The San Francisco call., 1896-03-22

scoundrel. In few days what he had
said reached the rejected lover. He at once
wrote Mordecai note, in which he told
that he was the author of the poem. but
that he had not intended it to reflect In an
unpleasant way on Miss Triplet, and he
demanded an apology. No apology was
sent. A few days later, when the men
met In the clubhouse, the rejected lover
brought up the question again with this
result-he was knocked down and so badly
hit that he was confined to his room for
several days.. Common rumor-for you
may be sure that there was much gossip
said that the mother of the rejected one
told him that if be could find no one else
to carry his challenge to Mr.. Mordecai,
she would. But there was no trouble
about a messenger. The duel was ar
ranged. At the first shot both men missed.
Each was asked if he wished another shot.
Each said, Yes At the second shot
both men fell, the rejected one with ball
in his hip and Mr.. Mordecai with ball in
his stomach. They were taken to their
homes, and few days after the duel Mary
Triplet's defender died. There was some
sort of trial, and the rejected one was
fined small sum of money and allowed to
go free. l think this is the last case of a
duel being fought for beauty, but, as
tell you, my dear, We have no beauties
nowadays.
"Now, colonel, tell me all you know about
the lucky months" And he said: 'sMv old
nanny always told me that a girl born in
January would be prudent housewife,
given to melancholy, but good tempered.
She who appeared in February would be
humane and affectionate wife and tender
mother. She OF March a frivolous chat
terbox, somewhat given to Quarreling.
That the lady born in April would be in
constant, not very intelligent, but likely to
De good looking. She who comes in Nav
Will be handsome, amiable and certain to
achleve happiness. The lady of June
would be lmpetuous, frivolous, but likely
TO marry early. The lady of July, only
passaDly handsome and with decidedly
sulky temper. She of August, amiable
practical and certain to marry rich. OF
September, discreet, affable, and much
liked. The lady of October-Is that your
birthday would be pretty, coquettish,
suffer much unhappiness in her early
youth, but possess much glory Novem-
ber's lady would be liberal, kind, but in
dlscreet, while the December days would
bring lady we'll proportional, fond of
novelty and extravagant.'
THANK you. colonel,n said I; 81 was
born in Septem ber"
Then we both laughed, and I added,
We'll. know some things. l know that
II the palm of your hand itches you are
going to get money if 1t is in the left, and
going to shake hands with stranger if it
IS the right. If your nose itches you are
going TO meet fool or kiss stranger.
1t you walk under ladder the gen
tleman in black, commonly known as
Satan, will be waiting on the other side
for you. If yoE dream of whole horse
there is going to be death in the family.
Ii you meet yellow dog, you are going to
get aietter."
But" said the colonel. ''you don't be-
lieve in these things, do you?'
nodded like Chinese mandarin, and
answered, well. not altogether, but
sti,p'-
''But, still, said the colonel, 81 carry
horse chestnut in my pocket to cure me Of
the rheumatism" BAB.