The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-04-23
A Water Duel
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ter Marya AleNandruYna, an attractive girl of eighteen. was sought n mar rlage by many Of the sons of the neigh. boring landed proprietOrS, but seemed Co prefer Ivan MikRhaLot. a luEty but lazy young fellow who had neyer been known to take an interest in but one thlng-the town Are department, which he had organized and drilled. becoming very expert himself in the drenChing of burning buildings,
 A battalion of troops came to the town commanded by Major NikOlai Le- yin. a middle aged man whose private fortune was large. From childhood he had been accustomed tO having his own way. He bud studied and practiced the use Or every known weapon, and when any man syood ln his way he would Insult him. challenge him and, If necessary. kill hlm. All kinds Of weap- Ons had been tried against Levin. from a Turkish Sclnitcr to a mOuDtain how tiger. and he he'd handled every one with perfect skill. He had DO sooner set eyes On Marya than be fell violent ly ln love with her. Marya, though she accepted his attentions, could not De completely won. over from her athletic suitor. Ivan. Levin at last concluded that with Ivan in the way he could never win the girl, SO he made up his mind to kin h(nl. He soon found a pre- text for considering hmselt usulted by the young mau and sent h,m a chal' lenge.
 Marya heard ot the Intended assss' slnation and was much troubled. ln her extremity she sent for focmer schoolmate. Hostis Sanln, lu whose h. genuity she placed great confidence, and asked hlm Co help her.
 Well win offer him my services, and if be accepts them | will see what can do for hlm. said Sauln.
 A few hours Inter Major Levin re- ceiyed visit from Sanin. "I am to arrange this a1air between you and my friend MiLahailOt," be said, and. since he is the challenged party, choose for him the weapons, the time and the place of meeting
 That Is your right. lt To immateriAl to me with what weapon light, and l beg you will choose that with which the young man k most skillful."
 You show maEnanlmOus spirit major. and l shall meet your wishes. The ouly weapon with which Ivan Mikahailof has any skill whatever 10 the nozzle Of a hose. therefore choose this weapon"
 If you think you can turn the ar fair lto a jest, yoB are mistaken
 "I propose DO jest. The terms are that you and your adversary are to go into an unheated room. wearing no clothing whatever. each furnished with a hose. and play upon each other till you are satisfied"
 What an abEurdityT
 Nothing of the kind. You know that the temperaure here at this season is never above zero and the water is icy cold. Neither or you wm be able to endure the torture moro than half an hour without dying a terrible death and in any event there ls great proba bllity of pneumonia settinE in after the combat"
 Sanln then named ,hc time sad place and took bis departure.
 The ms lor submitted the ease to the officers or bis battalion, who. after long delIbsrstion. decided that bf must ae- cent the terms. At the appointed time he ant hla aRtsgOnist stool stark naked in lsrge room. eS'h armed with a half Inch nOaNP. Al given signal the water was tuiucd cn by the seconds and the contest begun. Ivan had always lived m that porthen re sion. while the major had been born lu the south. Rhn was hardy. whue the major was delicate and s"nsiuVe from having led a luxurious lie. At the first stroke Of the Icy water be was shaken by e terrific chill while the sturdy Ivan. who had bathed in water as cold that vGy morning. bfaced himself against the shock and stood upright and firm co rock. Que Of the seconds stood with a watch in his hand. while the other kept hand on the water cock. At the end Of two minutes time was called and the water turned on. The principals were per mitted to move about for two minutes to recoup and break the leo forming on their bodieA when they were re oulred to take their positions, and the water was turned on At the end Of the next round Levin was shivering terribly. his skin was llvid. and his lips were blue. while his opponent had readily restored circulation. At the end of the next round the major was informed by those of his officers who were present that he might give up the unequal contest without sacrificing his honor aud he declared that he was satisfied. He Was taken Into a warm room. doscd with hot liquor. rubbed and put between blankets. NeVerthe- less he was stricken with pneumonia. from which er nearly died Ivan pol lshed himself with crash towel. put on his clothes and took brisk walk
 Kostu SaniR went to Msrya aud gave her au account of what bad oc' cured. You are now free to marry either of those men you choose. l pre- sume from your interest in Ivan that your choice will fall on him" uNo..f 10 ,yul nof fall on Ivan"