The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-04-13
A Novel Way
ITO Fam e
1Original.l


Miles Barnicourt, an American youth
of timid nature. but vivid imagina-
ton, with which he was fond of pici
turing himself as cowboy. bank rob-
Der or duelist. after finishing his edu-
cation went abroad for trip. He told
his friend before leaving that he was
glad to go to a country where gen.
tlenen settled their differences in
gentlemanly way. IL he was not prop
! crly treated while abroad he could
| get redress without resorting to 20
/ lice court.
| This meant that he would pick a
returned, and he did. One evening ut
cafe he noticed a very modest look
| ing man dining alone. Barnicourt in
| endeavoring to make known his wants
to the French waiter called forth q
smile from the gentleman mentioned.
1t occurred to the young aspirant for
dueling hOnors that this would be
good opportunity to show his grit. In
broken French he asked the man what
he was laughing at. making mixture
of verbs. nouns and participles that
called forth Il second smile, more pro-
nounced than the first. WhereupOn
BarnicOurt seized a glass, dOused the
stranger with the wine it contained
and then produced his card. The
stranger removed the wine from his
face with his napkin. then drew his
card and presented it to the American.
at the same time saying in very fair
English: "A friend of mine will call
upon you ut II o'clock tonight. trust
you will be mt home" Barnicourt said
that he would, and the stranger went
on with his dinner.
Barnicourt took the card to an Amer
lean. Charles Maubray, permanent
resident Of Paris, to whom he had
brought letter of introduction. 1,c
was narrating the episode when his
friend exclaimed:
Great heavens. man! You've insult
ed jacques Verdier. the most noted
duelist in Paris"
Barnicourt paled. Maubray asked
him If he We're expert with the pistol,
the sword, indeed any weapon which
they might choose for the combat. But
Barnicourt declared that he could only
use the pistol and that fairly well.
This won't do" said Maubray. You
can't fight yerdier; he would make
ndnce meat of you in no time. But
how in the world am l to get you out
of it: My friend Perkins. from whom
you brought me your letter, would
never forgive me If let you get kill
ed
cant 1 apologize?" faltered Barni-
court.
apologize! And have it known to-
morrow in all the clubs of Paris that
an Americana friend Of mine-insult-
ed a man and apologized because he
feared to die. .Sever.'
Barnicourt turned several shades
whittier than before, and Maubfay. tell
ing him to remain till his return, went
: to Barnicourt's lodgings to receive the
]: challenge. At II 30 he returned and
said it was to be pistols. near Yer
: saillcs. the next morning at 6 o'clock.
Maubray went out, and BarnicOurt
did not see him again till o'clock,
! when he drove up to the house In car
/; triage in company with young doctor
; Barnicourt's legs would scarcely carry
!; him to the carriage. and once there he
!: lay back on the cushion like n corpse
! while the doctor gave Maubray an &C
!: count Of Verdier's last duel. at which
he 1.-THE doctor was present. and how
!: yerflier had killed his man. Barni
!; court moaned, and the two men looked
!: at him as much as to say. Hes going
!; to show the white feather" Wher
they reached the ground and alightei
!; Maubrny whispered to Barnicourt
Courage. They are there, as hoped
Keep up your pluck.
!: This stiffened the dropping man. anL
they proceeded to Join the others. Three
men were in earnest conversation witt
yerdicr verdier was endeayoring evi
IDENTIFY to convince them that he was II
: no danger, for he was heard to say
They are not duelists in America, and
can pierce five franc piece at {
!: hundred yards"
!: what is that?" interrupted Mau
!: bray. mo duelists in America? That,
: in the north. My principal comes from
the south. where the revolver Is al
common as a house key"
This had the effect to cause tn
: strangers to renew their protestaticns
verdicr seemed very much troubled.
You should help me, Mr.. Maubray.'
n he said. INSTEAD of standing In m.
way. l owe these gentlemen alto
gether some 1900 francs. and the!
having in some way got wind of thi
affair insist on payment before ex
pose my life. Bah! What risk do
rum
These gentlemen are the best judge
t, Of that" replied Afaubray carelessly
Il can only say to you. NJ. Verdier. tina
il you expect an easy conquest over m,
principal you are mistaken. Tie re
volver has been his plaything sine
childhood"
II This brought on more protestation
!. from the strangers and hot words fron
is Verdier Finally AIaubray said:
s. "This is an unnecessary affair. Ma
!, we not settle it? Why, NJ. Yerdier. di
~ you laugh at my principal?'
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