The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-04-26
MYSELF
[Original.l

riage boWled along over the Elysian
fields in Paris toward a summit upon
which the great Napoleon built the
arch to commemorate his victories and
passed down on the other side to the
Boulogne wood. A man inside called
halt.
Alighting, he directed the coachman
to drive on over crest and wait.
Then he began to pace idly back and
forth, now turning to the east to adj
mire the tints painted OH the clouds
by the coming god of day, now snap
ping off blossoming head of clover or
dandelion. He was an intellectual
looking person, with cast Of counte-
nance denoting the artistic or imagina-
tive faculty, straight and slender, with
mass Of black hair falling down over
his coat collar.
Presently he took out his watch, not
ed the hour and muttered:
ut is time some Of them should ar
rive"
A moment later the grinding Of
wheels was heard and another carria ge
came in sight, drove to where the man
was standing, stopped, and gentleman
'alighted and stood face to face with the
flrst conner. He was followed by two
companions, one carrying bundle Of
foils, the other box.
"Ah, NJ. Charlier," said the new
conner, why do find you here alone?
Where are the seconds?''
wait" said NJ. Charlicr. "You are
not the only person am to meet this
morning. There are several persons
who wish to deprive me of my life,
and propose that all shall have fair
chance"
First come, first served is q good
rule. l solicit the privilege of taking
my revenge before any one else has
had chance to deprive me of it. The
insult have received cannot possibly
have been equaled. demand an op-
portunity to show you
Meanwhile another carriage drove
up, and out stepped another party.
This time there We're two men carry
ing foils and, as before, one bearing
box. The principal could easily be
recognized from the surprise with
which he noticed that party similar
to his own had arrived before him.
"Pardon me. gentlemen" he said.
1sWhat does this mean?"
ut means, NJ. de Musser," said
Charlfer, 'that NJ. Rubidoux here, hav-
ing demanded satisfaction, as you have
done, is entitled to it as much as you"
"But NJ. Rubidoux cannot possibly
have the grievance that have. Some
petty breach Of etiquette, perhaps,
while p
Again there was a sound Of wheels.
The men looked and saw two more
carriages coming.
"What do you mean, NJ. Charlier"
asked NJ. Rubidoux. care these car
riages intended for your funeral
4 train ~
Z "They bear other persons who come
here for satisfaction
The two carriages stopped and from
each a party alighted, all looking as
tonished at seeing SO many persons
present. NJ. Charlier stepped forward
to introduce them.
'M RubidouX, NJ. de Musser, per-
NIT me to present NJ. Tetedoux and NJ.
Cardiac"
All four men bowed very low, taking
off their hats and stirring up consid-
cradle dust with the wind made by
their sweeps. Their attendants stood
in groups looking on, wondering at the
strange turn the affair had taken.
eff all those you expect" said NJ.
Rubidoux, ARE present, beg to say
to them that as first conner, shall in
sist''-
"And 1, too, insist" interrupted De
Musser.
Gentlemen" exclaimed NJ. Tetedoux
in u sonorous bass voice.
Gentlemen cried NJ. Cardiac in
tones Of shrill reed instrument.
Charlier folded his arms and waited.
"This fellow" cried Rubidoux, has
sought to save himself from my just
wrath by picking quarrel with so
many that he thinks all not being able
to take satisfaction we will let him off.
I propose we cast lots for first chance"
agreed" cried all the others at once
Charlier himself wrote their names
each ON separate bit of paper, put
them in hat, one of the seconds drew
and the first chance fell to NJ. Rubi-
doux. They fought. and NJ. Rubidoux
was so eager to finish the case himself
that he fenced holly and badly. Pres
entity his foil went flying in the air.
He was obliged to give way to the next
man whose name had been draw md
M. Cardiac stood up bef"r ctor.
"I'll show you that OF In
suit me by drawing wi r;,eive
to be my character in aGSble
novel with impunity."
what novel?' asked l b.
"'Moi'" replied Card uies
GARNER in that story is a varicature
of myself"
mot at ALL" put in NJ. Tetedoux,
"Garmer was drawn from me-"
Ss"Gentlemen," interrupted NJ. Rub;-
doux, II think / can convince you that
the portrait is intended to be mine
when l tell you that NJ. Charlier sent
me copy Of the book to read"