254 DUEL. 



sequently, I found myself in an awful 

 scrape ; but thinking there was nothing like 

 being open and honest, I at once told him 

 it would not be in my power to comply 

 with his wishes. 



" Why not, Sir ? " 



I told him there were many obstacles. 

 "In the first place, I acknowledge to 

 you I do not move in that circle where the 

 practices you seem so well acquainted with 

 are known." 



" Do you mean to say you are not a gen- 

 tleman ? " 



"Not in the .sense you understand that 

 term." 



" Then you have no business here." 



" But I am admitted here, and no objec- 

 tion has ever been made to me on account 

 of my profession." 



"And what may that profession be, Sir? " 

 he demanded. 



" Why, sir," I replied, " I drive a stage- 

 coach, and shall be wanted to fulfil my 



