The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1904-12-03
AN EVEN CHANCE
WITH DEATH

The Spanish American war developed
valuable scientific facts.
The officers of one Of the volunteer
regiments We're RECALLING themselves In
Havana, where the command was sent
after the surrender of Santiago. ceie-
brating the results Of the campaign.
During the evening the regimental sur
ston, Major Norris. deliberately Insult
cd a young lieutenant, Bertram, who
WIS sitting opposite him at table. Ber-
tram was surrounded by d number Of
Junior officers, Norris by several sur
grons who happened to be on duty at
Havana at tine time and who had been
invited to participate in the festivities.
Norris accused Bertram of cowardice
before Santiago. Since Bertram bore
an uncxceptionable record his compan-
Ions were astonished ut the doctors
charge, Bcrtram left the table and
sent one Of them to demand q retrac-
ton 1t was refused, and he sent IL
thallenee. The doctor agreed to give
satisfaction. but MS the challenged par
ty demanded the privilege OF choosing
the method of the contest. He declared
that his method would Involve certain
iy the death OF one Of the antagonists
aud stipulated that Bertram should
sign an agreement before knowing of
the terms to accept them. This Bpr-
tram was Obliged TO do or remain un-
der the ban of cowardice. When the
preIinlinarirs were completed and the
paper was signed Norris made known
his way OF fighting. Two pellets. the
one harmless, the other containing prus-
sic acid in concentrntrd form, would II"
placed in Il cIIp. The principals should
each draw and swallow Il pellet.
Some of lSertram's brother officers
begged him to refuse tn fight on the
terms on account of their unmilitary
character, but he suffered so severely
under the surgeons asperSions that lie
declared he would rather run II
chance In two of death than live under
obl0,Iy. lie fulfilled his agreement,
and after the dinner WAS owe a party
OF officers, including all the surgeons
who had sat together ut table. the two
principals and two OF Bcrtram's com
pany. assembled in 4 room above where
| the banquet had been held, ready for
the dIcl
Norris chose one OF the and
Icrtram another 10 prepare the pellets,
both agreeing that the major OF tue
regiment act as supervising umpire.
The three retired TO an adjoining room,
where they were gone "A long While.
There wnS evidently Il want Of har-
nlony anon them. and the majors
voice could he heard raised In protest,
the words certain death" being dis
tinctly audible. While this was going
on Surgeon Norris sat cOOily reading Il
medical journal, l;ertram thinking OF
that terrible even chance between life
aud death. The consequence was that
when at tho end of an hour the men
returned from the other room Bertram
was very nervous
Gentlemen. are you ready?" asked
the major. who held the cup.
Both replied in the affirmative.
This cup" continued the major.
contains the pellets, "a agreed upon.
The surgeons who hav" prepared them
have surrounded the fatal one with
wintergreen."
A. tF'A u u' 'AhSi w u no Wv
ranking officer. who chose d pellet and
swallowed it. Rertram. whose hand
tremhIrd. did the sam" with tho re-
mining pellet.
Presently Norris said:
"Rrrtram, I cominiSprnto you. |
cracked my pellet with my teeth. and
yet | taste nothing"
AT the same moment BertraQl went
deadly pale. The outer coatinG OF his
pellet had been dissolved. and there
was Il strong flavor OF win:ergrcen.
If you have anything 10 say" said
one OF the surgeons. Il should advise
You TO say it quickly. The drag. you
know, acts instantly. and we have al
lowed only ten minutes for its Enclosure
to be dissolved"
Rertram was standing when he took
the pellet. hut now the certainty of
death weakened his knees. and he sank
back IN n lounge. One OF those present
brought him writing materials with
which TO write Il last message. He took
the pen. but was unable TO write. New
ertllelrss his pluck was good. 1T works
quickly he said, with some GOODNESS.
F." - - VI my hASCt9 " aIaNHty
powerlcsS."
Speak what you have to say" said
one Of the surgeons. Your tongue will
soon be paralyzed."
Isertram spoke a few words. then
found it impossible to articulatc fur
Their. He sank lower on the sofa and
closed his eyes. The surgeon whom he
had chosen 10 prepare the food of death
went to him and felt of his heart.
The whisky, quick" he shouted.
Great heavens. I'm afraid he's gomez
Whisky had been kept at hand. and
half a tnmbler WAC poured down the
~lieIitenant.s throat
Il say. Bertram." cried the surgeon.
you are mistaken! You have not swal-
lowed poison
Bertram slowly opened his eyes and
looked wildly about him.
s"ThfS Ia NOT q duol" continued fho