THE MAN REFUSED TO FIGHT.

North Otago Times, 3 December 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MAN REFUSED TO FIGHT.

A big Frenchman was talking in loud and blustering tones about his many achievements in duelling as he travelled, in cqmpany with several passengers, in the* smoking compartment of one of our railway trains. In the corner opposite to him sat a small man quietly reading a magazine, and to him he leaned over and arrogantly said: "Monsieur, what would you do if you were challenged, to fight a duel ?' "I should refuse," was the unhesitating reply. . "Ah ! ah ! I thought as much. Refuse and be branded a coward ! But if a gentleman offered you the choke of a duel or a public whipping; then what?" . "I'd take the whipping."

"Ah I ah! I thought so from your looks. Suppose*, monsieur, you had foully slandered me 1"

"I never slander."

"Then, monsieur, suppose a man had coolly and "deliberately insulted you; what would you do?" "I'd rise up this way, put down my book this way, reach over like this, and take him ,by the nose, and give it a proper sort of twist-just so!" ■ "

When the little man relinquished his grip of the big man's nasal organ, his neighbours slid away in abject terror, to escape the bullets which would surely be flying at once; but there was no shooting. The big man turned crimson-then whitethen looked the little man over and remarked;

"Ah-certainly-of course - that's it—exactly I"

And then the conversation took a turn on the; prospects of war with Turkey.