Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-10-03

/ ludI SHe uIdy nave Il CuduSe OI ar ana
! scenery. So l have determined to take
/ the boat for New Orleans. Now, am
not so young as | was once, so why
can you not offer to accompany US in
! order TO assist me? Nothing to do
with Marion, of course. Then, as she
RECEIVERS her spirits, you may resume
your Wooing with every hope Of sue
cess
My dear SIR exclaimed Theodore
selling Jonathan Wears hand, L
shall be delighted. 1t is the very
! thing I should have proposed myself,
and l shall be most happy to make
one Of your party"
So it was arranged, and on the fol-
lowing week the Wears, accompanied
by Theodore Barrett, left Arcadia and
went on board one of the palatial
steamers of those great days on the
river bound for the city of New Or
! leans.
The st. Charles Hotel was rather
crowded on certain evening, just be-
fore Mardi Gras. A tall, dark gentle
man entered and had scarcely looked
round the public room before Il young
man, sitting at a small table in a re-
cess, called out:
Hello Theodore! How are you, old
man? Why, l haven't seen you for an
age. What brings you to New Or
leans? Come and sit down. Allow me
to introduce you to Lieut.. TottenharI
Of the United States army. There are
quite a number of army officers in
town from western 0utpOstS. Come to
attend the festivities"
Theodore Barrett sat down, ana
after bowling to the stranger, replied:
AS to health, my boy, [ was never
better, and my business here is in
connection with that little matter you
once assisted me in-you remembers"
Il should think l do" answered his
friend, and only this afternoon l was
telling Tottenham about your expecta-
tions. Come, now, tell us all about it
from the beginning for l have heard a
portion, as you know
We'll" said Barrett, rather thought
fully, you must know, gentlemen,
that near a certain city there dwelt as
beautiful girl as any in the west.
Unfortunately, this young lady had
the bad taste to prefer a washed out
looking young fellow to me. Just as
| was thinking how to win the lady
this poor devil precipitated matters
and worked into my hands by making
an offer, which was postponed for two
years. Of course, l sympathized with
him and advised him to go west. He
did so, and my next move was to
bring about a rupture between the
pair. You remember Jimmie Will
liams? Well, he owed me some
money, and l easily persuaded him to
find out where this young fellow was
located and write to friend of his to
tell my rival, as bit of town gossip,
that l had been married to the lovely
young woman. l knew the fellows
stupid feelings of honor would prevent
his suspecting anything or making any
inquiries. My next proceeding was to
insert notice of the poor devils mar
rage in the LEGAL paper, which was
promptly contradicted the next day,
L showing the lady the notice, but not
the ontradiction. Since then she has
been recovering from the blow, and we
are travelling about with papa, who
has full faith in me; so 1 have no
doubt that in a short time l shall be
rewarded for my trouble
You shall be rewarded, and at once
-scoundrel that you are!' exclaimed
a voice.
'And now, liar, villain, bastard and
Gray, who had been seated at the
next table with his back toward Bar
rett, arose and threw glass Of wine
and water full into Barrett's face
And now, liar, william, bastard and
scoundrel! do you require any other
provocation before giving me that sat
isfaction which alone can wipe out
this foul, infamous plot?"
Certainly not" exclaimed Barrett's
friend, as ne rose from the table
Have you any friend in the room
to whom l can address myself?"
Il shall be most happy to act as
Lieut.. Gray's FRIEND" responded Lieut..
Tottenham, for more Infamous
thing L never heard Of"
AS Gray thanked the young officer
he recognized in him the friend VINO
had given him the information Of
Marion's alleged marriage.
In three minutes it was decided that
they should go out at once to a well
known place near the city and settle
the matter with swords. The affray
had taken place in small recess of
the hotel and it had not been generally
noticed, so they were able to retire
without attracting attention and pre-
pare for the meeting.
With the moonbeams dancing upon
their naked weapons, the two men
came to guard. Both were Infatuated
to the last degree and it was evident
the issue would be quickly decided.
A few rapid passes and Theodore
Barrett fell back with an ugly, gaping
wound in his thigh. AS he lay on the
ground, he called out:
Lieut.. Gray! Come to me! l have
something to say to you before 1 die
Gray approached him and bent down
to hear what he had to offer.
Bend lower-loWer yet That is
right Take that!"
And he ran his sword up to the hilt
in his 1ivaTs breast.
Hal" he cried IF DO not get her,
you shall not!''
Mortified at such a dastardly deed,
the two seconds took up the PROSTATE
ofT Grav nd +