The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-09-16


knees for the audachy of having addressed his mis-
tress IL had not appeared that Arnold knew any
thing of Mentzs character for he sat checriully aud
gayly at the board with so much the manners oi
ng-b born gentleman, that every one admitted at once
his goodness, his grace, and his bcaury and regret
ted the abyss the brink of which he unconscious
ly stood.
What no = at length shouted Mcnz, as the
evening had little advanced, and the wine began
to mount: a toast Come-drnk it all and he
who refuses isia poroon and a coward. lquaif this
oolet-GlI 70 the brm-to lhc health and happiness
of Gertrude DC Saae-the farest of the fair who
says he knows a fairer is black liar, and / will
write the word on his forehead with red hot brand
Every goblet cmptied but one, which stood
untastcd-untouched On perceiying this, the ruff
fan leaned forward, fixed his eyes on the cup,
struck his brawny band down ferccly the table,
which returned laundering crash and rattle, and
then repeated, in voice husky with rage
"Thcrc is a cup full by St. Anthony | will
make the owner swallow its measure of molten lead
If it remain thus one instant longer
"sDrink it, Arnold--drnk it, boy; keep thy
hand out Of useless bros,' whispered student near
him, rather advanced in age.
"'Drnk, friend muttered another, dryly, for he
will not be slow in doing his threat, promise thee,
80 Empty the cup, man cried a third; never
frown and turn pale, thy young head VIII lie low
or than thy feet ere to-morrows sunset
"' 1t is Mcnlz the ducIlst,' said the fourth
L Dost thou not know his wondrous skill. lie will
kill thee if thou. .wer deer, if thou oppose hn
in his wine. He is mcrcllcSs than wild bear
Drink, man, drink =
"Durng this interesting scene, the youth had re-
manned molionlcss, cool, and silent slight pal
Iour, but evidently more of indignation than fear,
came over his handsome features; and his eyes dill
tcd with emotion, resting full and firm upon Mcntz
Isv tIa bp said at IpuUtb
am a stranger here, and ignorant of the man
prevalent in universities but if yondcr person
be sane, aud this no Joke y
"' Joke !'thundercd Mentz, foaming at the lip.
GO must tell you that come from part of the
country where neither give nor take such Jokes,
or such insults
"' Hast thou taken leave Of thy friends :? said
Mcntz partly hushed by asonishmcnt; and art
thou tired of life that thou hurriest on 80 blindy to
a bloody pillow Boy drink, as have told thee,
to Gertrude, faircst of the fair And his huge round
eyes opened, like those of bull, upon daring VIC
tim.
"'That Gertrude dc Saalo is fair and lovely
cried the youth rising, may not be denied by me.
But demand by what mischancc | find her name
this night common at board of rioters, and pollu-
ted by the lips of n drunkard aud ruiIanP
"' BY the bones of my father SAID Mcntz, in a
tone of deep and dire anger, which had ere then APP
u
father, your fate is sealed BE your blood upon
your own hcad.--But,' said he, observing that the
youth, instead of covering, bore himself more loft
Iy, what folly is this Drink, lad, drink and |
hurt thee not love thy gallant bearing, and my
game is not such as thou
" lie added this with n wavcring manner which
had never been witnessed in him, for never before
had he been opposed so calmly and SO icrcely and,
for Il moment, he quacd beneath the fiery glanccs
dartcd at him from one whom he supposed mcckcr
than the dove But, ashamed of his transient fear
he added:
a. Come to me, poor child Bring with thee thy
goblct-bend at my foot-quaf it as l said, and
out of PITY spare thy young head
"What was the astonlshmCnt of the company on
beholdng Arnold, as if ciicctually awed hy a mo-
ments reflection, and the lcrocouS enuity of eel
cbratcd and deadly foe, actually do rs he was
communicable rose, took the cup, slowly APP
preached the seat of his insultcr, knct and raised
the rim, to his lips. Murmurs of shame, shame
poltroon, cowardn came hot and thick from the
group OF spectators who had arisen in the excite
ment of their curiosity, and stood eagerly bending
forward, with every eye fixed upon the object of then
contempt. A grim smc of savage triumph dstort-
ed the features of Mcntz who shouted, with hoarsC
and drunken laugh
"'Drink dcop-- down with ito the drcgs"
"Arnold, however, only raised the rim to his lips
and waited moments silence, with an expression
so scornful aud composed that the hisscs and cXca
nations were again qucllcd; when every sound ha,
ceased TO dead silence:
"Ncyer,' bc said, shall | refuse to drink to tn,
glory of n name once loved and honorcd-Gcr-
trudc, faires of the fair But, he added, suddenly
rising and drawing up his figure, with dignity tha
sicnccd every BREATH for thee, thou drunken, brag
ging, foolish beast scorn-i spit upon-I defy
thee and thus be punished thy base, brutal inso-
Icncc, aud thy stupid presumption
Gas he spoke he dashed the contents of the am
pie goblet full into the face of Mcntz; and then
with all his strength, hurled the massy goblet itsel
at the same mark. The giant rcelcd and staggcret
few PAGES back, and, amid the shining liquor OF
his drcnchcd clothes and dripping features, stream
of blood was observed to tricklc down his forehead
"Neyer before was popular feeling more suddenl,
and violently reversed. The object of their vcs