Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-07-17
"A TRUE STORY.
TIE sLoUCIiED HAT.

s'as 's@Ct1ittsb IAt
In the year To-. there appeared
in the goodly town Of Boston. one Mon
sieur lie Cain, who from the account he
gave oil himself. came TO sojourn among
them Tor the purpose OF instructing the
sober aud staid citizens. in the :" noble
science Of defence" lie took lodg-
ings in King street, At the sign Of the
Cat-and Parrot. from whence he issued
his cards: giving notice. that At all
hours Of the day. he held himself in rea-
diness at bis room, TO give lessons in the
noble exercise Of the broad-sword. At
the bottom Of his bills was appended
the following: ANY gentleman who is
so good as TO join in the amusement.
and escapes without three cuts and par
ry TO one attempt, will be entitled 10
twelve lessons gratis" This boast
drew forth at once the pride and feel g.
ing Of all the young blades in town
who had ever ''don'j glove" or handled
foil; ard many in consequence we're
the encounters with the dapper French
man. II was all in vain the activity
and skill Of Monsieur. carried him
through all triumphant. This success.
tiekled his pride and to crafty hiss van
lty, or more perhaps to extend his &C.
lebrliy, and to increase the number Of
has pupils. he caused stage to be erect
ed on the common. upon which he dai-
iy appeared. armed 'cap apie," giving
challenge. that he was ready then and
there to contend with naked blades n
gainst all Corners. This was q ceoier
to engage in friendly passage with
buttoned Tolls where nothing was er-
posed but their vanity. was what had
been and could be endured BY the young
giadIators of the town; but To face this
gunpowdcr Captain of the Louises in
mortal combat. was not for moment 20
be thought Of. No one ever dreanpt OF
attempting Titus Monsieur La
Cain had his stage entirely TO himself,
upon which he continued daily TO re
new his challenge. give point aud cut d.
rect upon the empty air.
IL was at one Of those daily exhibi
tons. when an unusually large number
were looking on TO witness his dexter
ity IN cutting and ilourishing. and liste-
ming to the oft-repeated challenge. that
a man slept from out of the crowd, and
very coolIy walking forward. drew his
glove from his hand and cast il upon
the platform. in token Of his acceptance
OF the challenge. lie was completely
developed in a large dark coloured
cloak oil course materials. which. IN the
act OF drawing his glove. fell open. and
disclosed to the view Of the astonished
bystanders, a pohdcrouS broad sword
buckled TO his thigh. that, Judging
from its size. would be useless in any
but the hands Of :. Willie Wallace or
- Douglass Of the bloody heart. -
This, together with slOuohed hat, con
siituted the whole of his visible cos
tune. lie appeared rather above the
common size, with a fotm that demo.
ted great strength and activity.
The FTenchnln Ct first appeared
utterly eonfoUndsd at this unlocked
for occurrence but recovering him
sell IN moment. be. with the polite
ness and uIbanIty Of his nation, invi.
ted hts daring opponent TO ascend the
stage. The bystanders. when they
had recovered from their surprise al
the challenge Of lie Cain being aceep-
tel, were very eager 10 ascertain who
this fearless being was. "Who is he:''
and and what ~ hes" were questions
reiterated from one 10 anOther; but
Who hO was. OF what he Was, no one
knew, anil none could tell. No one
had observed him until he had sesa
rated from the crowd 10 accept the
challenge. As for lie Cain. when he
found himself driven 90 the issue upon
his own terms, with crowd Of stiffness
es, among whom we're a number Of has
pupils, and ali 81 whom had heard his
repeated boasi,ngs, he vas determined
that this unknown. who. 10 his opinion,
vas hoping 10 disgrace him. should
pay dear for lie temerity With these
thoughts 10 BIS mind, he addressed
the stranger: You shall play q bloO-
dy gams Tor this. sr broad bfim. -
" mhere. replied the unknown, ia q
calm and clear voice, - to punish a
vain boast let the result be % God
Wills" Well spoken" said I.s
Cain, his face reddeninR with pasaVn
81 the strangers GOODNESS, +" bat src
you awars that your opponent j. the
best sWordsman 10 the cogriry."-