Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-10-20

at Brussels arrived :. hose in that city where
she took lodgings. She dined the public table, and
passed portion of her evenings in the common paror
Madame Duval such was the name OF the lady, was
one of those persons with whom men are prone 70 ia
in love sight but who the objects OF dislike to
those of their own The former pronounced ner
the most attractive and fascinating OF women whist he
latter unwilling admit that she had the slightest
preienslon beauty. However that might DC, she was
not long in captivating the hearts even OF the most IN
sensible. Her form round and light though small was
perfect model of her feature had not is true
that cold regularity which in the eyes of protested cr
tics constitutes beauty but the briliiancy OF her com
plexon the varying expression OF her eyes which dis
ncy mirrored every feeling OF her soul her sweet and
insnuang smile, rendered her as irresistible as dam
gerous 10 the peace Of all those Of the rougher who
possessed the least susceptibility She had been but
few days a, the hotel when the company received an
accession in the person OF foreign gentleman who had
just arrived in the city
This individual who we shall call Melbourne, was,
like every one else struck with her charms Not be-
ing exactly familiar with the OF the country ne
conceived from having her ut the public
he might address her without strictly adhering to cere
monious forms. He rendered few compliments, 10
which she replied with equal modesiy and intelligence.
The stranger, though embarrassed by the aparcc
tradicon which observable between hef manners
and situation ventured 10 propose conducting her 10 the
theatre. The manner in which the proposai was re,
ceived made il very evidentto him that she regarded
ii insult.
Very well. madam" said the stranger taking mag
nifcent snuff box from his pocket "very wei but at
least, take pinch of snuf.
II do not use it, SIR replied the lady, turning aside
her beautiful head with an air'of d,sdam
So much the worse, madam-the more the pity
YOU lose of the greatest enloynens oil HE nave
tried every thing that the world calls pleasure and have
become weared and disguised with IL AL. One grath-
cation is followed by repentance and another brings
with il safety In short know Of nothing which IN my
fits of melancholy has given me such instant reef as
pinch of snuff offered by companion. II IS now i've
years that / have been a confirmed snuif aker, ana
l..s .ts.v ed nv
the numerous ills to which all subject in great
er less degree. Come, madam, try my remedy
take pinch"
thank you, sir replied the lady coldy. do not
exper fence the evils of which you speak, and II telt
them believe there other rationa. and eiiica-
cous means of combating them
Name them, madam. Tell me what they are, IT
you please"
Reading, meditation, active benevolence and the
pleasures of society"
"Ah, madam, lave tried all that. Reading makes
me sleepy, and meditation gives the blues the prac-
tice of charity grant you pleasant enough but then
we cannot exercise it from morning till night As to the
pleasures of society, have been cheated by one half
of my friends and laughed by III" other half conse-
queniy find but few charms in society You see then,
plainly madam that my only resource is my snuif-box-
Come, take pinch"
The lovely widow, highly incensed at what she con-
sidered objectionable afront with the intention
Of quitting the
.'Ah madam" cried Melbourne striving to detain
her. edo not leave me in anger"
AZ am not angry, sir" said the widow endeavoring
TO disengage her hand
"You pardon me, then 7"
Yes sir" replied she, though III a tone which evin
ced great deal Of dissatisfaction.
Well then to prove that you do not bear me any i'll
will, will you take pinch I!
At these words the patience of Madame Duval com
petey abandoned her, and she burst into tears The
gentlemen who were present forward, and one of
them Count de S. addressing himselfto Melbourne
asked him haughtly by what right he had permitted
himself insult respectable lady The stranger, IA
king fire this, replied in menacing tone which terri
fed Madame Duval much that she forced herself to
calm her rraed feelings and declare that she had not
taken offence at what had passed. The two bellige
they however smothered their resentment in presence
Of the lady but proved, only to with greater
violence when she had left the The quarrel was
finally carried TO such an extremity thatan appointment
fer the next morning the result
Thus, because a lady had refused pinch of snuff,
two men, otherwise deficient in good sense, were
about to put their lives in peril and mutually endeavor
TO destroy each other.
II is more than probable that both repented them
selves but according the fantastic laws Of honor, IL
late retraci, the challenge having been given
and accepted Melbourne retired alone TO his room,
several letters, and then paced his chamber alb
sorbed in thought specializing upon the probable result
Of the meeting Of the ensuing morning.
He was aroused from his revery by strong odor. as
of smoke and opening the door. he perceived that the
stairway was filed with it His first movement TO
give the alarm In few moments, al the inhabitants
of the house their feet and Fastening to es-
cape Melbourne descended the stairs, and found near
" all of them assembled before the door OF the hotel
from every part Of which the flames were now hercely
bursting out Perceiving the Count he ran to him to
enquire for Madame Duval. They sought her in vain
in the crowd she not one OF the number who
had escaped from the hotel.
my God" cried the master Of the house, she IS
lost see her chamber IL all on fire y
"A ladder" said Melbourne, "quick for the love Of
God bring ladder"
1--WE have none. and IL we could find one il would
be uselessyou would but perish without being able to
save her.r
IL will least attempt it," replied he, and the
same time he broke from the grasp # the Count who
seeing that it would be running into destruction sought
to hold him back, and rushed into the flames.
1.-THE unfortunate will be lost cried the alright
ed spectators.
No, believe i. not said the Count. heaven will
not permit it," and the instant he recolectea
having SEEN in the morning, a ladder short distance
from the hotel he to look for it, and in few mo
rnents il placed against the window when they
Melbourne, bearing in his arms the widow who had
swooned.
the ground with his precious burden.
God be praisedr echoed the spectators with min.
gled feelings Of Joy and horror, for the moment
the floor Of the which they rad Just left fell thro
with frightful crash.
Melbourne had found Madame Duval lying nsensi.
BILE upon the bed he had enveloped her in a coverlet
to protect her from the fire. but had suffered drcadully
himself He left her TO the of the women Of the
house. and went with the Count to seek place of
fuge for her Finding near at hand they quickly
returned and conducted her to her new abode.