The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-11-03
The UNDOINC
OF A DUELIST
Cowardly Bully Caught In
His Own Trap.

One evening at the close or the eight
eenth century young man stopped at
q tavern In New York and was sitting
In the taproom dreamily looking at
the embers In the great open fireplace
when one of number of men drink
Ing and smoking at the tables-a fell
low with bad eye and a crafty look
on his face-bcgan to make remarks
about him In so loud a tone that he
could not fail to hear them. Neverthe-
less the stranger endured them for a
time without retort, then got up and
started to leave the room, whereupOn
the man who had insuted him sud.
Denly put out his foot and the stranger
fell sprawling on the floor. The fallen
man, still apparently unwilling to no.
tice the Offense, arose and proceeded
on his way to another room.
He had not been there long before
young man Of pleasing appearance en-
tered and addressed him:
"You are apparently a stranger here"
he said, "and need a friend. The man
who has insulted you is notorious for
picking quarrels, and when he finds
his antagonist one who Is likely to get
the better Of him he invariably finds
some adroit method Of getting out of
the difficulty. am anxious for pre-.
text to fight him. Why, ! don't care
to explain, except to say that 1t is a
matter Of the heart. / have recently
returned from a long absence in that
part OF Louisiana lying west Of the
Mississippi, and, though Immediately
recognized this man--Amos Stringfel-
t0w-he doesn't recognize me. On ac.
count Of the lady in the case would
not like to quarrel with him on my
own account, nor would he permit me
10 do SO. Yonr affair is my opportu-
atty. You seem to be averse to fight-
Ing him yourself. Therefore / would
ask your permission to act as your
champion
The speaker drew forth card on
which was printed his name, Horace
George Herrfck. In return he received
one from the stranger, Henry Pinck-
ney.
II am not averse to fighting the fel-
low" Pinckney said. "We Of the south
usually settle such matters under the
code. But In my case there Is reason
why ! should not My father killed a
friend in "A duel and suffered 80 from
remorse that he extracted promise
from me never to engage In one my
self"
Herrick pleaded with Pinckney for
permission TO represent him. Pinckney
was unwilling TO stand In so unplens-
ant light, but at last consented. de-
claring that In case Herrlck fell he
would throw aside his scruplcs and
take up the quarrel on his own ac.
count. Herrick returned to the tap
room and after berating Stringfellow
Tor being so inh0spitable as to insult
an inoffensive stranger took II upon
himself to vindicate the good name Of
New York and demanded satisfaction.
6tringfe!lOw demnrred on the ground
that tho challenger was not New
Yorker. whereupon Herrick Informed
him that he had been born in New
York and of his identity.
Stringfellow saw at once that he had
fallen into his own trap. but relied, ms
usual, on some subterfuge to preserve
hi3 reputation for courage and at the
same time keep out Of harms way. He
accepted the challenge and, as the chnl-
acnged party had the right TO name
the conditions. chose pistols In a dark
ROOM.
Before entering the apartment Her.
T1ck took Pinckney aside and said TO
him:
III ] fall 20 10 Harlem and find
Katherine Van Gaasback. Tell her
mat her former playmate returned and
heard that she was about 10 marry
Amos Stringfellow: that chance gave
me tile opportunity 10 defend the good
name OF New York against her lover
anu fell In the cause OF hospitality"
Finckney. much dissatisfied with the
course the affair had taken, made the
required promise. and the two princi-
bsIs were put In the room, from which
ell light had been excluded, and took
their positions. Each was provided
with two pistols. and the men were
permitted TO fire on a signal given
without, few notes on bugle.
Ten minutes elapsed after the signal.
when two shots were fired In rapid
succession, and II moment later IA knock |
was heard on the door from within.
II was opened, and Stringfelow was
discovered In the fireplace across Il
pair OF andirons, while Herrick stood
looking at him, white as sheet.
what does It mean?" asked one Of
the entering party
"MeanT exclaimed Herrick. ut
means that as soon as the door was
closed l was seized with remorse at de-
pnving Kate Van Gansback Of the
msn she had chosen TO wed Feeling
my way around the room, 1 came 10
the fireplace. II occurred to me to dis.
charge my pistols up the chimney that
they might surely do no harm. did
% and what was my surprise to hear
groan. and heavy body came tum-
bling down"
Strtnefellow, who had climbed the
eh'ahey 10 be out OF harms way, was
"a mil Lxf