El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-02-03

he grew. Things rocked along. how
ever, without trouble until one night
l captured the young lady in a concert
hall ind secured the privilege of es-
corting her home. AS we came out of
the door my Dutchman was standing
with party of stuC ents on the curb.
He turned to THIN. and laughing.
made some offensive remarks. 1t was
an insult that simply couldn't ignore.
| carried my Oh arge home, and hurried
back. The Dutchman was gone, but
my blood was up, ard 1 began a search
for him. Finally found him in beer
gs rden laughing and joking with his
companions about the affair. By that
time NY passion was cooled, and my
courage almost gone, but took fresh
grip on the remn Mt that remained,
and marched without falter, think
straight up to him.
"You Dlankety-b b, ank-blank-blaDk
ETY. blank 1 said, in picturesque
M xture of German, French and good
old English.
He merely smiled at me. But the
smile was diabolical.
II started in again:
"'YOu sheepshead! l began in Ger
man.
That made him ferocious; 1 don't
know why, but that term is considered
the most insulting III the vocabulary of
the Faderland.
"He pulled a card from his pocket
| and flung it on the table to me, with
all the heatrical style of the old world.
Then be turned and walked away.
ga duel-and with that butcher! NV
cheeks paled, l know.
''lf l decline-dsgrace If 1 accepted
death.
"Gentlemen, have any of You ever
been in such a predicament?
"Wel1, picked the card up mechan-
ically, and followed the Dutchman
out. 1 had that day cen him at sword
play with another student. The m M
blade danced in my brain like light
ming flashes. He had shown the skill
of Jean Louis himself, and the agility
and strength of a tiger. And he
| was q merciless man, What was 1 to
do?
81 didn't know, but by the time 1
| re ached home l hs d formed a plan of
battle.
Shortly after breakfast next morn
ing, there came q fierce rap on my
chamber door, Instinct told me it was
an emissary from my Dutchman. I was
ready!
| Gomez crie7.
| "Sure enough, fellow I knew to be
on very intimate terms with the big
HOliander entered. l saw smile on
his face when the door was opening.
But when he caught sight of me, hor-
rOr usurped its place, and he started
back sep
"'Good day!' said cordially. sit
down! sit down! Glad to see you. Oh
this pist to have to kill
did like it. Pra ticing little to get
my hand in
CAL the while was lightly taking
aim at this obj ct and that about the
room.
"'Haven't shown it since I left Tex.
as; good weapon, you bet-six men in
six Shots
sc Mani broke in my visitor, as
soon as he could ever catch his breath
are you one of those Texaus?'
| Il nodded mOdest'y. Then 1 thrust
the old weapon-a 2-foot. terrble-look
ing, harmless old Colts that hadn't
been fred since the war-into nv peck
ct, CT as much as would get in, an6
seated myself be ,ide him.
"He turned timidly to me- g
represent Herr - he said, apollo
g tically.
"'Oh, has he chosen you for his sec
ond?'
"' Yes, sir. You insnlted him, hi
claims. and he wants satisfaction. II
his behalf l select swords
"You do. eb? Don't you know
IenOugh to know that I have tn,
che ice of weapons-and CHOOSE
/ tols.
81 dwelt fondly on the last tire,
words and patted the handle of the OLE
Colts as [ uttered them GraciOu
goodness, but how that second eyet
me. oubtedly he saw before hin
one Of Bret Harte's sprightly borde
iesperadoes light-hearted man. Vi,
! shot with ut caring or thinking, an,
never missed.
HE soon took his departure an,
, as he descended the steps l resume,
ny fake practicipg, whistling snatche
of popular songs the while.