The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1904-02-12
AN EVEN CHANCE
With DEATH
(Original. ]

afler the SURRENDER Oh SantidSo. tcic-
brating the results of the campaign.
During the evening h reSimental sur
gcon. Major Norris. deliberately insult
ed Il young lieutenant. Bertram, who
was sitting opposite him nj table. Ber-
tram was surrounded by Il number OF
junior officers. Norris by several sur
geons who happened To he o n duty at
Havana ut the time and who had been
invited to participate in the festivities.
Norris accused Bcrtram of co%wardice
before Santiago. Since BertraIu bore
I'm uncxc,ptionable record his comlan-
ions were astOuiShcd at the doctors
charge. Bertram left the stable and
seut one of them TO demand a retrac-
ton Ii was refused, and he sen Il
challenge. The doctor agreed TO give
satisfaction. but as the challenged par
~ demanded the privilege of choosing
the method of the contest. lie declared
that his method would involve certain
~ the death OF one of the antagonists
aud stipulated that Bcrtram should
sign an agreement Before knowing of
the tcrIns To accept them. This Der
NbS pDilS'h W az ~ 10 w
der the ban of Cowlrdicc. Wl"n the
preliminaricS were completed and the
paper was signed Norris mndc known
his way of fighting. Two pellets. the
one harmless. the other containing. prus-
sic acid in co|nccntrai,l forum. wouldNlr
placed in il cup. The principals should
each draw and swallow u pellet.
Some of Bcrtram's brother officers
begged him 10 refuse 10 fight on the
terms on ccouu of their urmilitary
character. but he suffered 50 severely
undrr the surgeons aSIersions that le
declared he wuuld rather run one
chance in two of death than live under
Obloquy. lie fulfilled Ills agreement.
and after the dinner was over Il party
of officers, including all the surgeons
who had sat together at table. the W
principals and 1--WE of lirrtram'S con
pHny, assembled in :: room above where
the banquet had been held. ready for
the duel
Norris chose one OF the surgeons and
Rrrtram another To prepare the pellets.
both AGREEING that lle major of the
regiment act rs supervising umpire.
The three retired To an adjoining room.
where they were zone II long while.
There was evidently II want of har-
mony among them. aud the majors
voice could he heard raised in protest.
the words "crrtIin death being dis
tinctly audible. While this was going
on Surgeon Norris sat cOUlly reading Il
medical journal. Iicrtram thinking OF
that t,rrfIt. nN-nV .l,10sn lA.t Ntasn iifa
aud death. The consequence was that
when nj the end of an hour the men
returned from the other room Bcrtram
was very ncrvouS
Gentlemen, are you ready? 2" asked
the major. who held the cup.
Both replied in the affirmative.
''1hiS cup continued ia" ma ior.
contains the pellets. rs agreed upon.
The surgeons who have prepared tlprm
have surrounded the fara, one with
w~intcrGrcen."
III" held the cup FIRST 10 Norris rs the
ranking officer. who chose . pellet and
swallowed it. Bertram. whose hand
tremhird. did the sam" with the re-
manning pellet.
Presently Norris said
'RcrtrIm. I commiSrrntc you. !
cracked my pellet with my lco;E. and
yet I taste nothing"
At the same moment Bcrtram went
deadly pale. The outer coating of his
pellet had been dissolved. ~ there
was Il strong flavor Of wintcrgrrrn.
IF you have anything TO say" sail
one of the surgeons. Il should advise
49,. =. -.. =, -.s-t-I. nj H. 1900.
know. acts instantly. aud We have al
lowed only ten minutes for its Enclosure
to be- dissolved"
H'rtram was standing when he took
the pellet. but now the certainty uf
death weakened his knees. aud lac sank
back ON II lounge. Ouc of those present
brought him writing materials with
which to write II Last message. lie TOOK
the pen. but was unable to write. Ncv
rrtllelrss his pluck was good lit works
quickly lie said. with some coolues,.
''The nerves of my fingers are already
powerlcss."
"Spea6 what you have TO say" said
one of the surgeons. Your tongue will
soon he p%aralyzed."
Rertram spoke a few words. then
found il impossible to a%rticulaie fur
Their. lie sank lower on the sofa and
closed his eyes. The surgeon whom lie
bad chosen Ia prepare the God OF death
went To him aud felt of his heart.
"The whisky. quick he shouted.
Great heavens. I'm afraid he's gone
Whisky had been kept AT hand. and
half u tumblrr was poured down the
l~icIttcuant'S throat.
II say. Eertram." cried the z
'you are mistaken, You hive not swal-
lowed poison
Hcrtram slowly opened his eyes and
looked wildly about him.
This is not n duel" COT 'inucd the
surgeon III is n medical experiment
10 test If n man may br killed 10y the
imagination. The pellets were both
made of bread"
Wake up. Bcrtram.' said Norris. 60
ing to him and taking his hand. You're
~ brave as u lion. I put this M on yon
| ~ ...t.sF,,un ,,.- -s.,.V- IL. a. 81