Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-14
CHE Story Teller.
The UNFINISHED DUEL.

Story of a Hat With One Hole In !
and of a Picture With Two Hole
Through 1t.
Our life in the little Russian towr
where our regiment had been detail
ed was not distracting. Our one
Amusement was dining with formel
officer who lived alone in the lli.'
out of the way village and WHO l;"2
his table ready for as many Of y!
as cared to dine with him.
No one knew why he had left th'
service and no one dared to ask him
His principal occupation was pisto
shooting, and the walls Of his rooms
were riddled with holes while hi
skill in the art was so we'll knowr
that had he proposed to shoot at
near fastened on the top Of the he'll
met of one of us. we would have
permitted him without a word. Hi'
craftsmanship was perfect
One night there were ten OF III
dining with Sylvio, as will name him
for purposes of convenience, and al
drinking heavily. After dinner TIT
cards were produced and we begar
to play, with the exception OF Syl'
vio. who always refused to join US.
Presently an officer who had bu'
Ia ,ely Joined the regiment and was no
accustomed to the ways of our nos
appealed to him to settle a disputed
point AS usual, Sylvio refused te
have anything to do with 1t.
Then the young fellow, hot with
wine and excitement, and considering
himself insulted by his host, seized
heavy candelabrum which was stand
ing on the table and threw 1t at Syi'
vio. who fortunately lodged 1t
svlvio rose, pale with anger, his eyes
flashing
Leave this house. sir!" he com
manded, land thank your protecting
fate that this happened in my house.
Naturally we expected that the at
fair would end in a duel and looked
upon the young lieutenant as already
dead, but to our intense astonish'
ment Sylvio passed the matter over
with a slight explanation and nothing
more was said. Apparently he was
satisfied.
was not, however. A man VINO
would tamely submit to an insult like
that was not friend for me, ana
nromptly broke off all relation with
sylvio, although until then 1 haf
known him better, perhaps, than any
one else in the regiment.
Not long after this he came into
our rooms, an open letter In his hand
begged us to come to a farewell din
ner at his house, as he was going
away Immediately.
81 expect you, expect you wi'h'
out fall" he added, turning to me-
The next night nearly all the regi-
ment's officers were at Sylvio's house
where, except for the dining room
furniture, everything was packed
and the rooms bare. 1t was merry
dinner and a late one, but as l started
IN leave with the others Sylvio de-
tanned me, saying he wanted to speak
with me.
We sat for some time In silence
beside the empty table strewn WITT
hotties and dishes. Presently my
companion spoke.
81 do not believe we shall eVe'
meet again." he said slowly, but IN
any case 1 should be sorry to &c
away and leave you thinking that
was a coward. 1t seemed strange te
you that I did not challenge the
drunken fool who threw the Candida
brum at my head, since 1t was my
right to choose the weapons and te
fire the first shot I assure you 1 die
not spare him out Of generosity. Hae
I been able to punish him withou
risk to myself should have done So
looked at Sylvio in amazement
this was the last thing I should have
expected to hear him say.
1T is perfectly true" Sylvio con
tinued. 1T cannot risk my life now
Six years ago I received a blow and
the man who dealt it, Is still alive"
NY curiosity was growing keen.
Didn't you fight him?'
Yes" replied Sylvio, land here |:
49, n,oof of nnr dnal'
He rose and took an officers ma
from a box beside him and put 1t or
his head. There was a small hole
in the center, half an inch above hi'
forehead.
You see," he said, sitting dowr
again, II served formerly In the -
Hussars where, thanks to the natura
high spirits and a strong love Of fun
I soon became the most popular Of
ficer in the regiment. The position
pleased me and a little later, wher
I saw my authority waning, after the
advent of a singularly brilliant yount
fellow in our company. 1 prompt!,
began to hate my rival.
II must admit, however, that M
was the most fascinating man evel
saw. For a long time he remained
impervious to my efforts at a quarrel
but at last, at ball, I said something
to him that reused his anger. W.
agreed to settle the matter the mex
morning at daybreak.
II was early at the meeting place
with my seconds and as I paced W
and down in my impatience, l caugh
sight Of him calmly strolling along
eating wild cherries.
"The witnesses measured the dis
tance and we took our places AL
though it was my right to fire first
1 was so agitated that I did not fee
sure Of myself and insisted that HI
should have the first shot He refus
ed and we decided to settle 1t by
tossing up.
| Fate decided for him. He aimed
the report rang out, and the bulle
pierced my helmet as you saw.
Then it was my turn. At last
held his life in hands.
l looked at him narrowly, seeking
for some sign Of terror or fear. Hi'
indifference made me furious. HI