shouldered, strutted out toward
the ranks.
Il suppose that with the exception Of Ber-
nard himself there was not a man on that
ground that was not conyulsed with laughter.
The military evolutions had to wait until the
ape had been recnptured by NJ groom.
"lbe duel had not quite gone out o. fashion
in those days, or at any rate not in Jamaica.
or course apology void have been ride ulous,
SO y had 10 accept Bernard's challenge The
weapon, as was usual with u.s. was the old-fash-
toned, ringle-barreIed daeling pistol. The
principals had the right of .reserving their
fire, that is, though they might not fire until
the word was given, either of them might take
time after the word Was given to take aim more
deliberately.
*. was an accomplished duelist. but sup
pose lie saw the enormity of first laboriously
insulting an uuoffending man and then shoot
ing him. Otherwise ! can't account for his
missing Bernard as lie did, for Of remember
right the distance was only twenty PAGES.
Bernard reserved his fire. Then, with his
pistol still pointing to the ground, he said to
y, who was quietly awaiting the event:
Young man, am not going TO take your life
this time, but | will teach you what l could do
if felt inclined
~. was standing close to tree on which a
ripe lime fruit hung within yard of his head.
Bernard raised his pistol and with the bullet
cut that fruit clean from the branch it hung
on.
IF any one ever deserved to bear the motto
handsome IS as handsome does it was Mon
key Bernard, and think from and after that
day he and all his family ought to have been
proud of his nickname"
What became o: :.ie apef" asked.
Il forget what fate befell that famous
ape, said my old friend, but the pistols thew
used-a pair-have found their way, L believe,
IKE Bernards daughter, to Canada"