The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-08-07
A COMEDY IN TWO ACTS.
BEING Faithful Relation of the Adventures Of
Three Young Men.

Act I. The Combat.
1.-THE combat deepens, on We brave
Who rush to glory or the grave"
For sometime bad feeling has existed
between Mr.. Roderick M. Watts, a clerk
at Kings drug store, and Mr.. E. G. Hor-
ton, a grocer Newbern avenue. Re-
Gently the ill-feeling has from time to
time been intensified until Monday the in
evitable crisis was reached; and it all
came about in the usual way:
AS the, curtain rises somebody is dis
covered telling Watts that Horton told
them that he (Hortop) had been informed
that Watts had said something unbecom-
ing about lady in whom both Watts and
Horton were interested.
Watts asked Horton over the telephone
if the report was true. Horton said it
was. Watts demanded the author of the
report Horton declined name him. Watts
then charged the authorship of it upon
Horton. Horton replied in lurid language.
Watts threatened in equally vivid English
to "see" Horton sand "settle it,
Thus ended the first scene. amid the
faring of red, white and blue lights.
When the curtain next goes up again it
is night The clouds hang low and heavy
and the wind signs like a lover Watts
is leaving his place of business. Enter
Laurie c. Nichols and Tom p. Lumsden.
They meet Watts on the street; he in
forms them that he is going to lick a
man." and invites them to go along"
and witness the performance. They accept
the invitation gladly and together they
proceed to the intersection OF Jones and
Boodworth streets, for here Horton must
pass on his way home from his store
and he is the man to be clicked"
AS the second scene ends the rain is
falling in dreary drizzle and umbrellas
are raised. The three young men are
waiting.
At 8:45 by the town clock the curtain
was again rung up. The darkness has in
creased and a dog howls in the distance
Horton is on his way home. Watts meets
him, pushes aside his umbrella and
strikes him in the face. Other blows
follow. Watts is thrown into the gutter
Horton on him. Enter Nichols, who pulls
Horton off of Watts. Horton rises. Enter
Lumsden-and accounts vary as to just
what part he played. Horton says it was
that OF a thug with brass knucks, and IN
confederation showed a cash on his face
Iumsden says it was the blessed part OF
the peace maker that he assisted il
parting the combatants. In this declara-
zion he was corroborated. by both Watt.
aud Nichols.
AT any rate, after the parting, accord
ing TO the testimony of all concerned
watts was allowed to land several dam
aging blows. and on the trial before the
n,avor Yesterday afternoon Horizons eye:
were blood shot and his face looked like
a hive of bees had stung it.
The curtain went down amid SLOW
music with Watts desire for vengeance
satyated, and Horton vending MS wa!
homeward, bruised and bleeding.
Act III. The Trial.
"This even handed justice"
The first scene of act second opens al
tie residence of Magistrate Barbee, OF
Wilmington street 1t is ten O'Clock a
night. The threA young men arrive II
carriage and express desire ITO nave
j. settled" so as ito avoid publicity.
1t is quickly arranged One OF then
1-umsden) swears out a warrant agalns
the other (Watts). Then Lumsden ant
Nichols testify, Watts being the defend
ant. Upon this evidence the magistrate
gravely makes up the usual verdict in G,