The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1835-08-01


His friendship was courted by all for
to be his enemy was to lie in bloody
grave. At length, grown fearless Of be-
ing called to account, he took pride in
insulting strangers, and even women
heaven help us-wherever those musta-
choes showed themselves every opponent
abandoned the ground. 1t was, at least,
really dangerous to have sweet-hcart
for out of pure bravado Mentz would
push forward, make love to the lady,
frighten her swain, and either terrify or
faisinate herself. Should the doomed
lover offer resistance, he had no more TO
do but call surgeon ; and happy enough
he considered himself if he escaped with
the loss Of his teeth or an eye. He had
killed four mcn who never injured him
wounded seventeen, and fought twenty
duels He once challenged a whole
club, who had black -balled hlm anony-
mously and paciied only by being re-
admitted Though all the members imme-
dately resigned, and the club was broken
up.
"At last there came youth into tho
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., quiet, and boyish
looking, with handsome face, though
somewhat pale. His demeanor, though
generally shy, was noble and self pos
sessed. He had been but short time
among us, however, before he was set
down as a cowardly creature, and prime
game for the "deviIs broke loose" az the
gang of Mentz termed themselves. The
coy youth stunned all the riots and re-
vels Of the universty-insulted no one !;
and il his mantle brushed against that Of
another, apoIogized so Immediately, SO
gracefully, and so gently, that the devil
himself could not have fixed a quarrel
upon him. 1t soon appeared, too that
Gertrude, the lovely daughter of the Ba-
ron de !Saale, the toast Of the country
upon whom the most Of US had gazed as
on something quite above us--it soon ap-
peared that the girl loved mis- youthful
stranger. Now Mentz had singled Ger
trude out for himself, and avowed his pre-
ference publicly. Arnold, for thus was
the Young student called. was rarely, if
ever, tempted to our leasts bui once he.
came unexpected on a casual invitation.
To the great surprise and interest of the
company Mentx himself was there, and
seated himself uubashed at the table, tho
and unbdden guest The strongest Gu
riosity at once arose to witness the re-
rsuk for Mentz had sworn that Ia would !
compel Arnold, OH their meeting, to beg
pardon on his knees for the audacity Of
having addl essed his mistress 1t had not
appeared that Arnold knew any thing of
Mentz's character, for he sat cheerfulIy
and 9aily at the board with SO much Of the
manners Of high-born gentleman, that
every one admitted at once his goodness,
his grace, and his beauty and regretted
the abyss on the brink of which he un-
consciously stood.
"'What no - at length shouted
Mentz, as the evening had little ad-
vanced, that the wine began TO mount, ca q
toast ! Come-drink it all and he who
refuses is poltroon and coward. I
quaf' this goblet fill to the brim to the
health and happiness Of Gertrude de
SaaIe the faIrest Of the fair Who
says he knows fairei is a black liar,
and will write the word on his forehead
with red hot brand
Every goblet was emptied but one,
which stood untasted untouched. On
perceiving this, the ruflian leaning for /.
ward, fixed his eyes on the cup, struck
his brawny hand down 6ercely on the
liable which returned laundering clash
and rattle, and then repeated, in a voice
husky with rage
"There is cup full by St. Anthony !
will make the owner swallow its mea-
sure of mouten lead, If il remain one in
slant longer
"'Drlnk it, Arnold drink it boy
keep thy hand out Of useless broils,'
whispered a student near him; rather adj
vanced in age.
"Drink, friend y muttercd another
1ryly, 'or he will no, be slow in doing his
hrea,, Ipromise thee.'
"'Empty the cup = cried third me
,er frown and turn pale, or thy young
,ead will lie lower than thy feet ere to-
sunset
"HI, is Mentz the duelst,' said a
ourh. 'Dost thou not know his wonder
us skill. He will kill thee us if thou
vert deer, if thou oppose him in his
vine. lie IL more merciless than a wild
BOAR. Drink, man, drink = Dujing
his interesting scene, the youth had re-
nained mo,ionles., cool, and silent. A
Iigh, pallour, but evidently more Of in
gnation than fear came over his hand
ONE features and his eyes dilated with
motion, resting full and firm upor
'lentz.
"I,y the mass, gentlemen y he said At
myth, Il am n stranger here, and ,gno-
mt Of the manner prevalent in univelsi-
es; but il yonder person be SANE, and
lis no joke