The Reserved Shot

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In the year 1815, at the camp of Grenoble, the old soldiers of Napoleon and the young officers of the king are banqueting. A sensational telegram brings joy among the one and consternation among the other. Napoleon has landed at the Gulf Juan. There the sent to stop him have refused to fight and have followed him towards the north. An old soldier quarrels with a King's officer. Blows are exchanged, and a duel arranged. Each duelist is to have one shot. On the next day, the duel takes place, the king's officer shoots and misses. The old soldier, instead of firing, says he will use his chance at a later day. Ten years have passed. The king reigns again in France. The royal officer has forgotten his duel. It is his birthday and his wife and children are giving to him their best wishes, when a man comes with a card. It is a card from his almost forgotten opponent demanding him to continue the duel begun ten years earlier. The officer kisses his wife and children and leaves them in tears. At the meeting place the Napoleonite is ready to shoot when the royal officer's little boy arrives, and beseeches the soldier to do no harm to his father. The boy's plea is successful.