The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-01-06

German to duel with pistols. The
baron. who was unable to explain to his
own satisfaction how he had been cap
tivated 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 very close shave.
Should the Englishman insist on. the
duel there was no doubt as to the re-
suit. He thought the matter over very
carefully, and was suddenly filled with
great concern as to the effect which
his death would have upon his widowed
mother. and, being desirous above all
things of sparing her, he persuaded two
Cf his friends, who happened to be in
Homburg at the time, to seek out and
try to pacify the offended husband.
Mr.. Parker received the gentlemen
with all the polished politeness of a
Ian of the world. q
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Parker, cold
ly. 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 to be said"
"You are right. sir" replied the elder
of the two ambassadors, "but we have
come trusting to your tenderness of
heart, and we are sure you will not be
able to turn 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 if 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
to Mr.. Parker that the baron was the
last male representative of his line, the
last OF famous house, and that the
iumor, even. of the approaching duel
might cause the mothers death.
Mr.. Parker listened with quiet dig
nifty. and when the gentleman closed
with a 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:
Il will not have the death of the
mother on my conscience; just give me
time to think of some way out of this.
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 to 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
I said TO you yesterday, will not be
guilty of dspriving the mother of her
son, and 7 do not think that in Hon.
burg there could be two opinions as to
what would be the outcome of the duel
which was to have taken place between
the baron and me. l withdraw the
In return for this expect
the baron to pay over to my orphans
such sum as he may himself deter
mine. At the same time / take it for
granted that he values his young life
at, at least $1,000. Will you have the
goodness to make this known to the
baron?
"Finsliy, gentlemen, must lay par
ticular stress on the fact that, as I
leave Homburg tomorrow morning.
shall have to lay upon you the condi-
ton, as men of honor, to clear up any
misunderstanding which may arise az
to the cause of my having backed out
Of the duel. trust to your fairness to
justify me wherever and whenever you
shall find it necessary or advisable"
On the following day Mr.. Parker re-
ceived from the baron letter Of regret
and apology. and check for 1900.
The promise was also made to send
more as soon as the writer should be in
a position to do so. The 200 sent
was all that he had in hand at that mo-
ment.
Mr.. and Mrs. Parker at once left
Homburg, and on the following day a
new scandal occupied the minds and
wagged the tongues of the visitors
The baron. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say. speedily quilted Homburg, as he
had no wish to keep alive the story of
his misfortune and of Mr.. Parker's
magnanimity. He succeeded, strange
as it may seem. in hiding all knowledge
Of the affair from his mother. The
e 1900 with which he had bought his
life was pretty nearly the amount he
had won at the gambling table.
He did not forget bis promise to Mr..
Parker, and a few years later. when he
came into possession of his estates. he
sent a check for 6 300 to the trustees,
of Hamarby, York. Strange
10 say. the letter came back unopened,
but the envelope was covered with notes
which gave the following information:
The so-called Parker orphanage at
Hamarby had formerly consisted of a
hovel inhabited by an
old woman and a cripple, but at the
time of writing nothing but the ruins
remained. Parker, who was a WELL
known swindler, had. two years previ-
ously, escaped arrest by fight. With
him had fed his beloved Mary Cowen,
his accomplice.
Six years after the Homburg incident
happened to drop into circus In the
fair at Lutritz. At the beginning of the
second turn tall, well-built man. got
up as Tyrolese peasant with rifieov
his shoulder. came out, followed by
woman who, although no longer young.
had magnificent figure. She acted as
page. and carried case of elegant pis-
lois. She held piece of paper in her
hand while the Tyrolese aimed at 1t.
Then she Put pipe between her lips,
and tine artist shot the pipe away. The