The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-17

baron, who was unable 10 explain TO his
own satisfaction how he had been cap
Lyated by the graces Of Mrs. Parker.
found himself in lamentable guam
dairy. A challenge from Mr.. Parker he
well knew was equivalent TO a death
sentence, or at least a very close shave.
Should the Englishman insist on the
duel there was no doubt as 10 the re-
suit. He thought the matter over very
carefully, and was suddenly filled with
great concern as 10 the effect which
his death would have upon his widowed
mother, and, being DESTROYS above all
things Of sparing her. he persuaded two
cf his friends. who happened 10 be in
liomburg at the time. TO seek out and
try 10 pacify the offended husband.
Mr.. Parker received the gentlemen
with all the polished politeness of a
han OF the world.
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Parker. cold
~. in French, 81 really fail to under
stand the object OF your visit Surely
the details of this matter have been
discussed at sufficient length. Nothing
more remains 10 be said"
You are right, SIR" replied the elder
OF the two ambassadors, but we have
come trusting 10 your tenderness of
heart, and we are sure you will not be
able to turn a deaf ear TO our plea. We
have come TO appeal TO you. not on be-
half OF the baron, but for the sake of his
mother. TO whom he is all in all. and
who will certainly die of grief IL any
thing happens TO her ideal. We ask you
TO agree to other terms. Would you poi
son and curtail the life Of weak wom-
an? Think OF your own mother"
Then the speaker explained at length
70 Mr.. Parker that the baron was the
last male representative of his line, the
last of famous house, and that the
lumor, even, Of the approaching duel
might cause the mothers death.
Mr.. Parker listened with quiet dig
nifty, and when the gentleman closed
with warm appeal to his goodness Of
heart, the Englishman rose, and with
out losing any of his dignity, or relax
ing his severity OF expression, said:
81 will not have the death of the
mother on my conscience; just give me
| -.
/ will write to you tomorrow"
The two callers took leave, after hav-
ing overwhelmed Mr. Parker with
words Of gratitude for his magnanim-
ity. Their thanks seemed 10 embarrass
him, for as he held out his hand his eyes
modestly sought the floor
Next morning the gentlemen received
the following letter:
"Dear Sirs-
You appealed TO my sympathy. AS
/ said TO you yesterday, / will not be
guilty of dspriving the mother OF her
son. and j do not think that in Hem.
burg there could be two opinions as TO
what would be the outcome OF the ouel
which was 10 have taken place between
the baron and me. ! withdraw the
challenge. In return for this expect
the baron 10 pay over TO my orphans
such sum as he may himself deter
mine. AT the same time | take IL for
granted that he values his young life
at. at least & coo. VIII you have tho
goodness TO make this known to the
baron?
"Finolly, gentlemen, ! must lay par
ticular stress on the fact that, as |
leave Homburg tomorrow morning, |
shall have TO lay upon you the condi-
ton, MS men OF honor, TO clear up any
Misunderstanding which may arise as
TO the cause OF my having backed out
OF the due. | trust 10 your fairness 10
Justify me wherever and whenever you
shall find ii necessary or advisable"
On the following day Mr.. Parker re-
ccived from the baron a letter Of regret
and apology, and a check for & LOO.
The promise was also made 10 send
more ms soon as the writer should be in
position 60 do So The 1000 sent
was all that he had in hand at that mo-
mcnt.
Mr.. and Mrs. Parker az once left
Homburg and on the following day a
new scandal occupied the minds and
waggcd the tongues of the visitors.
The baron, il is scarcely necessary to
say, speedily quilted IIomburg. MS he
had no wish TO keep alive the story OF
his misfortune and OF Mr. Parker's
magnanimity. He succeeded, strange
OF the affair from his mother The
Z 200 with which he had bought his
life was pretty nearly the amount he
had won AZ the gambling table.
lie lid not forget lis promise TO Mr..
Parker, and few years later, when he
came into possession Of his estates. he
sent a check for c300 TO the trustees,
orphanagc Of IIamarby, York. Strange
TO say, the letter came back unopened,
but the envelope was covered with notes
which gave the following information;
The so-called Parker orphanage Mt
IIamaroy had formerly consisted Of n
tumbled-down hoyel Inhabited by an
old woman and a cripple. but nt the
time Of writing nothing but the ruins
remained. Parker. who was n we'll
known swinGlcr. had. two years prcyi-
ously. escaped arrest by fight. With
him had fed his beloved Mary Cowrn,
his accomplish.