Year: 1876

eminence, 1.-The Major" was one of the
most noted duelists of the day. A dead
shot, a perfect master of fence, and in
his enmities utterly relentless, his name
had become terror to all who knew him.


In the midst of knot of admiring
friends, one day, the major was discuss
ing his last "affair, and complacently
explaining how it came that he mortally
wounded his adversary, instead of kill
ing him on the spot, when one of two
men advanced and struck him in the
face. The spectators stood aghast.
What could have tempted the stranger
to rush thus madly on his fasef He was
an old man. Already, to appearance,
had threescore and ten years passed over
his head. He must, indeed, have been
weary of life, whose brief remnant he
was ready to cast away so recklessly.


The major was astonished. The very
audacity o. the act struck him with
amazement.


sis this provocation sufficient, or must
repeat if, ;" inquired his assailant.


The majors first impulse was to re-
turn blow for blow. But, fierce aud vi
olent as were his passions, he schooled
himself to complete mastery over them,
and moments reflection told him how
bootless, under the circumstances would
be a public brawl. The indignity he
had received would admit of but one
reparation, and that he determined to
lose no time in seeking.


"The insult is sufficient, he answered,
with forced calmness. "Oblige me by
naming friend"


And the two strangers took their leave
together.


At sunrise on the following morning
the principals and their seconds made
their appearance on the ground select
ed. No one else was present-not q sur
geon. The major, in his own past expe-
rience, never had needed one, and bis
opponent, it was plain, was careless of
the consequences.


There was no necessity of delay. The
preliminaries had been settled. The
parties were to fight with pistols at ten
PAGES, the combat to continue until one
or both had fallen.


One condition had been insisted on
by the stranger which called an indig-
nant blush to the majors cheek, as it
seemed to imply an imputation upon his
honor, though he submitted with the
beet grace he could. It was, that before
placing the combatants the bodies of
both should be inspected to see that no
secret protective device was employed
by either.


The ground was measured and the
men placed. There was marked con-
trast between the two in more respects
than that of years. The old man, erect
and motionless as a statue, his whitened
locks floating in the breeze, never once
looked at his antagonist, though his
side was turned. His face was stern an
determined, but nothing malignant in it.
The major, on the other hand, glared
fercsly at his foe-seemed even to
grudge him the few moments of life yet
eked out to him


"Were he my own father I would kill
him." he answered audibly to some
whispered expostulatioa of his second,
who was evidently touched by the old
mans venerable appearance.


The pistols were put into the hands of
the principals and the giving of the word
explained.


"Gentlemen, are you ready9"


"Ready," both answered.


Still the old man moved not, nor did
he dire,t single glance at his adver-
sary. His eyes were fixed in front. His
attitude was one of rapt attention. He
seemed like one listening intently.


"Fire |"


Without changing the direction Of his
gaze or other movement than that of his
arm, which arose with the precision of a
nicely adjusted machine, the old man
brought his pistol to the level of his
enemy's breast. For an instant he held
it there. Sill the same appearance of
eager listening.


The major was in no hurry. He could
afford to take his time with man who
held his pistol at random, without look
ing witherward. He was determined to
make sure work. If his ball missed his
adversary's heart, even fraction of an
inch, he would never make any preten-
tions to kill again.


The sharp report of the strangers
pistol was followed by convulsive jerk
of the majors arm, causing the dis.
charge of his weapon far wide of his
mark, while he, staggering few PAGES
backward, fell heavily to the ground.


"Conduct me to him." said the mar
to his friend.