Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-06-06
THE RAMONET DUEL.

The manner of giving, says the poet,
is of more Importance than the gift. l
think, however, that when the thing re-
ceived is blow ON the face the distinc-
ton is not likely to be appreciated by
the recipients. This was M. Ramonet's
opinion-and he had had experience.
He was dining in restaurant with his
friends Peignot, Glousseux and Mon
pate, and the first named person had in
the heat of argument struck him on the
face. The proprietor of the restaurant,
not wishing to have any disturbance, re-
quested the party to adjourn to small
room up stairs for the purpose of set
tling the difficulty.
Glousseux opened the discussion, say
ing sternly, SIT seems to me, gentlemen,
that my friend Ramonet cannot be ex-
pected to take blow without demand
ing satisfaction"
"Cr he might bring a suit for dam
ages" said Monpate more mildly.
"Yes, of course" cried Ramonet and
Peignot, both evidently preferring the
last named measure
81 shall speak of that later" said
Glousseux-and sigh of relief escaped
the parties most concerned-"but we
must first, he added, ascertain whether
M. Peignot is willing to apologize to my
friend Ramonet"
"Ishould accept" ," said the injured man
timidly, but Peignot, thinking he al
luded to twenty-five francs damages,
exclaimed "Never!"
every WELL" said Glousseux briskly.
"That being the case we must now de.
eide whether the assault constituted q
slap or a blow, as there is great differ
ence between the two."
Peignot thought the difference might
consist of hundred francs in the way
of damages, so he fastened to declare
that it was merely slap, while Ramo.
net remarked, "All l know about it is
that saw stars"
''It is the law in affairs of honor,
said Glousseux, ''that slap calls for 9
personal meeting, while blow is mere
ly the act of boor and may be referred
to the police for penalty"
Ramonet and Peignot on hearing this
exclaimed simultaneously that it was q
blow, but Glousseux begged them moi
to speak hastily and then added:
ga blow with the fist produces dull
solid thud, whereas slap is sharp and
resounding. Now l will leave 1t tc
Monpate to say whether it sounded like
pouf or like clackr
The gentleman appealed to replied
that truth compelled him to say that
he had heard clack!
"Besides that" said Glousseux tri.
umphantly, sit is evident from the red
mark ON my friends left cheek that il
was slap he received. We have now
gentlemen, nothing more to do but to
arrange the details of the meeting.
Monpate, you and l are willing to act
as seconds, are we notT
Here Ramonet, evidently enlightened
by the stars he had seen, opened his lips
to suggest a compromise, but Monpate
interrupted him.
"Will you take us, or do you prefer to
seek others? No? Very we'll, we &C.
cepC the nOnOr you OHer us.
"And grave responsibility 1t is,
added Glousseux; "the lives of two fel.
low creatures are concerned"
The seconds conversed in whispers fol-
few minutes, and then Glousseux re-
marked:
"Ramonet, you have the choice oi
arms, and l counsel you to select
swords"
cat how many paces" gasped Peig
not.
"There is no question of paces," ex
planned Monpate. "That is only when
pistols are used. The sword is infinitely
preferable, for it seldom kills, but al
ways wounds"
"And in neither case renders the com
batants ridiculous" added Glousseux
Il shall attend to the weapons, and
Monpate will engage the surgeon"
"The surgeonp repeated Ramonet un
easily.
Certainly, but you need not worry
about nything-leave it all to us. Yor
have nothing to do but to go to the ap
| pointed place at the appointed hour
| Now, my friend, hold up your head
and walk proudly through that crowd
of journalists down stairs, and let those
who witnessed the insult you received
also see that You have exacted satisfac
| ton as becomes gentleman"-