The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-09
A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH
BY EDWARD PEpLE AUTHOR OF "pRINcE CHAP"

(Copyr;ght)
 "HE particular trouble began on the
 English liner Afric, and was per- \ sonal question between a self-made young Kentuckian and highly polished British nobleman.
 Joe Rupert, the American, was finely muscled specimen of manhood, who had learned to ride and shoot and fight on the borders of western civilization, but now had settled down to the legitimate trade of raising horse flesh, in the blue grass region of his native state. He had been to England with large consignment Of blooded stallions and was returning happy and at peace with all the world.
 Lord Francis St. Agnew Whittemere, Earl of Cranton, was a most distinguished looking parsonage, slender and athletic, with fashonably trimmed mustache and Van Dyke beard. His eyes were blue. his features regular, refined, yet marred by a dash of aristocratio scorn of the common herd.
 The Initial meeting between the Ken tuclSian and the Englishman wass brief but fruitful. Lord Cranton was leaning gracefully against the rail, absorbed in the antics of school of fish that seemed 10 be turning somersaults.
 "They's porpusses," politely volunteered the Kentuckian who was passing at the moment, and addressed his lordship in that free and easy camaraderie of ocean voyagers. 'I seen em frequent when l frs come over, an if you'll watch em long enough, you'll"
 He paused abruptly, for the Englishman was treating him to stony stare of dis dain unutterable. The patrician nostrils were extended wide; the lips were curled, u,bt ha bad m strictel by the crystal monocle was raised to Its most majestic height. For an instant he looked the American over from top to toe, then shrugged and turned his back deliberately.
 Joe flushed and walked away. The in- suit, though unmistakable, was not of a nature to warrant wringing the gentle mans neck, as much as he yearned to do so. True, the fault was all his own in speaking to an utter stranger yet, nor alize as he would, the noblemans very presence on the ship was as a sheep-burr under a saddle flap. It galled Joe Rupert even to look at the Englishmans aggres- sive steamer rug. The long plaid great coat was another constant irritation, while the hideous plaid cap to match was a thing which stirred him to the quick of his wrathful soul. Also, the occasional glance of supreme contempt which Lord Cranton cast in his direction would cause his thoughts to wander to the Colts .45 which seemed to burn in the pocket on his hip. Then the second meeting took place and bore more fruit
 The weather had roughened till the Afric rolled in the trough of heavy sea like drunken sailor. Nine tenths of the passengers were scientifically dead in their berths below, while the other tenth told lies among themselves and said that the trip was great. The Earl reclined in his steamer chair, chatting with the cap- tain, the mate and three burly officers when the Kentuclzian chanced along. He was reeling toward the smoking room and might have reached this point 1T safety had the Afric not given an un. usually frisky pitch. Joe skidded, so tC speak, clutched wildly at the nearest ob 1ect of support, which, unfortunately happened to be Lord Cranton's travelling cap, and more unfortunately. lock oi hair beneath; then he lurched agains the rail and literally hung across it.
 The occurrence was clearly accidental and the Kentuckian was about to regain his feet and apologize, when his 1ordshil scrambled furiously from his chair ant kicked him-hard.
 Now to kick native, free born Ameri can-especially when his back Is turned is the very quintessence of personal in dignity The Englishman had acted with out a moments thought, and be it sai' that he instantly regretted having thu bemeaned himself. Joe Rupert also acte' ouickly-very quickly-not so much il thought as in that peculiar instinct en rendered by a western code of ray morality. He achieved a short. half strangled, blasphemous roar; a Colts AZ took the center of the stage, and tn captain, who struck desperately at tn weapon, lost a three years growth am . button from his handsome cap, as tb bullet went dipping out to sea.
 Tn an instant more there was tangl of humanity on the slippery deck, Joe oc cupying a metaphorical lower berth while the ships officials formed a warn hut pnrestful coverlet The one coo