The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-07


table dhote, and generally spent a par
OF the evening 10 The public room. Thi
youthful widow, whose name was Dor
val, was precisely that sort of person
whom the men all adore, and the wo
men abuse. The former declared she
was the Ioyeliest and most bewitchlne
OF creatures; and the latter vowed she
had not the smallest claim of beauty.
Whatever were her claims, however,
one thing is certain, the coolest hearts
ionud her irresistible. Her slight bu,
hnely rounded form, though too petite for
dignity, was model of grace. Her fea-
lures could not boast the cold regularity
which, IN the critics eye, constitutes
plexion, the varied expressions of her
sparkling eyes, aud the witching arch
ness OF her smile, rendered her dan
gerous object TO man of sensibiiity.
She had Only been few days at the
hotel, when an English gentleman chanc-
ed TO dine al the public table. He was
struck at the first glance with her
charms, and being well acquainted with
foreign manners, he thought he might
address himself rather freely TO lady
whom he found at table d'hote. He
compiimented her-she replied with
spirit, but with becoming reserve. The
Enghshman, whom we shall call Mill
borne. became every moment more fas-
cinated. Puzzled, however, by the APP
parent Inconsistency in her situation and
manners. he asked if she would accom-
pany him TO the theatre she refused
IN tone which showed plainly that she
considered the proposal an insult. "Ve-
ry well, p" cried MiIlborEe, pulling out
an elegant snuff-box, "lheD you shall
take pinch of snuff" Il never take a
pinch of snuff, SIR cried the widow,
turning up her pretty little nose, with
an air of ineffable disdain, $50 much
the worse, madam; you lose one of the
greatest pleasures in life. have tried
all sorts Of enjoyments; one thing ia
tlgued, another disguised me; this plea
sure brought repentance, and that sa-
tlety. At last determined TO look out
for something of which / should not
tire. Ii suddenly struck me that in my
fits Of Yexation and ennui, had found
occasional relief from a pinch of snuff !;
so became "A snuff-taker i've years ago,
and from that time TO the present have
had no ennui. Come, madam, let me
advise Jeu 20 try NY remedy for THIS
distemper, with which we are all visit
ed more or less"
Il have no occasion for it, replied
the lady, coldly, ! am not troubled with
ennui. and il, | were, should think
there are better means of dispelIing it.
:" Name them, madam, if you please.''
Reading, reflection, the offices of be-
neyolence, the pleasures Of society,"
"Ah, madam, 1 have tried all that i,
reading Sc, me 10 sleep; reflection made
my head ache; 6enevolence | own is
pretty well, but one cannot occupy
ones self in that way from morning till
night; as to The pleasures Of society,
have been cheated by one half of my
acquaintance, and laughed at by the
other. am therefore not very favor
ably disposed TO mankind So you see,
madam, have nothing left for it but to
amuse myself in this way )" and open
ing his snuf-box he took pinch and pre-
scented il to her.
Thoroughly provoked at what she
considered objectionable rudeness, she
rose to leave the room. Nay, madam.
cred Millborne, you must not go in az
GER 9 am not angry, SIR" cried the
lady, then trying TO disengage her hand
which he had taken hold of. You for,
give me, then?' eyes, replied she
but not in the most placid tone in tbs
world. Very well, then, to prove tina
| you don't bear malice, take pinch o
snuff
At these words the widows patience
and temper both iorsook her, she turs
into fears. Some of the gentlemen
present then advanced, and one Of then
Comte de s. asked Millborne in
HANG d fsr-Ln., --I---. ir~- uiGdut by Insult
ing the lady. The Euglishman imme
diately took fire he replied in ton
of defiance which frightened MADAM
| Dorval. She endeayored TO stihe tn
dispute, by protesting she was not o.
Tended; but the gentlemen were bot
too hot headed to be easily ;,acitied
they dissembled their resentment till III
widow had left the room; but as 500
as she did, the dispute was renewed
10 few minutes il rose to such heigt
that meeting was arranged for the 70
lowing morning; and thus for no create
cause than lady's refusal to take
pinch OF snuff; two men who were nc
destitute either Of common sense 9
. principle, SO far in their anger forge
both, as TO be guilty of the folly and in
, piety of risking theil own, and seekin
each others life.
; Both, perhaps repented when Il!
} challenge was given add accepted b