CHAPTER XIX.
ONE KIND OF A DUEL.
"Her name is Clara, and she is the daughter of Major Thomas BottsSampson, of the regular army," began Felix Gussing.
"Then her father is a military man."
"Exactly, and that is the trouble," and the dude gave a groan. "It isthis way: When I went to see Major Sampson he greeted me very cordially,until I disclosed the object of my visit.
"'Sir,' said he 'This is a matter which requires consideration. Haveyou gained my daughter's consent?'
"'I have,' I answered.
"'So far so good,' said he. 'But there is one thing more. Have youserved in the army?'
"'No,' said I.
"'Or fought a duel?'
"'No.'
"Then he told me to remember that he had served in the army and that hisdaughter was the daughter of an army man, one who had gone through manybattles. After that he said he was resolved that his daughter shouldmarry only somebody who had proved himself a man of courage."
"What did you do then?" asked Joe, becoming interested.
"What could I do? I am--er--no army man--no fighter. Evidently the majorwants a fighter for a son-in-law," and Felix Gussing groaned once more.
"You'll have to become a fighter," said Joe.
"No! no! I am a er--a man of peace!" cried the dude, in alarm.
"Mr. Gussing, I think I can arrange matters for you," said Joe, struckby a certain idea.
"What can you mean, Joe?"
"I mean that I can prove to Major Sampson that you are a brave man."
"Do that, Joe, and I shall be your friend for life!" gasped the dude.
"Will you wait until to-morrow, Mr. Gussing?"
"Certainly, but do not keep me in suspense too long."
"This may cost you a little money."
"I don't care if it costs a hundred dollars."
"Then I am sure I can fix it up for you," answered Joe.
There was stopping at the hotel a man named Montgomery. He had atdifferent times been an auctioneer, a book-agent, a schoolmaster, anda traveling salesman. He was just now selling curiosities and Joe feltthat he would be only too glad to do Felix Gussing a good turn if hewere paid for it.
Our hero had a talk with this man, and the upshot of the matter was thatMontgomery and the dude were introduced on the following morning.
"I think I can help you, Mr. Gussing," said the curiosity man, who, itmay be mentioned here, was a tall and important-looking personage. "Iwas once in the army."
"What can you do?" questioned the dude, hopefully.
"Will it be worth fifty dollars to you if I aid you in winning theconsent of Major Sampson to wed his daughter?"
"Decidedly."
"This is also Joe's plan, so you will have to pay him, too."
"I don't want any money," put in our hero.
"Joe shall have ten dollars--if your plan wins out. But how is all thisto be accomplished?" continued Felix Gussing.
"We will take the earliest possible opportunity to visit Major Sampson,"said Ulmer Montgomery.
"Well?"
"When we are all together, we'll get into some sort of an argument.You shall call me a fool and I'll slap you in the face. Then you shallchallenge me to a duel."
"A duel! Why, sir, I--er--I never could shoot you, and I don't want tobe shot myself."
"My dear Mr. Gussing, you don't understand me. Don't you comprehend, thepistols shall be loaded with powder only."
"Ah, that's the idea!" exclaimed the dude, much relieved.
"Yes. You see it will only be a sham duel so far as we are concerned,but will, in the most harmless fashion possible, prove you to be a manof honor and courage. Major Sampson's scruples will vanish, and you willhave the pleasure of gaining his daughter's hand in marriage.
"I agree, Mr. Montgomery--the plan is a famous one. Is it yours or is itJoe's?"
"Joe's--but it will fall to me to help carry it out," said theJack-of-all-trades, who did not lose sight of the fifty dollars that hadbeen promised to him.
On the following day Felix Gussing and Mr. Montgomery took themselvesto Major Sampson's residence, where the stranger was introduced as acuriosity hunter from Chicago.
"He wishes to look at your collection of swords," said the dude.
"I shall be delighted to show them," said the major, who was a person ofgreat self-importance.
"Ah, this is a fine sword from the Holy Land," said Mr. Montgomery,handling one of the blades.
"I don't know where it came from," said the major. "It was presented tome by a friend from Boston."
"That is a Russian sword," said the dude. "I know it by its handle."
"That sword is from the Holy Land," insisted Mr. Montgomery.
"Anybody is a fool to talk that way," cried Felix Gussing.
"Ha! do you call me a fool, sir!" stormed Montgomery.
"Gentlemen!" put in the major. "I think----"
"I am not a fool, sir, and I want you to know it!" bellowed UlmerMontgomery. "It's an outrage to call me such. Take that, sir!" and heslapped Felix Gussing lightly on the cheek.
"Gentlemen, this must cease!" cried the major, coming between them. "Inmy house, too! Disgraceful!"
"He has got to apologize to me!" roared the dude, acting his part toperfection.
"Never!" shouted Montgomery.
"If you will not, I demand satisfaction. I--I will fight you in a duel."
"A duel!"
"Yes, a duel. Pistols, at ten paces," went on Felix Gussing.
"Well! well!" came from the major in amazement.
"Can I do less?" demanded the would-be son-in-law. "My honor is atstake."
"Then stand by your honor by all means," cried the military man, who, attimes, was as hot-blooded as anybody.
During the talk the major's daughter had come upon the scene.
"Oh, Felix, what does this mean?" she demanded.
"I am going to fight this--this fellow a duel, pistols at ten paces,"answered Felix, firmly.
"Felix!" she gasped. "You will not, you cannot fight. For my sake, donot."
"Clara," answered the dude, smiling affectionately upon her. "For yoursake I would forego any personal gratification, but I must not suffer astain upon the honor."
"Well said!" exclaimed the major. "Felix is behaving well. I couldn'thave done better myself. I admire his courage and I give him freepermission to wed you after the--the--"
"But father, if he should be killed?" faltered the fair Clara.
"Never fear, Clara; all will go well," interposed Felix.
More words followed, but the dude pretended to be stubborn and so didUlmer Montgomery. Both went off to arrange about the duel, and the majorinsisted upon it that he must be on hand to see the affair come off.
Matters were hurried along with all speed, and it was arranged that theduel should take place on the following morning at ten o'clock, in acountry spot just outside of the city. Joe was invited to go along, andcarried the pistols, and two others were let into the secret, includinga doctor, who went fully prepared to attend to any wounds that might beinflicted.
It did not take long to load the pistols, with powder only. Great carewas taken so that Major Sampson should not suspect the truth.
"Major," said Felix, in a trembling voice. "If I--if anything serioushappens to me tell Clara that--that I died like a man."
"Noble boy! I will! I will!" answered the military man.
"When I give the word, gentlemen, you will both fire!" said one of theseconds.
"Very well," answered both of the duelists.
"Ready? One--two--three--fire!"
Both pistols were simultaneously discharged. When the smoke cleared awayit was ascertained that both parties were unharmed.
"Gentlemen, are you satisfied?" asked the seconds.
"I am," answered Ulmer Montgomery, quickly.
"Then I shall be," put in Felix Gussing. "And now that this affair is atan end, Mr. Montgomery will you shake hands?" he added.
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"With pleasure, Mr. Gussing!" was the reply. "I must say in allfrankness I am sorry we quarrelled in the first place. Perhaps I waswrong about the sword."
"And perhaps I was wrong."
"Both of you were wrong," put in the major. "I hunted up the letter thatcame with the blade. It is an old Spanish weapon. Let us all call theaffair off, and Mr. Montgomery shall come to Clara's wedding to Mr.Gussing."
"With all my heart," cried Montgomery, and there the little plot came toa finish.