Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-10

stickfuls OF copy"
"Oh, is it you, Sampson?' said the
Colonel, whirling. "AIr. Herbert, I
want a word with you, SIR He
picked up the hook with it's attached
sheets and handed it to the printer.
GO out and get to work on that"
he said, shortly. Sampson vanished
into the workroom forthwith. "How
long have you been in this office,
Mr.. Herbert?" asked the Colonel.
About two minutes" replied Guy.
"Then you witnessed my ebullition
of wrath. sir, and l beg your par
don. All, but have devil of tenn
per! would fight at the drop of a
hat-possibly, sir, | would jar the
hand that held the hat It's nv
southern breeding, l suppose; my
southern breeding, backed by long
! years of slaughter in our late war.
am trying to outgrow my temper,
but success comes very slowly. Some
ancient philosopher said that every
! man has wolf imprisoned in his
breast. l believe that, Herbert, and
am trying to strangle my own par
tlcular wolf. 1t was the wolf that
7 hurled scorching words at that COPY
/ hook and tore it from the wall, sir:
not heever-no, no, not Keever
But" and the Colonel brought
/ his right fist down in his left palm
the wolf is going to have the up
per hand until | square accounts
with this man Dingle.,
Il wouldn't do anything rash,
| Colonel" ventured Guy.
Rash? Cad! What would Won do
J If a man struck you twice across the
face with his hat?"
"Knock him down." said Guy,
promptly.
Precisely, and that's what any
man with an ordinary temper would
do. But that would only be half
way measure with me. I presume
you noticed that 1 did not knock
Dingle DOWN."
Il did," was the dry response.
II restrained myself, held myself
in check in order that might take
a more terrible vengeance. Herbert.
am going to have Dingle's life!"
you certainly are not"
There, there! Don't try to argue
with me, for it is useless, utterly
useless. l have made up my mind.
Let me assure you that / am no
stranger to the field of honor. At
one time, sir, the code duello was
my wade mecum. l counted that day
lost, Herbert, which passed without
my calling some one out"
The Colonel pulled the brim of his
white top" hat firmly down over
his brow. In his estimation stiff
white hat was the acme of gentility,
the crown and symbol of gentle
man. A stiff white hat, moreover.
throws about its wearer a political
glamour, which was something not
to be ignored by the editor of that
justly celebrated sheet, the Concord
Blizzard. The Colonel not only pulled
down the brim Of his hat, but he but
toned the two lower buttons of his
frock coat across his capacious stom-
ach, rested one elbow on the top of
his desk and swung his cane-swung
it slowly and relentlessly. His man
ner plainly stating that threats,
prayers and entreaties would alike
be powerless to swerve him, Guy
thought best not to make another
attempt.
In little while the Colonel ceased
swinging his cane long enough to in
dictate with the point of it letter
which lay open on the top Of his
desk.
Read that, Herbert" he said; "by
CAD, you read that"
Guy cast his eyes down and read
the following:
Archibald Keever, Colonel so-called-
Sir: have been appointed committee of
one to rid this territory of your baneful
presence. You have numbered the earth too
long, and l shall be pleased to offer you a
proof Of my distinguished regard with
six-shooter at 20 PAGES, time and place to
be designated by you. My only stipulation
Is that the place selected be equidistance
from Concord and Harmony. Reply by
post. If you do not meet me, shall make
1t my pleasant duty to publicly chastise
you and denounce you as the arrant brag-
CART that you are.
ISAAC DINGLE.,
1Hd1 certainty mas a buSlneSs-like
sound" commented Guy.
The Colonel laughed tragically.
Colonel, so-callcd!'" he sneered.
by CAD, l didn't have to move west,
like Dingle, to get title 1 won
it on the field of battle, sir, splitting
my blood for my country. He asks
for an affectionate exchange of pow
der and ball and / shall give him a
heartfelt token of my esteem at the
distance specified. Herbert, 1 want
you for my second"
Guy shook his head. The cane
stopped. swinging with jerk and
hard, hard look came into the
Colonel's eyes.
do 1 understand you to say, sir.
that you will not accommodate me?"
81 don't believe in duels, Colonel. Ma
ture has endowed every gentleman
with pair of fists. If these weapons
are powerless to protect his honor, his
honor is hardly worth bothering
about"
I'M