Horatio Alger

“ 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 at stake."
"Then stand by your honor by all means," cried the military man, who, at times, 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. ”

“ Have you served 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 his daughter was the daughter of an army man, one who had gone through many battles. After that he said he was resolved that his daughter should marry 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 major wants a fighter for a son-in-law," and Felix Gussing groaned once more.
"You'll have to become a fighter," said Joe. ”

“ 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 Ulmer Montgomery. "It's an outrage to call me such. Take that, sir!" and he slapped Felix Gussing lightly on the cheek. ”