The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-07-05
The Quiintesse &
81. Egotiis'm
By ESTHER VANDEVEER.

x------------
One morning a carriage stopped In
the Boulogne wood in Paris.
"This is the place." said the occu-
pant. .-
Alighting, he directed the coachman
to drive on over crest and wait.
Then he began to pace idly back and
forth, now turning to the east to ad-
mire the tints painted on the clouds
by the coming god Of day, now snap
ping off blossoming head Of clover or
dandelion. He was an intellectual look
ing person, with cast of countenance
denoting the artistic or imaginative
faculty, straight and slender, with
mass Of black hair falling down over
his coat collar.
Presently he took out his watch, not
ed the hour and muttered:
1T is time some Of them should ar.
rive"
A moment later the grinding of
wheels was heard and another carriage
came In sight, drove to where the man
was standing, stopped, a gentleman
alighted and stood face to face with
the first conner. He was followed by
two companions, one carrying bundle
of foils, the other box
"Ah, NJ. Charlier," said the newcom-
er, why do. find you here alone?
Where are the seconds?" r-
wait" said NJ. Charlier. "You are
not the only person l am to meet this
morning. There are several persons
who wish to deprive me of my life,
and propose that all shall have fair
chance" <
"'First come, first served is a good
rule. solicit the privilege Of taking
my revenge before any one else has
had a chance to deprive me Of It. The
insult have received cannot possibly
have been equaled. l demand an OPP
portunity to show you
Meanwhile another carriage drove up.
and out stepped another party. This.
time there were two men carrying foils
and, as before, one bearing box. The
principal could easily be recognized
from the surprise with which he no
ticed that party similar to his own
had arrived before him.
Pardon me, gentlemen" he said.
What does this mean?"
1T means, NJ. de Musser," said Char
lier, that M. Rubidoux here, having
demanded satisfaction, as you have
done, is entitled to it as much as you"
But NJ. Rubidoux cannot possibly
have the grievance that I have Some
petty breach of etiquette, perhaps,
while ~
Again there was sound Of wheels.
what do you mean, M. Charlier?'
asked NJ. Rubidoux. care these car
riages intended for your funeral train?"
'They bear other persons who come
here for satisfaction" -.
Two more carriages stopped, and from
each party alighted, all looking as
tonished at seeing SO many persons
present NJ. Charlier stepped forward
to introduce them.
m. Rubidoux, NJ. de Musser, permit
me to present M. Tetedoux and M.
Cardiac"
All four men bowed very low, taking
of their hats and stirring up consider
able dust with the wind made by their
sweeps. Their attendants stood in
groups. looking on, wondering at the
strange turn the affair had taken.
If all those you expect" said NJ
Rubidoux, 'are present beg to say
to them that, as first conner, I shall
insist
"And ]. too, insist" interrupted De
Musser. @.
Gentlemen exclaimed M. Tetedoux
in sonorous bass voice.
Gentlemen cried NJ. Cardiac In
tones Of q shrill reed instrument.
Charlier folded his arms and waited
"This fellow" cried Rubidoux, ''has
sought to save himself from my Just
wrath by picking quarrel with 80
many that he thinks all not being able
to take satisfaction we viii let him of.
propose We cast lots for first chance"
"Agreedw cried all the others at
once. Charlier himself wrote their
names each on separate bit of paper,
put them in a hat, one Of the seconds
drew, and the first chance fell to M. /
Rubidoux. They fought, and NJ. Rubi-
doux was 80 eager to finish the case
himself that he fenced holly and bad
~. Presently his foil went flying in
the air. He was obliged to give way
to the next man whose name had been
drawn, and M. Cardiac stood up be.
fore the victor.
I'll show you that you cannot in
suit me by drawing what you conceive
to be my character in your miserable
novel with impunity."
what novelT" asked De Musser.
MOI" replied Cardiac. "Jules Gar
nier in that story is a caricature Of
myself"
mot at ALL" put In NJ. Tetedoux.
GARNER was drawn from me-"
Gentlemen" interrupted M. Rubi-
doux, II think can convince you that
the portrait is intended to be mine
when tell you that NJ. Charlier sent
me a copy Of the book to read"
HE sent me copy!" exclaimed NJ.
Tetedoux. /
"And me! And mev' cried both the
others 1-.