After which the stretcher and the band. In lurid contrast with this delicate flirtation, we have an account of a deadly duel of day before yesterday in Italy, where the earnest Austrian duel is in vogue. I knew one of the principals, Cavalotti, slightly, and this gives me a sort of personal interest in his duel. I first saw him in Rome several years ago. He was sitting on a block of stone in the Forum, and was writing something in his notebook--a poem or a challenge, or something like that--and the friend who pointed him out to me said, “That is Cavalotti--he has fought thirty duels; do not disturb him.” I did not disturb him. SKELETON PLAN OF A PROPOSED CASTING VOTE PARTY (1901) NOTE.--Mark Twain’s effort was always for clean politics. In 1901 he formulated what to him seemed a feasible plan to obtain this boon. It is here first published.--A. B. P. ITS MAIN OBJECT To compel the two Great Parties to nominate their _best man_ always. FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES With the offices all filled by the best men of either of the two Great Parties, we shall have good government. We hold that this is beyond dispute, and does not need to be argued. DETAILS 1. The C. V. Party should be _organized_. This, in order to secure its continuance and permanency. 2. Any of the following acts must sever the connection of a member with the Casting Vote party: The seeking of any office, appointive or elective. The acceptance of a nomination to any such office. The acceptance of such an office. 3. The organization should never vote for _any but a nominee of one or the other of the two Great Parties_, and should then cast their _entire vote_ for that nominee. 4. They should have no dealings with minor parties. 5. There should be ward organizations, township, town, city, congressional district, state and national organizations. The party should work wherever there is an elective office, from the lowest up to the Presidency. 6. As a rule, none of the organizations will need to be large. In most cases they will be able to control the action of the two Great Parties without that. In the matter of membership, quality will be the main thing, rather than quantity.