Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-03-27
WAS he A CUWARD?

ooom, my newly mnu0 acquaintance ana i.
'To resume the subject wo were dis
sussing at the table," ne began. "let me
give you nm instance that came across my
notice some years ago.
"It wasn't tho first affair of honor that
had had 60 do with I'm ono way or an
other, but not oven tho first unnerved me
like this did.
my friend. Paul Graham, WINS young
lawyer. We had played together In infan-
cy, and wo were chums at college. We
spent our vacations together shooting and
fishing.
"More than once had heard him do
clare that In his opinion dueling was
morally and socially wrong. Onco asked
him:
"Would you refuse challenger
"'I shall never send one, he answered,
and 1t would be cowardioe In mo to ac-
sept one -aa
"'But'-
"'I havo not answered the question,
you are about to object. cannot answer
Il In word. II ever accept challenge
10 will be for the simple reason that am
afraid of what people would think and
say, .u .,,. , ..,,,.,, ,.,., :, 10, ,,o .,,,,,
with William Cuthbert came up. Graham
sent for me- l knew he would. There
was little to say except that Cuthbert's
friend, Milan, had called upon him (Gra
ham) that afternoon.
"'There is only one thing for me to do.
Will you carry my answerH ho said.
1T did look cold blooded. This man
was-well, he was sacrificing himself.
Cuthbert was crack shot and had killed
his man. Graham was a miserably poor
shot and novice
"'Will you carry my answer
ION condition that you consent to
my arrangements as to the distance, and
that you promise me upon your honor as
gentleman to shoot to kill.
"'Do as you please
"Good Well, thank Commodore De-
catur for the suggestion and make the
most of it. And promise me that you will
kill him II you can
He shook his head.
"'You know what I believe. I shall
not try TO hit him In any event. II /
killed him, it would be murder.
"'Idiot And what would it be II no
killed your
Murder
'Of course refused to have anything
to do with tho matter. In fact, came
near going to Cuthbert to explain the sit
uation fully, In gross violation Of conf
dence. didn't know what to do and
finally did nothing but lose some sleep
over It, even refused to go as surgeon,
but consented reluctantly when Graham
insisted.
"His second was an ass named Morrow
"a consuInmate ass! He agreed to ten
paoes, when he might have known that
Cuthbert's being disconnected -as the
British officer was by Decaturs arrange |
ment, in behalf of the midshipman, by |
bringing the principals together-was
Graham's only chance.
'For many reasons, then, was low |
spirited that morning. Our ride was as
solemn as funoral procession.
''Cuthbert and his friends had just |
reached the grounds when we arrived.
mo time was lost in making ready.
Graham's second lost the toss for position,
OF course. Even yet the thought of that
but my opinion Of Morrow, beyond ques-
tion tho most addle pated Of imbecles, is
not material to the narrative. He lost tho
toss. That much is relevant. / never lost
the toss in my life. Never!
"One-two''-
"Thcn IA very irregular and somewhat
dramatic thing happened. Graham raised
his left hand, meaning that a halt must
be made for some reason. Was 1t, could 1t
be cowardice. Was he afraid to be shot
att In an instant knew better, because !
knew him SO well, but the others didn't.
'"Jim, he said, without moving from
his tracks, come here a second
'sCuthbert and Milan bowed their con-
sent
II went to Graham's side. In a per-
fectly steady voice he asked for piece Of
paper. AS tore page from Il small note
book he put his pistol carefully under his
left arm and drew pencil from his pock-
Ct He scribbled few words and then
folded the paper
".Keep that, he said to me-
II drew aside, thinking less about this
singular interruption than about Ora
hams manner There was absolutely no
trace Of falterng. His face was firm. But
something In his very deliberation and
GOODNESS was wrong-a Stiffness q sort OF
paralysis that could not be defined. His
movements had mechanical, all auto
matte appearance.
~ ann very sorry to have been obliged
to interrupt said Graham quietly. i
am quite ready now. You had counted
two
'Thrce--nrel'
my friend drew his hand to his breast
at tho report OF Cuthbcrt's pistol and
came near falling. He steadied himself
grandly and fired without aim at random.
Then he fell.
II cut open his shirt and saw at once
that the wound was very serious-not
necessarily fatal SO far as a superficial
examination showed, but with the chances
against recovery.
"'Youd better get over the line, said
to Cuthbert. He Is likely to die.
"Graham revived a bit and tried to whis-
per my name.
"Brusqueness Is Characteristic Of mine
Frankness Is another. On this exception
al occasion wns reasonably smooth spo-
ken, and / lied to my patient told
him he was In no real danger
"'Cuthbertf' " he questioned In barely
audible tone as leaned over him.