The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-05-10
A GENTLEMAN
 COWBOY IN PARIS

short sword in Germany or the pistol in both, who picks quarrels with stran- gers for the purpose of adding one more to his list of killed. still exists and will exist as long as duellng is in fashion. During a recent trip abroad one of these cases came under my no- tee. Indeed I took an active pGtt ln it.
 was dining one evening at Paris cafe with my old friend. Ned Urner of st. Louis, when a dapper Frenchman nt neighbOrlng table suddenly seized Q wine glass and threw the contents in Ned's face. Ned jumped for the man and knocked him down, but when he arose. instead Of attacking Ned in turn, he pulled out a card and threw lt on the table. When asked what was the cause of his throwing the wine. he said that Ned had looked at him insultingly and had then turned to me and made some remark about him. or course this was a mere pre- text. He was a duelist and had select cd Ned for one of hls victims.
 Suppose. NJ. Blchot," said-that was the name on the card-"my friend declines to meet you. what thenY'
 "I will be justified in shooting him down wherever can find him."
 'Then you will be gulllotined for murder"
 He shrugged his shoulders as only Frenchman can The shrug and his expression clearly said. "The courts of France would never find me guilty in such case"
 I concluded that it was best to agree to a meeting. hoping to find some way ont Of it before it could take place. I told 2. c'chot that would act for my iriclL sd he introduced me to a cor panloa tho acted for him. In order to galn g.ac I appointed the meeting for the sccond Instead of the next day and Insisted on pistols for weapons Ned could not fence at an and was a very poor shot. After arranging ev- rrythlng Ned and went to our hotel, Ned Co sleep. for he was a happy go lucky sort Of fellow that nothing trOu. blcd: Co spend the night thinking out a plan Co head on the Frenchman.
 In the morning went to the Latin quarter. where [ found an American art student. Mark Winter. whom ! coached to help me. He was to seek out Bichot. secure an introduction, in' vite him to drink with him and tell hlm stories of the cowboys of America and their wonderful proficiency with the revolver. He was to mention his acquaintance with an American gen. tleman. then in Paris. who had lived a cowboys life. inviting Bichot to a display of his skill
 An thls Winter accomplished very happily and adroitly. A cowboy solree was arranged for the same afternoon in Winters studio. When the guests had assembled. Ned walked in. was presented Co the company, bowed to them and. pretending not to see Blchot. proceeded to select a revolver from several on a table. I saw it all through a plnhole in screen, In ;be center of which | had arranged tar get. borrowed from a shooting gallery. ! had my eye on Bichot, who the mo- mcnt he saw Ned enter the room turn ed as white as sheet afterward learned that the rapler was the duel lsts strong point. and he never used the pistol when he could help 1t. Ned was well calculated to play the part of a cowboy. was only afraid he would overdo it
 "Gentlemen." he said in bad French, "thls room is a very cramped place to display a proficiency acquired on the boundless plains of western North America. but my friend Mir. Winter has done his best. and will in turn do my best"
 As be spoke. revolver in hand. be took a few steps toward his audience, with hls back to the target then sud. denly turned and with the rapidity of lightning emptled it of It's six shots. Indeed he fired so rapidly that was barely able to keep up with him in ringing the bell. I had not been SO reckless as to permit him to fire ball cartridges, well knowing that if l did [ would be a dead man. Besides, be would have rlddled the target and thus given away the whole scheme.
 The next feature was tossing the re yolver up, catching 1t and ringing the bell without apparently taking aim. l had kept Ned practlclng this feat all the morning. but he was not proficient at catching Rnd when doing the feat for Bichot's bSlefit very nearly ruined the whole game by dropping the re yolyer. which exploded on the floor. The audience jumped. then began to look for the bullet With proper pres. ence of mind took a lead pencil from my pocket and jabbed a hole in the screen near the floor. This saved us. Ned repeated the performance, after which made my way through a door that had been purposely left open and ln walking costume entered the room. Casting my eyes over the assembly. ! rested them on NJ. Bichot.
 What does this meanr l asked sharply. "Is this a plan to murder my principal by taking him un- awaresT