The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-28
COLONEL BUNKER.
some "Reminiscences Of the Field OF
Honor.

do you know, suh-do you know that
Il you we're to call me liar, sun that
J would have no recourse except 70
strike you with my cane2" asked Col
onel Bunker, as he slowly slipped at MS
tall glass OF mint 5ulep.
The good old times are gone, sun
zone forever he continued with q saa
Shake Of his head THE so-called gem
tieman OF today uses cane OF his fist
instead OF hair-triggeT. He is seen IN
the cOtes instead Of on the neld OF
houoh. He walks home with black eye
instead of being carried home on
shutter. Gone, suh-gone like the roses
Of last summer, and they win never re-
turn to US The dueIlo is dead and the
field of honor has been planted to pea
nuts.
IT would not convey the impression
that was afre-eater in my younger adys
on the contrary 1 was quiet, con-
eervative man. though perhaps over
punctilfous as regards honoh. mace
it an fnhexi5le rule that no living lnau
should frnpugn my honOh and escape
q challenge. Ny first one was fought
when WIS only IS years old. ana the
last when I was nearly go FIRST ana
last, I fought about SO actions and 4
can truthfully say that each ana every
one was forced upon me.
The first was with a gentleman
named. On being introduced to him L
saw rim looking at my legs, ana rev
minutes later he attempted to console
me- on the Fact that / toed in when
walked, and to suggest a cure me
words were hardly out Of his mouth
when I challenged him. be seemed a
bit surprised, but could do no less than
accept. and when his second arranged
the particulars with mine lac chose the
rapier. We met on the field and 1
pinked my man and received an apol-
ogv. It was said from that time on
that he would pass knock-kneed man
%and never look at him
"a year later the second affair oc-
Cured. I had been drinking with sew
eral gentlemen when the question
arose as to whether q cucumber was a
fruit or a vegetable. Various opinions
we're expressed, and gave mine
Majah Strong was pleased TO laugh
in a satirical sort of way. walked
over and pulled his nose, and Of co sc
g. challenge followed. 1t was bright
moonlight night in winter, and rapiers
were sent for and we were fighting
within an hour. The majah scratched
me on the arm, and in return 1 tckled
his ribs and laid him up for s. month.
ION my twentieth birthday I was on
the field Of honor for the third time.
Two days befo', in riding out, my horse
ran away with me, and ] had the mis-
fortune to run against the horse OF
Captain Saunders, and threw the rider
from the saddle. Pure accident. sub
but as the captain and I had had a
little difference Of opinion as to wheth-
er swans could be classed with the
goose family or not, he waited for nc
apology. He challenged me at once
and this time It was a duel with pistols
I am sure the captain aimed straight
for my left eye and intended to make
q neat job Of 1t. but I had no murder
Gus intentions. I aimed for his right
shoulder and bored a hole through it
while his bullet sung by my head
When he came to learn that my horse
was beyond control, he sent for me ano
did the right thing. Tt was the apollo
BY OF one gentleman to another
There was now an interval Of two
. years soh-tWo years, and then I mar.
RED. nay 70 further and say tha'
eioped with the choice of my affec-
tons. I believe that Is the term gener.
ally used. At least, I induced the young
lady TO fly with me into another com
ty, and We had been married two days
when her father and three brothers ar
rived. I found myself IN a. tangie, sub
The father challenged me instanter. /
is hardly the thing to fight a duel with
your father-in-Iaw, but in THIS case Il
was either fight or submit to the horse
whip. It Was pistols at ten PAGES, and
when I returned from the field and
informed my bride that I had put
bullet tia ough her fathers LEFT leg. sh,
didn't seem to approve Of my marks
rnanshiD.
'Egad. sub. but mo trouble followed
The oldest son at once challenged. /
was his right to do 50, and I had to 60
forth and shoot him through his pistO
hand His bullet grazed my cheek
again the bride expressed her disap
prevail but while I was arguing the
case the seconds Of the next Oldes
brother arrived. bluntly refused to re
ceive them. but within three days Their
was such a public stir that had to seel
the field again. It WAS rapiers this TIM
and William was nowhere. I disarmeS
him twice and then pinked him in tn
shoulder. but 1 lad not left the fielC