The daily Alaskan., 1906-12-26

IOriginaLl

| J fields in Paris toward & summit upon which the great Napoleon built the arch to commemorate his victories and passed down on the other side to the soulogue wood. X man inside called I 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 ad- mlre the tiuts painted on the clouds by the coming god of day, now snap ping of a blosSoming head of clover or dandeliOn. He was an intellectual l looking person. with a cast of Counte- nance denoting the artistic or imagina- tive faculty, straight and slender, with a mass of black hair falling down over bis coat collar.
 Presently he took out his watch, not ed the hour and muttered:
 Tt is time some of them should ar rive"
 A moment later the grinding of wheels was heard and another carriage came in sight, drove to where the man was standing, stopped, and gentleman alighted and stood face to face with the first comcr He was followed by two companions. one carrying a bundle of foils, the other a box.
 An. M Charlier." said the new conner. "why do I find you here alone? Where arp rhp SpCODTlS2'
 Wait" said M Charler You are not the only person am to meet this morning. There are several persons HhO wish to deprive me of my life, and propose that all shall have fair chance"
 First come. first served Is q good rule. solicit the privilege of taking my revenge before any one else has had a chance to deprive me of il. The Insult l have received cannot possibly have been equaled l demand au op- portunity to show you
 Meanwhile another carriage drove up. and out stepped smother party. This time there were two men carry ing toils and. aS before. cue bearing a box. The principal could easily be recognized from the surprise witlF which he noticed that party similar to his own had arrived before him.
 Pardon me, gentlemen" be said. What does this mean:'
 Tt means. M de MuSser,' said Charlicr. that M Rubidoux here. hay ing demanded satisfaction, as you have done. Is entitled 10 1t as much as you
 But M. Rubidoux cannot possibly have the grievance that have. Some petty breach of etiquette, perhaps, while r.
 Again there was a sound Of wheels. The meu looked and saw two more carriages coming.
 What do you mean, NJ. Charlier" asked NJ. Rubidoux. Are these car riages intended for your funeral train"
 They bear other persons who come here for satisfaction"
 The two carriages stopped, and from each a party a.ghted, all looking as tOuISheL at seeing 50 many persons present M. Charlier stepped forward to introduce them.
 M. RubidouN. NI de Musser, per init me to present M. TetedOux and NJ. Cardiac"
 All four men bowed very low, taking of their hats and stirring up COnsid- erable dust with the wind made by their sweeps. Their attendants stood in groups looking on, wondering at the strange turn the affair had taken.
 If all those you expect" said NJ. Rubidoux. are present. beg to say to them that. as first conner, l shall in- siSt'-
 And |, too. insist" interrupted De MuSSer.
 "Grntlemen, exclaimed NJ. Tetedoux lu souorous bass voice. "Gentlemeu" cried M. Cardiac in tones of q shrin reed instrument. Charller 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 I to take satisfaction We will let him off. I propose We cast lots for first chance" :" Agreed 70 cried all the others at once. l Charlier himself wrote their names each ou separate bit of paper, put them in a hat, one of the seconds drew and the first chance fell to M. Rubi- | doux. They fought, and M. RubidOuX | was so eager to finish the case himself | that he fenced hotly and badly. Pres ently his Foil went flying in the air. He was obliged to give way to the next man whose name had been drawn, and NJ. Cardiac stood up before the victor.
 I'll show you that you cannot h. suit me by drawing what you conceive 10 be my character in your miserable novel with impunity."
 What novel;" asked De Musser.
 "'Moi.'" replied Cardiac. Jules Garuier in that story is a caricature of myself"
 Not at all," put in M. Tetedoux, "Garnisr was drawn from me"
 "Gentlemen." interrupted NJ. Rubi' doux, T think I can convince you that