Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-04-22
Warren, Saturday Morning, .aprl 20, 1926.

repled with so much good humo ured
drollery, and turned the laugh against
them in manner at once so clever and
so free from asperity. t,at they could
find no fair pretence to insult him. -
The officers af huzzars shook him hear
tily by the hand, and showed SO muck
admiration Of his conduct, that Val.
mont's anger was infiamed to the high
est pitch. What ST. Maur cried he
abruptly addressing one who seemed
the most delighted with La CNoix, you
who have gained your epaulets at the
point Of your sword. you who have SO
many honorable wounds as testimonials
Of your services, can you suffer your
;! self to be dazzied by the frothy moth
ings Of a man who owes his promotion
to favour alone %
| How cried St. Maur, br;skly draw
ing back his chair, which was close to
that Of LA Croix, is it really possible
that you belong to class which all
brave men detest =
| Yes captain it is unfortunately
true that my commission is neither the
10 Aed Of my services, nor the fruit of
the suArages Of my companions. God
knows how often | have regretted that
it should be so, and how impatientIy |
wait for an opportunity Of proving to
my comrades, that am not unworthy
TO march with them under the banners
Of my country
That is all very well for the future,
said ST. Maur coldly but il is nothing
TO the purpose at present. .Valmont
has insulted you and thee is but one
way in which you Can answer him.
What ! aided he more warmly, seeing
that La Crcix remaihed SILENT, would
you prove yourself in,ensiblc to the
honour Of Frehehman He is a
coward, cried the lieutenant.
Without noticing this speech, La
Croix said to ST. Malr, | should indeed
prove myself insensible to honour were
| to commit a base action out | de-
fly the world to prove me guilty Of
one.'
| What, do you not think it tase
to suffer yourself to be called cow
ard ?
No; for if abuse dishonoured man
whose name wouldbe unstained ? The
most ilustrious patriots, the greatest he
roes mi sht then be dishonoured by the
folly of a drunkard, or the infamous
language Of a blackguard"
'Ah pshaw ali this abstract sort OF
reasoning does very well IN the discuss.
ions ofphilosophers, or the writings OF
moraIists but we learn ii different ;es-
son in the school of honour. Ina word
our creed is that an insult leaves Il stain
that can only be elfaced by the blood
of the insulter. Such has always been
the custom of the army and he who
enters it must conform to It's manners
and customs
Il beg your pardon, this custom is
not so ancient as you suppose, Greeks
and Romans---'
sWhst have we TO do with them =
! The customs of France are the only Gus
toms that Frenchnen oughtto follow
1t is clear enough that you must hight
your antagonist or he must apologize to
YOU
Il apologize, said Valmont, No new
err
You must fight then La Croix, or
quit the egiment.'
hope to settle the affair without
doing one or the other, by bringing
back my comrade to sentiments more
| iu t TO me, and more honorable TO HIM
self
He turned to the door but Valmont
called TO him in an imperions tone. be-
fore yon GO expect that you will name
the hour and place where you will
meet me tomorrow to decide our dill
ference
m. Valmont,I know you to be brave
and would willingly think you an hon
durable man. Take then, request
you three days to reflect on this sub
ject. To ask yourself coolly and dis
passionately, how far this thirst for the
blood of man who never injured you
is consistent with true honour. | hope
at the end Of that time to find you in
more just way of thinking. And that
you will assist me to convince the gen.
tlemen, that it is not necessary to shed
blood because "a word has been drop |
ped inconsiderateIy.' At these words
cries of indignation resounded from all
present, and La Croix left the room
while they were swearing ne should
fight or quit the regimenti !. !
The sights with which they had be-
fore treated him With were 49," -.
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