Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
"A TOOTH FOR. A TOOTH"

| happened to be Lord Cranton's travelling
cap. and, more unfortunately, lock OF
hair beneath then he lurchsd against the
rail- and literally hung across it.
The occurrence was clearly accldenta-
and the Kentuekian was about to regain
his feet and apo ogiZe. when his lordsh!p
scrambled furiOusly from his chair and
kicked him-hard.
Now, to Kick a native. free-born Ameri-
can-especially when his~back is turned
/! is the very quintesssnce. of personal In
dignity. The Englishman had acted
without a moments thought, and be 1t
sad that he instantly regretted having
thus demeaneu himself. Joe Rupert also
| acted quickly-very .quickly-not so mucE
in thought as in that peculiar instinct
engendered .iby western code of raw
morality He achieved short, self
strangled blasphemous roar; a Colts As
took the center of the stage, and the cap
tain, who struck desperately at the wea-
pom. lost three years growth and a but
| ton from his handsome cap. as the bullet
went tipping out to sea.
| In an instant mora tn ere was a tanglo
of humanity on the slippery deck. Joe
occupying a metaphor.ca! lower berth.
while the ships officials formed warm
but unrestful coveriet. The one cool
member of the company was Milford of
Cranton who lit his cigar with a wind
match and watched the proceedings with
a heaven-born air of unconcern.
Following a period of intense activity
the American was secured by numerous
| lights of the lead-line. and was carried
bodily into the captains cabin as an un-
sympathetic member, of, peace confer
ence. Lord Cranton was also invited to
attend. but the captive's general style Of
criticism matie the august presence quite
impossible
The earl who was clearly in the wrong
wrote a note of dignified apology. which
the captain read aloud Joe Rupert.
| calmer now; but still bound hand and
| foot, dictated the following dignified re-
| Ply:
Sir-For pullin' of yo' hair I'm mighty
sorry. L done it accidental The kick
you give me mot bein' by no means a
ack of perlite sirsiety) was a Insult TO tn
/ pride an self-respeck of any liv.n' gent
man, an as such l deman' the chanst of
satisfaction now an immediate, in any
way what suits yoself. sir. from fists TO
rifles. Failing me in this, ] swear to kick
you tweed or more befo the eyes of
every man, lady an chile on bode. jes' as
soon as they gets well enough to come
up on deck an see me do il. Yours truly.
JOSEPH RUPERT.
This challenge. after being read by the
lordly principal. was crump. ed and tossed
with a careless shrug into the
What shall tell him?" asked the wait
| ing messenger.
ITO 60 TO the devil suggested Lord
Cranton. yawning lazily. So the messen
ger returned.
! Now, the captains position was both
delicate and awkward, yet he rose above
it nobly.
Mr. Rupert." he said, with a shade of
sternness in his tone, when once you
have crossed my gang-p.ank you may
kick your fellow passenger as hard and as
| often AS you choose, but while on board
my ship you must give me your word of
/ tn In, M nQt
otherwise"
The captain paused 'impress.vely.
/ otherwise what?" asked Joe, the light
of battle still glittering in his steel-gray
| yes.
II place you in irons for the balance O!
the voyage and hold you until Lord Gran
| ton is on his way to Canada"
! The Kentuckian thoughtfully considered