The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-08-18
THE PEACEMAKER
A Little Child's Pleading Prevents
n Duel Between Friends.


Henry Wallis and l had had a very
serious quarrel. He was my only
neighbor, and he, my one friend, hau
accused me of being guilty of stealing
his cattle. naturally resented the ac-
cusation and words rose high, the re-
suit being that we arranged to nght
a duel on the following morning al
daybreak.
| do not know exactly how it was,
but | could not help feeling very lone,
ly that evening. 1t was cold ana
stormy night, and the wind moaned
dismally in the trees. | thought the
moor looked terribly dark and desolate,
and | resolved to make myself as COM
Portable as possible indoors. | manag-
ed to make my wood fire burn brightly,
and | tried to compose myself to read.
l could not have been amusing my
self in this way very long, however,
before / fell asleep. l must have slept
for at least three hours, when l was
aroused by hearing a faint tapping at
the door Of my cabin.
| attributed the sounds to the wind,
and tried to sleep again. But the
knocking was repeated; there could be
no doubt about It this time, there
was some one at the door. got up to
see who it could possibly be, so late
on that stormy night, when | was sur
prised to find little girl-quite a
/ understanding there. l soon recog-
nized her; she was Mary Wallis, my
neighbours little daughter.
/ 1t was raining very fast, and the
poor child was shivering with the cold
and wet.
/ pulled the little one into the hut
and placed her in a seat near the fire.
/ took off her shawl, which was drip
ping with rain.
| How on earth did you come here at
this time of night?" / asked.
The poor child burst into tears; she
seemed very tired and i'll.
Are you going to fight father to-
morrow morning?" she asked piteous-
ly. Don't hurt him; please don't
hurt father"
| 1t was quite evident that she had
heard of the duel that was to come OFF
on the following day. and had walked
/ all the way-some 10 or IL miles-in
] the dark and wet, to beg me not to
/ hurt her father.
Mary" | said, you are not ole
enough to understand do not let Il.
/ talk about your father. Let me MAKE
you some cruel and wrap this cloak
around you"
But she was inconsolable, and she
soon returned to tho point.
Promise me you won't hurt faith
err" she said.
| Before very long there was another
knock at my cabin door. 1t seemed
that Henry Wallis had come to fetch
his daughter, for whom he had been
searching on the moor. He had been
looking for her in all directions. and
was delighted when he found her. But
he would not speak to me, and with
out either of us uttering a single word
he took her away.
! At daybreak on the following morn
ing l arose fresh and strong. quite pre-
pared to keep my engagement with
Henry Wallis. But the visit of his lit
tie daughter Mary on the previous
night had not been by any means in
vain; took the bullet out of my pistol.
Wallis might shoot me if he had the
will, but | made up my mind not to
deprive mary OF neT Iatner.
started for the place which Henry
Wallis and had agreed upon. found
him already there, waiting for me.
MY child tells me that she asked
you not to hurt me" he said, in a
husky voice; ALLOW me to examine
your pistol, so l may see if you have
loaded it,"
Taking the pistol quickly out of my
hands, he at once perceived that there
was no bullet in it.
Il cannot fight with an unarmed
man." he said.
wallis" l exclaimed, Il took care
my pistol should be unloaded because
your little daughter Mary begged me
not to hurt you; won't you shake
hands with me for her sake?"
Poor little Mary Wallis never recov-
cred from the cold which she caught
when she called or me on that dark
and stormy night. She has gone to
be with holier father.
The little peacemaker's work was
done.