Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 316: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE AMERICAN SYNDICATE. brought his heavy hand down upon his _ friend’s shoulder, “ don’t you get huffy with me, Joe Barber. I know you're not lacking in courage, but Lord! Lord! why couldn’t this fire eater have seen fit to pick a quarrel with a military man? It isn’t right, I tell you.” “Old fellow,” said Joe, with an amused smile, “are you objecting to this duel simply because you are jeal- ous that a civilian has the opportunity to face a Spaniard? ”’ The captain cleared his throat. “No, no,” he replied, “I admit a feeling of jealousy, but my opinion with regard to the duel is based upon broader grounds. You are embarking on a business career here, in a time, not exactly of peace, I suppose, but cer- tainly at a time when all hostilities should properly be confined to the mili- tary. You are not a fighting man. You don’t believe in the code, and neither do I for that matter, and in short, Joe, you are risking your life and -career. by accepting this quarrel.” ‘The quarrel was forced upon me, old fellow. Arrange it if you can, but understand I will not recede from my position, such as it is, unless Victor apologizes unreservedly for his asper- sions upon American character.” “ In other words,” put in the captain, “for his insult to the army?” “ Yes, put it that way if you like. His personal affront to me I should like to ignore, although if it came to that, I would dearly love the privilege of cuf- fing him, or kicking him out of my es- tablishment, but as you yourself have said, I am looked upon as a representa- tive American, and upon me unfortu- nately devolves the duty of upholding my country’s fame I'll do the best I can, and if you plead commercial rea- sons in Opposition to my course, I can only say that it is my profound convic- tion that if I should fail in my duty as what these people call a man of honor, I should lose every iota of advantage in a business sense that I have so far suc- ceeded in gaining.” 307 Senor Pino had been sent away from the Syndicate office with much the same ideas with regard to an office building that Don Octavio and his friends had received from Joe with re- gard to a street car line. In other words, the erection of a fine new build- ing was in a fair way to be accom- phshed by Porto Rican capital brought into activity by the Syndicate, and working in conjunction with capital that Joe. confidently expected to inter- est in New York. Mike had delivered the letter to Captain Tooker, and the latter, having had his first interview with the punc- tilious Montoro, had become more ex- cited over the situation than he had been when his command faced the prospect of a battle with the Spanish army on Porto Rican soil. “ I think you’re right,” said the cap- tain now, in a tone of regret, “ but I fear for you. Your courage and spirit are all right, but what do you know about fighting?” Joe did not answer. “As the challenged party,” con- tinued the captain, “ it is your privilege to choose the weapons for the combat. This, of course, on the supposition that [ shall fail to bring about an amicable settlement. As your second, you will permit me to suggest in such a contin- gency, that vou choose pistols.” “Why?” asked Joe. “Well, I don’t want to see you Slaughtered. I remember that when you were a boy you were a very fair shot, and the Spaniards, you know, haven’t got the best reputation in the world for marksmanship.” “On that theory,” suggested Joe dryly, “I should think you would have me choose Krag-Jorgensens at a range of a thousand yards, or, better, six inch cannon at three miles.” “ Don’t talk tommyrot to me!” ex- claimed the captain, flushing, for his sense of the fitness of things was of- fended by Joe’s levity. “ We'll call it pistols, shall we?” he asked, — oo SS CO