The Western outlook., 1915-03-20
THE YOUNG DUEL|sT
His Code Of Honor Brings Re-
suits Entirely Unexpected.

l I.
1 per Syndicateo
Master Robert Roberts was the
brother of Miss Mabel Roberts, who
was nineteen years old, and it was
remarked by many persons that she
| had rather too much dignity for that
age. Not that a girl shouldn't have
somef dignity, quite bit of dignity,
but unless she can thaw out when
occasion demands it rather repels
young man who might otherwise fall
! in love with her
Young Roberts had not acquired
/ his dignity-he was born with it. He
had been the most solemn infant In
the state. AS boy among boys, he
had never been known to laugh hear
tily. When his risibilities were stirred
a smile fitted across his face, but
there was never ha! ha! ha!
| Aside from his natural dignity,
young Roberts had a code of honor.
1t was a very strict code. If he stole
apples he took care to select the poor
est ones. If he had differences with
a boy he permitted that boy to run
| instead of fight. He was scarcely ten
years of age when he challenged
/ tin peddler to a duel because the man
/ kissed the Roberts cook at the back
door. He looked upon 1t as taking
advantage of a maiden in distress,
though the cook was fifty years old
and weighed 200 pounds.
The day that the honorable young
gentleman was fourteen years old he
went with his dignified sister Mabel
for a spin in the auto.
The gardener was inclined to tell
them he had heard the bridge over
Goose creek was not safe, but their
dignity as they drove out Of the lodge
gates made him, dumb.
In going a mile they met an old
horse, two cows and three hogs, but
native dignity was perfect and prop
erly maintained. Then they reached
the trap destiny had set for them.
Mr.. Giles Eaton, twenty-five years
old, of the city, but stopping for
few days with his brother, decided
on an auto drive. He turned up the
road instead of down because his
sister-in-law said: about four miles
up the road you will come to white
house on hill.
Z, "And shall buy it,"
IF you have the price. It's on the
| left hand ssde."
Good! My luck has always been
left-handed."
You may see girl sitting on the
veranda."
"a homely, red-headed girl?"
mo, sir. Good looking"
: And will she raise her eyes at me
and blush?"
'If she raises her eyes to you at all
1t will be to give. you look to freeze
| your blood
But why?''
Because her self-imposed dignity
requires it, She has young brother
with all the dignity Of Moses"
| WELL" said the young man, "if /
see the girl on the veranda shan't
try to thaw her out with a smile.
Haven't time, you See-
When he had proceeded along the
road until the white house on the hill
| came into view his auto suddenly
| swerved into the fence. Nothing was
broken, but when backing out, the
machine refused to, move. After
! working with it for five minutes, Mr..
| Eaton saw that he must crawl under
the auto to look at and fix the
trouble.
Now, to do the crawling act in a
proper manner one must remove his
coat and vest and collar and tie. If
he energies alive he must have oil
| and smut on face and hands. He must
also have word or two to say.
Mr.. Eaton was lying on his back
under the machine when the brother
and sister came up. AS his auto
| stood across the highway the other
| had to halt. Miss Mabel had all her
dignity with her, but something in
the situation struck her as being lu-
dicrous, and she actually giggled. The
brother didn't let down beyond a smile,
and that was mostly Of establishment
that his sister should giggle.
Mr.. Eaton didn't hear the auto APP
proach. and as he worked away, Of
course he said things. Why not? He
said them to himself and not to the
public. No couple or any other NUM-
Der had any right to come sneaking
/ I'M tn oyerhear things meant for
| private car.
Master Robert sat like a grave
| stone. Miss Mabel smiled and turned
her head away. She kept seeing more
and more humor in the situation.
It was Master Robert who at
length got down and tapped the feet
sticking out and said: Sir, come
Quit"
who in the devil is it?" was de-
manded
"sir, you are no gentleman"
who could be, lying on his back
| under a darned old auto."
"Sir. we desire to proceed, but~you
/ block the highway"
"Oh-ah. Why didn't you say
so?"
And the coatless, vestless, capless
and cuffless young man came crawl
ing out to exhibit himself. Then, in
an absent sort of way, as If he had
been hired to lift the state of Rhode
Island, he gave his auto slew and
cleared the road. He noted the dig
nified face of the boy, and he thought
he noted signs of quiet merriment on
the part of the young lady. For five