The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-10-30

"Gfve me those pistols! will the grove
suit you?" he asked, turning toward the
major.
Perfectly" said the latter, and the three
took up their way, the colonel leading, the
major next, and Israel at his masters COM
rland bringing up the rear and dragging
his feet as though they were weighted. A
few minutes of walking and they came to
a small open space surrounded by trees
The colonel halted and faced about.
"Will this do?n he asked
"YesF' said the major simply.
''There is no advantage in position, be-
lieve. The sun shines across the glade?'
'None!''
''But we had better toss for positions
anyhow said the colonel, and he deity
tipped coin into the air. The major
called, Heads" and ''heads'' it was.
81 will take the southern end," he said.
The colonel bowed acquiescence.
II presume you will We satisfied if Israel
attends to the loading?" the colonel re-
marked HE has done it before!' with the
slightest of smiles
"Quitep' returned the major, ignoring
the last words.
''Then, Israel, load those pistols and do
it carefully!'' commanded the colonel "Do
you hear me?" as the darby stood gaping
ut him with a terror stricken face.
Eyes. narse," mumbled Israel, picking
mp the weapons mechanically He moved
over to a nearby stump, and for minute
bat motionless, with the pistols in his lap
The colonels thunderous tones brought
him to movement. He glanced at the two
men standing stiffly at some distance from
IL, o%L I L
load one of the pistols. The colonel, see
ing him proceeding with the task, turned
to the major.
"Ten paces?" he asked
The major nodded, and the other was ir-
ritated more than ever by his silence, but
he went on. I'VE will put the pieces under
the niggers hat. Then we will draw them.
Are you agreed" He clipped off his words
three we will fire."
ment in words.
A minute more and Israel came forward
slowly with the pistols-onein either hand.
AT the colonePs order, he laid them on
fallen tree trunk and placed his hat over
them. The major drew one; his opponent
took the other.
WIN
and then moved away five PAGES and
wheeled about SO as to face each other.
Israel" said the colonel bit huskily,
count one, two, three, and if I am killed
see that am decently buried!''
The major WINGED perceptibly at this last
order, but the next instant was as calm
and his face as impassive as ever Both
men raised their pistol arms, and strang.
to say there was at least momentary
tremor of the hands and nervous twitch-
ing of the lips as they looked into each
others eyes.
"Onep' counted Israel The pistols
steadied and came into line with the breasts
of the men.
"Twop' Israel pronounced the word dis
tinctly, so that it cut sharply on the sense
of hearing
An instant's pause, then, ''Threer'
The pistols cracked together, and cloud
of blue smoke curtained the men and then
drifted lazily before the slight draft of air.
The colonel. as erect as ever, quickly bent
to one side and peered past the smoke at
his opponent. His eyes fell upon the
| major, apparently untouched also. For a
| moment neither spoke, but there was a
| flash of joy in the face of each, as quickly
| succeeded by one of seeming modification
| The major stepped forward.
THAT was an inexcusable miss of yours.
| Colonel BeebeI'' he exclaimed
| mo worse than yours, Major Hawkinsp'
retorted the colonel 'Ten PAGES and a
good Ightl You should have hit to GER
taintyr'
| 1.-THE trigger of this COMPOUNDED pistol
| pulled too hard!' explained the major
with haste.
| "And that id niger of mine startled
| me by jumping just as we fired" returned
| the colonel.
| The colonel thought he heard smothered
laugh at this. He turned like flash upon
the darby, sudden suspicion coming to
him.
sIsrael, you d niggerp he fairly shout
ed, what was the matter with the loading
of those pistols9 There was something
wrong! Confess it, you black rascalp'
"Oh, marse kunn'l. don't be KILN dis
POI niger, but didn't put no balls in dose
| pistilsl I didn't want de major and yo
| a-killin each odert''
"I'vea good mind to horsewhip you with
in an inch of your lifer' began the colonel
"But you won't!'' broke in the major.
| Then the colonel looked at the major, and
| the major at the colonel A smile appeared
| O1 oiiC LIZA dlCi lips, GILL cuS ldOuCf ToUurueu
it. A moment more and the colonel eX-
tended his hand impulsively. The major
advanced and grasped it firmly.
| They stood there holding each others
hands for an instant, and then the major
observed slowly and emphatically, as if he
were stating IN indisputable fact which he
had just discovered:
| 'Beebe, think we are couple of old
fools!'
II quite agree with you, Hawkinsr' re-
turned the colonel quite as positively, and
as if by one impulse the two locked arms
and walked off.
Israel stood watching them for minute.
Then he picked up hepistols and remarked
sagely. but with just the slightest Of quiz
ers in his voice, "a coupp O. ole foolsr'-
Francis Churchill Williams in Romance
Charles Sumner.
There was time when Charles Sumner