The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-08
A COWARD?

''TO resume the subject we were discuss
ing at the table" he began, 'flet me give
you an instance that came across my no.
tice some years ago.
at wasn't the first affair Of honor that
had to do with in one way or another,
but not even the first unnerved me like
this did.
"NIy friend, Paul Graham, was a young
lawyer. We had played together in in
fancy, and we were chums at college. We
spent our vacations together shooting and
fishing.
More than once I had heard him de-
Glare that in his opinion dueling was NOR
'' Would you refuse challenger
- I shall never send one he answered,
'and it would be coWardice in me to &C.
eept one
81 But
% I have not answered the question, you
are about to object. I cannot answer it in
q word. If ever accept a challenge, it
will be for the simple reason that am
afraid of what people would think and
say
"Au this remem bered when the affair
with William Cuthbert came up. Graham
sent for me. I knew he would. There
was little to say except that Cuthberts
friend, Milan, had called upon him,
Graham, that afternoon.
VIII you carry my answerp he said.
1T did look cold blooded. This man
was-well he was sacrificing himself.
Cuthbert was a crack shot and had killed
his man. Graham was a miserably poor
shot and novice.
"Win you carry my answer?'
g On condition that you consent to my
arrangements as to the distance, and that
you promise me upon your honor as gen
tleman to shoot to kill
90 do as you please
a. Good. Well, thank Commodore De-
catur for the suggestion and make the
most of it. And promise me that you will
kill him if you can
He shook his head.
You know what I believe. I shall
not try to hit him in any event. If killed
him, it would be murder
g Idiot, and what would it be If he
killed you?'
50 Murder
"Of course refused to have anything
TO do with the matter. In fact, came
near going to Cuthbert to explain the sit
uatiOn fully, in gross violation of conf
dence. I didn't know what to do, and
finally did nothing but lose some sleep
over it 1 even refused to go as surgeon,
but consented reluctantly when Graham
insisted.
His second was an ass named Morrow
"a consummate asst He agreed to ten
PAGES, when he might have known that
Cuthbert's being disconcerted-as the
British officer " as by Decatur's arrange
ment, in behalf of the midshipman, by
bringing the principals tOgether-was
Grahan's only chance.
For many reasons, then, was low
spirited that morning. Our ride was as
solemn as a funeral procession.
"Cuthbert and his friends had just
reached the grounds when we arrived.
mo time was lost in making ready.
Graham 8 second lost the toss for position,
of course. Even yet the thought of that
but my opinion of Morrow, beyond ques-
ton the most addle pated of imbeciles, is
not material to the narrative. He lost the
toss. That much is relevant. I never lost
the toss in my life. Neverl
"One-two''-
'Then a very irregular and somewhat
dramatic thing happened. Graham raised
his left hand, meaning that a halt must
be made for some reason. Was it, could it
be cowardice2 Was he afraid to be shot
at9 In an instant knew better, because
knew him so well, but the others didn't.
s. JiIn,' he said, without moving from
his tracks, come here a second
"Cuthbert and Milan bowed their con-
sent
81 went to Graham's side. In perfect
" steady voice he asked for a piece of pa
per As I tore a page from a small note
book he put his pistol carefully under his
left arm and drew a pencil from his peck
ct. He scribbled a few words and then
folded the paper.
81 Keep that, he said to me.
81 drew aside, thinking less about this
singular Interruption than about Graham's
manner. There was absolutely no trace
of faltering. His face was firm. But
something in his very elaboration and
GOODNESS was wrong-a stiffness, a sort of
paralysis that could not be defined His
movements had a mechanical, an auto
matte appearance.
81 I am very sorry to have been obliged
to interrupt, said Graham quietly. y am
quite ready now. You had counted two
g 'Three-firel'
my friend drew his hand to his breast
at the report of Cuthber pistol and came
near falling. He steadied himself grandly
and fired without aim at random. Then
he fell.
Il cut open his shirt and saw at once
that the wound was very serious-not nee
essarily fatal, SO far as a superficial exam
nation showed, but with the chances
against recovery.
You'd better get over the line, said
to Cuthbert. He is likely to die
Graham revived a bit and tried to
whisper my name.
"Brusqueness is a characteristic of mine.
Frankness is another. On this exceptional
occasion was reasonably smooth spoken,
and lied to my patient told him he
was in no real danger.
CuthbertY he questioned in a barely
audible tone as I leaned over him.
g Why, said I, there he is
81 Is he hurt?'
Ono. Can't you see him right over
my shoulder.
III was afraid might-might
have hit him.
Then, for the first time, I looked close
" into Graham s eyes. They were blank,
sightless. 1 remem bered the case of his
father remarkable from professional
standpoint, who was suddenly stricken
with blindness. This had happened to the
VrouOded mon