The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-10

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said Mentz, partly hushed by astonishmenl;
and art thou tired Of life that thou hurriest on
so blindly TO bloody pillow Boy drink,
as have told thee, TO Gertrude, iairest Of the
fair And his huge round eyes opened, IKE
those OF bull, upon daring victim,
!" .That Gertrude dc Saal3 is fair and
lovely. cried the youth rising. may not be de-
MED by me. But demand by what mis-
chance / find her name this night common at
n hoard Of rioters, and polluted by the lips OF
a drunkard and a ruffianP
".By the bones of my faiher,' said Mentz,
in a tone of deep and deadly anger, which
had ere then appalled, many stout heart
.by the bones Of my own head. But said
he, observing that the youth instead Of COW
ering, bore himself more loitily, what folly
is his Drink, lad, drink and hurt thee
not love thy gallant bearing, and my game
is moi such as thou.
He added this with wavering manner
which had never been Witnessed in him, for
never before had he been opposed so calmly
and so iiercely I; and, for moment, he quaied
bcneath the fiery chances darted at him from
one whom he supposed neeker than the
dove. But, ashamed Of his transient fear he
added
"'Come to me, poor child Bring with
thee thy goblet-bend at my foo,-quaf it as
sid, and-out Of PITY spare thy young
head
What was the establishment OF the COM
pany on beholding, Arnold, as il efectnally
awed by moments reflection, and the fero-
cious enmity Of so celebrated and deadly a
foe, actually do as he was commanded. lie
rose, took the cup, slowly approached the seat
of his insnltcr, knelt and raised the rim TO his
lips Murmurs of shame, shame, poltron,
coward 7 came hot and thick from the group
of spectators who had risen IN the excite
ment of their curiosity, and stood eagerly
bending forward. with every eye fixed upon
the object Of their contempt A grim smile
of savage triumph distorted the features OF
Mentz, who shouted with hoarse and drunk
en- laugh
:. Drink deep-down with ito the
dregsn
ARNOLD however, only raised the rim to
his lips, and waited moments silence, with
an expression so scornful and composed
that the Kisses and EXPLANATIONS were again
quelled; when every sound had ceased to
dead silence.
"sNeyer,' he said, shall refuse to drink
to the glory of name | once loved and ho-
nored--Gerrude, fairest OF the fair, But
he added, suddenly rising and drawing up his
figure, witha dignity that silenced every BREATH
for thee, thou drunken, Dragging, foolish
beast! | scorn-l spit upon defy thee,
and thus be punished thy base, brutal inso-
lence, and thy stupid presumption
AS he spoke he dashed the contents Of
the ample goblet full into the face OF Mentz
and then, with all his strength. hurled the
massy goblet itself at the same mark. The
giant reeled and staggered few PAGES back,
and, amid the shining liquor on his drenched
clothes and dripping features, stream Of
blood was observed to trickle down his fore
head.
"Never before was popular feeling more
suddenly and violently reversed. The object
of their viest execrations flashed upon them
with The immediate brightness of superior
being loud and irrepressible burst Of APP
plause broke from every lip, till the broad aud
heavy ralters above their heads, and the
very foundation Of the floor shook and trem-
bled.
'But the peal of Joy and appreciation soon
ceased; for although this inspiring drama had
so nobly commenced, it was uncertain how it
might terminate Before the iyrant recover
ed from the stunned and bewldered trance
into which the blow, combined with shame,
grief, astonishment, and drunkenness, had
thrown him, several voices, after the obstrepe-
rous calls for silence usual on such occasions,
addressed the youth, who stood cool and erect,
with folded arms, waiting the course of
events.
- Brave Arnold Noble Arnold A gal
liant deed! The blood of true gentleman
in his veins y
90 But canst thou fight cried one.
- am only a simple student, and an ar
list by profession. have devoted myself to
the pencil-not the sword
"' But thou oanst use it little--ccnst
not 2 asked another.
g. But inditierently,' answered the youth
"' And how art thou with pistol :! de-
na,led third
"t My hand is unpracticed,' replied Ar
nofd, i have no skill in shedding human
bio ID
- Fore heaven then, rash boy, what has
tempted thee TO this fatal extremity 2
SO Hatred Of oppression replied the youth,
in all its forms, and willingness to die
rather than submit to insult
90 Die then thou shalt! and that ere to-
morrow's sun shall set y Numbered Mentz,
starting up in phrenzy, and with hoarse
and broken voice that made the hearts OF the
hearers shudder as if al the howl Of dog or
demon. Il challenge thee to mortal COM
bat
"'And | accept the challenge
80 1t is for thee 10 name time, place and
weapon but as thou lowest me, let it not be
longer than tomorrow night or shall burst
with rage and impatience.
"'l love thee not, base dog replied Ar
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