The Topeka state journal., 1901-12-31
How Vincent Kaczynskf Tried
to Have Some Fun.
In the End He Found Himself
Victim of a Farce.
HE STARTED TROUBLE.
Caused Bad Feeling Between r..
II. Hodgins and A. II. Lucas.
When They Went to Shooting
He Didn't Understand.

Richard f. Hodgins and A. t. Lucas,
better known by the respective prefixes
of Dick" and Bert had a shooting
affair in the office of Vincent KaczynsEi
at Fourth and Jackson streets yester-
day afternoon No arrests were made
by the police, and neither of the men
was injured seriously or otherwise.
The affair all started from a. practical
joke instigated by Kaczynslxi. All three
OF the parties were warm friends For
a joke Kaczynski told Lucas of some
sighting remark that Hodgins was
supposed to have made of him. He then
told Hodgins that Lucas had made the
same remark about him. The joke
seemed to work only too we'll Lucas
WAS enra ged. HodginS was angered-
Kaczynski saw that his joke was work
ing even better than he expected The
men were angered beyond hope of pacl-
flying them
Hodgins was sitting in Kaczynski's
office yesterday afternoon when Lucas
entered NJ E Stoker was there too.
kaccknSEi saw that Lucas had blood in
his eye
..H-e-l-l-o, Robert" said Kaczyn-
ski. trying TO be calm.
s'HoWdy," said Lucas "HOdginS, come
here. / want to see YOU"
Il guess I'm your man." replied
Hodgins with a sullen look
Boys boys cried Kaczynski
did you say that of me?'' asked
Hcdgins and Lucas both at the same
time
Both men let their hands fall to their
pistol pockets.
stop, stop walled Kaczynsli
Il didn't" said both men at the same
time
Help. help yelled Kaczynski.
ssYour a -.'' cried .Hodgins and
Lucas at each other simultaneously.
They drew their revolvers.
For heavens sake, quit, stop" cried
the frantic Kaczynski who saw that his
[clrk f-cd nhcl n fa1-fff ff.11 inf
For an answer Lucas big revolver
went off with a bang!!! The bullet
Srhizzed between Kaczynski's arm and
his body-he supposed He was stand
ing between the two men trying to pac-
ffy them
Booml.. went Hodgin's big As cahbre
shooting iron with noise enough for a
cannon
Kaczynslzi's hair was on end. Before
another shot could be fired he went
over the desk counter head first Sto-
ker was there before him.
Zipi went another bullet OUCH
yelled Kaczynski for he thought ir
came right through the front of the
counter.
Bangi went Hodgins' revolver Stoker
was white with fear Kaczynsd could
not have spelled his name to save his
life
stop it, It's all a jokei You'll kill
each other,'' moaned Kaczynski.
Booml went Lucas Swamp Angel
StOker and Kaczynsd were on the
H.
Then bangi bOOmi bangi boOmi went
the two revolvers in turn until twelve
shots had been fired The room was
filled with smoke Hodgins and Lucas
had been standing within five feet of
each other Neither was wounded Sc
-iously enough to cause him to fall
Kaczynski peeped over the counter.
The firing had ceased. Both sides were
Sation of hoStilitieS. Through the
smoke of battle Kaezynski could see the
two dueliStS standing firm Not a DIT
nervous was either of the men. Through
HDdg1nS could see the white face of
Kaczynsld peeping over the counter like
a white light in a dense fog.
Lucas stepped toward Hodgins- Hodg-
tnS advanced toward his adversary.
There was a. look Of determination in
their faces
Boys boysl no razors, no knives no
daggers in thisI'' yelled Kaczynsd-
There must be no more of thisl"
Hodgins' left hand went toward his
Inside pocket Lucas left hand went
their knives, thought Kaczynslxi- Their
right hands shot out Their hands met
They clasped- Kaczynski stood in
amusement spellbound, not able to
move 1t was going to be a catch as
catch can affair to the finish
Brother" exclaimed Hodgins-
Brother said Lucas
Our honor is avenged" said HodginS |
I'VE are heroes said Lucas
Then it was that Kaczynski discov- |
cred for the first time that his prac- |
Eical joke on Lucas and Hodgins had |
been turned into a joke on him. Tne |
men were not mad at each other The |
revolvers were loaded with blank cart |
ridges There had been no danger Oh /
biocdshed- But Kaezynski had not |
known that He thought it was all in \
earnest he was SO weak from the try |
ing ordeal and excitement that he had |
been through that he had to be given /
$obasco sauce to resuscitate him He /
doesn't like to hear of it. Neither does /
Milt Stoker, who in his excitement be-
hind the counter tore kaczynski's coat |
pocket off his coat It was a. bloodless
battle and no need for police inter !
ference