The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-01-15

Re II so. sir. ! shall send a friend
10 you"
"One moment. sir The lady whose
con you have swindlcd must not be
brought into this AFFAIR. and II IL to
your interest. sir. that It's real cause
should be concealed Return 10 your
friends. Presently I will arise 20 leave
the room. Place your foot In such 20
sition that ! may trip on II. ! will re
taliate by drawing my glove across
your. face. You can then send your
friend 10 me without the true cause
Of the difference between us being
known"
AS you like. sir Meanwhile you
may keep the check. II you kill me
you may return II to the lady who
wrote a. II Kill you
"lou can take such action concern
Ing II Ms you see Nc. u you choose now
20 decline II and will give me receipt
for the amount ~ It's face this affalr
need go no further"
Tllfori made no reply 10 this for
awhile lie was turning the matter
over IN his mind There were reasons
why he should rccc.lc from the posi-
tion IN which he stood but he did not
wish 10 give up the plumber. aud he
might possibly retain u without dam
age Ia his reputation Travcrs was not
known as n fighter. while Tilford came
from the south where dueling was
quite common. and he was an expert
with both sword and pistol.
mo. sir. she said ~ last. "You have
lnsulted me. accused me and my honor
must be yindicatcd ="
With that he turned and went back
10 his companions
Nothing ~ the conversation had been
heard by them. and when TraverS
arose and walked toward the desk 10
pay his reckoning no one was aware
that n pantomimc was To he enacted.
As he was walking lcisurely past the
table where his adversary sat the lat
ter put out his foot. aud Travers stun
bled against II.
"You did that on purpose. sir" he
said
AS you please to consider Il. sir"
] iIuNfIN hifN AtbNt lIpm " po'h'l
and struck Tlford with II lightly on
the check Then he passed In the
same lcisurcly manner out OF the din
Ing room.
/ When Tiford's second returned ~
him with TraycrS' reply 10 his chal
lenge the southcrncr knit his brows.
Wy asserting Ia his cuemy's plan he
had given Trnvcrs the chance OF place
and weapons. The conditions named
by the latter We're pistols. In a dark
room. each party 20 be supplied with
nm unlimited number Of weapons
This placed them on an equality. AMI
Tilfor,l lost the advantage of his SKIN
and reputation as ducllst
Tilford was an lmpostor and swim
dler. lie had forged letters ~ intro
duction and had played young Van
Zandt with marked cards Relieving
that his true character would soon
come out. he desired. II possible. to get
the money on Mrs Van Zandts check
and disappear. But In playing n gen
tlemans game he had left the check
with Travers. lie seut word to his
adversary that he would apologize for
tripping him and take Mrs. Van
Zandts check To her and tear IL To
pieces In her presence II this would be
agreeable to Mr. Travers
Travers was unwilling 90 trust him
with the check 81 hong as II was good
at the bank. but he took sufficient
time to 20 there and request that Il
should not bc paid n presented. Then
he sent IL To Tilford. stating that his
proposed terms were accepted. But he
fore Tilford had time to try TO get the
check cashed Travers went 10 the
bank and was there In concealment
when Tilford hurried In and present
ed the check. Travcrs confronted him.
"You scoundrcl'" he said. sign
receipt for the amount you claim from
young Van Zandt and give II TO me.
with this check. or 20 TO Jail"
Tilford threw Mp the game and
agreed 10 the conditions. When the
receipt had been drawn and signed
and the check returned he was per
mitted 10 leave the bank and the city
and was never seen In New York
again.
The same evening Mr. Travers was
announced In the drawing room OF
Mrs. Van Zandt.
"Have you paid my sons indebted
nessf" she asked.
IL have. madam. There is the re
ceipt"
He handed II 10 her She cast her
eyes over II and was folding Il when
he handed her her check. She looked
at II, surprised. then at him for an ex-
PLANTATION.
There was no legitimate debt" he
said, ''due from your son To this man
Tilford. who was an impostor and n
swindler. lie returned your check and
signed receipt for the amount he had
claimed In preference 10 going 10 jail"
How did you prove him such?'
IL gave him my opinion OF one who
would take money In such fashion
from n minor He still pretended 10 be
gentleman and agreed To surrender
the check 10 you In person. Instead OF
doing so. he presented II ut the bank.
! had taken the precaution 10 stop
payment on the cheek and was at the
hA. n 40. H.. Al. L..