The daily Alaskan., 1905-10-11
A Modern Duel
IOrlglnall

COlonel's daughter. Schuler was ( close student of the germ theory and In high favor with the colonel As tt the daughter, she preferred the fight Ing arm of the service, though sht really liked Schuler. This lrrltated Wright, who called Schuler a germ eradicating soldier. Schuler retorted that he could kill more men wltf germs than a whole army could kill with ammunition. One reply led tc another till the doctor referred to ofl cers of the line as unsclentlfic butch CTS, whereupon Wright declared that he had lnsulted the service. Wright withdrew and sent Schuler a chal lenge. Since the challenger would be on duty as officer of the guard the next day, the meeting was to come of the next day but one.
 In the morning the colonel was sit ting at breakfast with hls family when the officer of the day entered.
 Colonel" he said, 'T deem It my duty to report that a challenge has passed between Lieutenant Wright and Surgeon Schuler."
 "The dickens you say. We'll sec about that. Go report them both under arrest" said the colonel.
 The officer was about to withdraw when the colonel. catching a glanco from his daughter Alma, added: "Nev- CT mind the arrest. captain. I'll send you orders during the morning"
 After breakfast father and daughter held a consultation in the library.
 Papa" said Alma, wont you let them fight? know It's all about me, and 1t would Be so nice to be fought over"
 You little goose, do you suppose I'm going to permit such breach of discipline simply to gratlfy your whlm?"
 But I'd like to see if Dr. Schuler will fight. Somehow can't think a bug hunter can have any pluck"
 "Ah. That's the rub, Is 1t? Well, I'll think It over and see If can find way to give him chance without Injury to the service. Now, run along, little girl"
 Guard mounting was barely over when the officer of the day received a note from the hands of the cOlonePs orderly. The officer at once transmit ted an order 1t contained to Surgeon Schuler. schuler read the order and immediately proceeded to hIs laboratory to obey 1t. He remained there an hour. The work assigned him could have been done In much less time, but be was ordered to use great care.
 Retreat was sounding when the colo ners orderly stepped up to Lieutenant Wright and handed him an order to re port in person at the coloneps quarters. The same orderly then went to Sur geon Schuler and handed him q similar order, at the same time instructing him to take with him the articles he had been ordered to prepare. When he reached headquarters he found Lieu tenant Wright waiting In the coloneps office while the colonel was pacing back and forth with a storm cloud on his brow. Neither of the young men knew 1t, but Alma had her eye at a peephole. As soon as Schuler entered the colonel sat down behind his desk.
 q understand" be said, that you young gentlemen, having no enemy tc shoot, are going to shoot each other. Duellng Is not permitted in our serv- Ice, and can't allow any such breach of discipline. Nevertheless I am will ing that you should both have an op- portunlty to show your mettle, provid' ed 1t can be done without attracting the attention of the command. I un- derstand that you, MT. Wright, consid, CT yourself aggrieYed and have chal Ienged Dr. Schubert"
 Wright bowed an assent.
 And you, doctor; have you ac. cepted?"
 "I have" said the doctor.
 "Very well. You, being the Chal. lenged party, have right to a choice of weapons. I will choose for you Have you executed the order sent you this morningT
 "I have, colonel" he replied wonder, ingly, and, unrolling q paper, he dis, played the sausages, laying them on the table.
 These, gentlemen" said the colonel "are your weapons. One of them is loaded with trlchinae germs, the other is perfectly healthy meat. Mir. Wright you, being ignorant of which Is the in fected sausage, have first choice; the other will remain for your antagonist At a given signal from me each will proceed to eat hls sausage. MT. Wright you may draw"
 Wright picked up a sausage. Schuler turned pale.
 "Dr. schuler," said the colonel, take your weapon"
 Schuler reached for the sausage and took 1t up gingerly,
 "Gentlemen, proceed"
 Both raised their sausages to theiI lips, but before either had bitten ( whIrlwind of white muslin stOrmeC into the room, and Alma Kendall, rush ing up to Dr. Schuler, seized his sau sage and threw 1t out of the window.
 Gentlemen" said the colonel, ''yor are both brave men, and, having proved your courage, 1t is not neces sary that you should fight. I trust