Evening journal., 1899-03-11


Hast of all, the wronged husband. He
did what any other man would have
done in his place-challenged the young
German to a duel with pistols. The
baron. who was unable TO explain to his
own satisfaction how he had been cap
uyated by the graces OF Mrs. Parker,
found himself in a lamentable guam
dairy \ challenge from Mr. Parker hc
well new was equivalent TO n c~aih
sentence, or at least a very close S, AVE.
Should the Englishman insist on ne
duel there was no doubt as to the r,-
suit. lie thought the matter over very
carefully, and was suddenly filed 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
q 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
nan Of the world. = > -
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"
"Nou 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 q deaf ear to our plea. We
Eave come TO appeal 10 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 II any
thing happens to her ideal. We ask YOU
to agree to other terms. Would you poi
son and curtail the life Of a weak WON.
an? Think OF your own mother"
Then the speaker explained at length
20 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 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
time 10 think of some way out of this
/ viii write 10 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 ] 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. / withdraw the
challenge. In return for this / expect
the baron to pay over to my orphans
such a sum as he may himself deter
mine At the same time take Il foi
granted that he values his young life
at. at least e1,OOO. WIN you have the
goodness to make this known TO the
baron?
"Finslly, gentlemen, must lay par
ticular stress on the fact that, as
leave Homburg tomorrow morning,
shall have 10 lay upon you the condi
ton, as men Of honor, TO clear up any
misunderstanding which may arise as
70 the cause Of my having backed out
Of the duel. trust 10 your fairness t'
Justify me wherever and whenever yot
shall find II necessary or advisable"
On the following day Mr.. Parker re
ceived from the baron letter Of regret
and apology, and a check for & l,2o0
The promise was also made 10 sent
more as soon as the writer should be IL
position to do so. The G 200 sepi
was all that he had In hand at that mo
ment.
Mr.. and Mrs. Parker at once lefl
Homburg. and on the following day {
new scandal occupied the minds onC
wagged the tongues Of the visitors
The baron, it is scarcely necessary t'
say. speedily quilted Homburg, as h'
had no wish TO keep alive the story o
his misfortune and of Mr.. Parker
magnanimity. He succeeded, strang'
as it may seem, in hiding all knowledge
) of the affair from his mother. Th
6 200 with which he had bought hi
life was pretty nearly the amount b
had won at the gambling table.
He did not forget his promise to MT
Parker, and a few years later, when h
came into possession of his estates. h
sent a check for $500 to the trustees
orphanage Of Hamarby, York. strang
to say, the letter came back unopened
but the envelope was covered with note
which gave the following information
The so-called Parker orphanage q
: Hamarby had formerly consisted Of
. tumbled-down hoyel inhabited by a
old woman and a cripple, but at III
time of writing nothing but the ruin
. remained. Parker, who was a wei
known swindler. had, two years prev
ously, escaped arrest by flight Wit
> him had fed his beloved Mary Cover
his accomplice.
Six years after the Homburg incideu