Evening star., 1928-07-19

Charles Dickens. i6i2-ieTo. was an Eng.
Se asss Il sGsd si rIs sss HIS DAYS
vel known. In "Pickwick Papers he made
. humo2ons hit. With the funny adventure;
cs Mr.. Pickwick and his companions.
Mr.. Wrinkles coat committed an in
discretion. but Mr.. Wrinkle did not
know it. For Mr. Wrinkle was dead
drunk at the time. sleeping soundly
He did not wake either wnen the coat
was borrowed from his closet or when
it was stealthily returned-after the
wearer of it had been indiscreet enough
70 rouse the ire of suitor for a widow &
favor by seeking that widows favor
himself, Mr.. Wrinkle slept peacefully
therefore, until the next morning he
was called to account.
Il have called here this morning. .
said Mr.. Wrinkles visitor, ION behalf oil
my friend DR.. Slammer of the 97th.''
DIR. Slammery9 said Mr.. Winkle.
"Dr. Slammer. He begged me to ex-
press his opinion that your conduct
OF last evening was OF description
which no gentleman could endure"
Mr.. Wrinkles astoniShment was too
real, too evident, to escape the obsar-
ration of DR. Siammer's friend: he
therefore proceeded: My friend. DR..
slammer requested me to add that
Ne was firmly pursuaded that you were
intoxicated during portion of the
evening and possibly unconscious of
the extent of the insult YOU were
guilty OF. He commissioned me to say
that should this be pleaded as an ex-
Cslse for your behavior he viii consent
70 accept written apology. to be
penneo by you from my dictation"
"A written apology!" repeated Mr..
Wrinkle
of course you know the alternative. ''
Did I give my name?" asked Mr.
Wrinkle.
Il was not there myself" replied the
visitor. You refused to give vour
card. was therefore asked to identi-
IT you by bright blue dress coat YOU
wore, with gilt button displaying
bust, and the letters p. c."
This vas Mr.. Wrinkles coat. Ne
doubt OF 1t: none other like it. Hs
excused himself to see IL theacoat was
IN his closet. It was, with unmistak.
able signs Of having been worn ths
pEegious evening. Now. Mr.. WinkIe
hsn q reputation for sportsmansl,ip. n
o1nnt like the idea OF duel, but there
wAs MS reputation. There really wa,
ncfhing else to do. Anyway, ne flae
nesro that the second saw To it that tlf
pistols were not loaded with ball. Be.
Hluee. the authorities might hear of Il
and stop the affair.
30 MT. Winkle accepted the challenge
afu conhded In Mr.. Enodgrags as hi,
second Mr.. Snodgress--sO Mr.. Win.
kie tnought--was all too ready TO keeE
the AFFAIR profound secret and see tI
u tnat they were not interrupted Ia
any way.
s'Snodgrass, mfr. Winkle said. "dt
not let me be baked In this matter: di
not give information TO the local au.
tnoriiies: do not obtain the assistance
OF several peace officers to take either
me or DR.. Eianimer OF the 97th Regi.
nnent, at present quartered In Chatham
Barracks. into custody, and thus pre-.
vent this duel--I say do not"
Mr.. SnOograss. seizing his friend,
hand warmly, enthusiastically replied
Not for worldsl"
80 that dull and heavy evening the,
sailed forth on their awkward errand
Mr. Winkle was nufi1ed up in a huge
cloak 10 escape observation, and Mr.
sroogress bore under his arm the in.
str1lments Of destruction.
Arriving, there wss DIR. SIsmmer a.
distance, DR. Slsmnerg second. anf
man sitting calmly on camp stool
the surgeon. Mfr Winkie INTRODUCED
Mr. Snodgrass 70 DR.. Slamn1er's friend.
VIII you step forward?" said the Of
fcer.
Certainly" replied Mr.. snodgrass