The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1893-03-25
MY FIRST DUEL.

they stood under the arcade of La Con-
iteria del Aguela, in Gale Florida. in
the city of Buenos Ayres.
Both young men belonged to the gilded
youth of our city. and having very little
to do were amusing themselves by
watching all the pretty girls pass along
the Gale Florida.
why do you smile?" asked DR.. Fed
erico Pinares, who had been the first
one to speak.
you would also SMILE" answered
Carlos, "if you had made a fool Of your
self about a woman, sent her enough
flowers every day to adorn a church.
stayed awake all night to write a few
lines of poetry to send her; danced with
her 30 often that every one said. oh,
yes, they are going to be married. fought
a duel for her, and then had that very
same woman pass you in the street with
a cool bow and completely ignore you
otherwise"
You fought a duel, why3' asked
Federico.
1T is a long tale, and it happened
while you were in Paris studying medi-
cine. presume you never heard of ity"
IF did, l do not remember now,"
answered DR.. Pinares. Now, Carlos,
tell me all about it."
1T is nearly half past g.. Let us go
to the Cafe de Paris and have dinner.
There, after dinner. I will tell you the
story"
The two young men proceeded toward
Piedad street and entered the brilliantly
lighted restaurant of the Cafe de Paris.
After a costly dinner, for in Buenos
Ayres everything is costly, they asked
for their coffee and chartreuse, and Car
los Gonzales commenced his story:
"Three years ago | would have gone
fighting windmills, a flock of sheep, or
worse, like Don Quixote, had any one
told me that Carmencita Ellauri was not
the prettiest girl in Buenos Ayres; but
for that matter l could name you half
a dozen men who thought the same
thing, and among them was Ernesto
Frias.
"You perhaps remember what great
friends Ernesto and l once were. but
when we both began counting Carmen
all our friendship flew away upon the
wings of the wind.
Carmen certainly gave me reason to
think that she was serious. and l sup
pose she did the same to Frias, for many
people believed she would marry him.
Zone night-it was really 2 o'clock in
the morning-we were playing cards at
the Club del Progreso. when between
two games one of the men remarked,
BY the way, Frias. when does the we'd
ding come Off
"'What wedding?' he asked.
why, your marriage with Carmen
cita Ellauri.'
"'Now, don't be foolish, Frias calmly
said; go on; give me my cards.
"All the men laughed. and one of them
said:
"'Silence gives consent, and so we
may believe that you are engaged to her.
Well, let me congratulate YOU And SO
saying he slapped Frias or the shoulder.
"Frias only smiled complacently, and
they continued their raillery until |
could stand it 10 longer, inasmuch as |
had been on fire during all the converse
ton, 80 l lifted my head and said as
calmly as | could:
"'Gentlemen, it is in very bad taste to
thus use the name of a lady, and any one
who does it or allows it without resent.
ing the insult is a coward
"Ernesto turned pale, and pushing
back his chair rose to his feet.
cam | to understand that this insult
/ Is directed to meY' he asked.
81 care not what you understand
answered; 4 expressed my sentiment
"'And do You know what my senti-
ment ISL he asked. 4 think that you are
the greatest coward for daring to take
that lady's name as a basis for a scandal
and a quarrel
Blind with fury. | advanced toward
Frias, and with my open palm smote his
cheek lightly. Ernesto clinched his fists
and made q move toward me, but some
of his friends held him back, as others
were holding me. Ernesto took out his
cardcase, and with trembling fingers
opened it, got a card, threw it on the ta-
BILE and said: I hope that Senior Gonzales
will not be coward enough to refuse to
meet me. Tomorrow, or rather today,
at 10 o'clock in the morning. will send
him my seconds
mime will be ready to meet those Of
Senior Frias,' | tremendously answered.
"'Well,'I thought on leaving the club,
here l am engaged in u duel. but l don't
care; l was defending her: besides l shall
have the choice Of weapons. and Ger.
tainly l shall choose swords
Il was an expert with the sword. az ]
had taken lessons from the celebrated
Italian professor. Signor ~Spadachini. SO
my mind was perfectly ut peace.
When | reached home ! wrote two OF
three letters to friends Of mine, who
knew would be my seconds. ordered my
servant to take the letters TO their re-
spective addresses rs soon rs 1t became
light, and then went to he'd and slept
calmly until 8 o'clock.
lat about 8 saw my seconds and
gave them my Instructions. was rather
excited until saw them again, nearly
four hours later. when they acquainted
me with the result Of their interview.