Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1895-01-24
MADE THE HLACKLEG WEAKEN
A Kentucky Farmers Reply to the Gambler Who Challenged Him.

A Kentucky Farmers Reply to tue Gambler 1 Who Challenged Him.
 E. c. Chatterton was B prosperous farmer in Hancock county, Ky, who made annual visits to New Orleans to sell the products of his farm This was in the days when the code duello was part of the education of every gentleman. The headquarters for all Kentuckians in New Orleans on busi. ness was the old St. Charles hotel. One of the loungers at this hotel was a i gambler, who was known as the most desperate man in the city and the most expert duelist in the south. No one had ever dared to question his courage, and even the other gamblers feared him. The man was well known at all the re- sorts in New Orleans. Chatterton's friends took pains to point out the gambler to him and warn him against giving the blackleg any pretense for a challenge. Chatterton assured his friends that if a challenge were issued it would be through no fault of his, and dismissed the subject without showing excitement. The two men were not thrown together all of that day until near supper time. Then, as they both entered the big dining room, Chatterton brushed lightly against the gambler. The latter glanced sharply at Chatterton, but said nothing.
 Supper passed over serenely, and the guests scattered out over the house. Chatterton went to the card room with half a dozen friends and watched a game of cards with interest, when one of the porters of the hotel appr cached him, bearing a small silver tray on which was neatly folded note ad- dressed to B. c. Chatterton. Chatterton tore open the note and motioning the porter, who started to leave, to wait read 1t out loud. When he finished his friends stood looking at him with scared eyes. They had heard 6 chal- lenge from the gambler addressed to IGhatterton and demanding a duel as the only satisfaction gentleman could demand for being pushed aside in the dining room.
 The note ended with these words: "No one but coward will refuse to meet gentleman on the fair terms eXacted by 8 duel" The friends of
 
 of eowardiee was more than a sword thrust to arouse hin, nevertheless they beSeught him to ignore the challenge. They said the gambler was inyincible both with the sword and pistol, and to attempt to meet him was simply to throw his life away.
 See here, Chatterton," they said, "you are man of family. wife and children depending upon you. This gambler is sure shot and desperate man. and will stoop to anything. Stick that challenge in the fire and get out of town as soon as you can. No one will be the wiser" Chatterton listened quietly to every word that was said and then asked for pen and ink. His friends saw that further words would be waste, so these were brought to him,
 He wrote for very few minutes and then handed this note to the friend nearest to him: "Sir, will meet you tonight on the plaza with my second, who is an honorable gentleman. He will bear two revolvers, one of which you may select. We will stand toe to toe. While the revolvers are still un- cooked, each shall place his between the others teeth. At the word fire the hammers shall be pulled back and the shells exploded The pistols may be discharged until one or the other of us is dead'
 The man who read the note looked startled, and again tried to persuade his friend to think better of his condi- tions, which would, certainly compass the death of both. No words could dissuade Chatterton, however, and the note was sent down.
 In half an hour this answer came back; 1T never fight duels with fools" Louisville Courier-J Journal.