The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-08-22

~ itiiS ZIG tuedtIe-"-dIlu as
i'l-luck would have it, he entered a
oox, IN which fierce-Iooking, musta-
ch'oed and whiskered French officer
was seated by the side of a blooming
DemoiselIe.
1t was evident from the appearance
OF the French officer, from the curl
OF his lip, and from the scowl which
gathered on his visage, that he regar-
ded the entrance of Mr.. Dickinson as
an lntruslon-and was determined to
lose no time in picking quarrel with
hum. He saw that Mr.. d. was a for
e'gner, and while the Yankee sailor
was gazing with interest on the
charms Of the beautiful woman before
HIM, who had attractions Of far great
er power than the unmeaning ballet
which was performing, the French Of
hcer, ~ Lorme, with a ferocious
look, and in broken English, insolent-
~ accosted him with--'sI demand why
you have de impudence to look so long
upon that ladyn'
''Because," coolly answered Mr..
Dickinson, 'she is pretty--and l al
ways love to look upon pretty wo-
man.
''But Sare, | shall not let you look
upon that lady, Sare. For that lady
| have regard mooch-and | will not
let her be insulted by any man, while
| have the honor to protect her. If
you please, sare, you shall go out Of
this box, very quick
'.Dont put yourself into passion"
replied Dickinson, with great cool
ness, 81 shall stay where am. lhad
had no intention of insulting the lady
and IT my eyes expressed too plain
iy the admiration which | felt while
gazing on her beautiful features, ! will
humby ask her pardon.''
Entertainment, Monsiem--that is all
right. And you shall ask my pardon
too"
''Never!!' said Dickenson-"I will
ask the lady's pardon, right or wrong
If she wishes it. There never can be
any dishonor in humbling ones self to
a lovely woman, but my politeness
will curry me no further"
"You are one great brute-oui, a
cochon-and if you will so far do me
de honor to step into de lobby, | will
pull your nez, that is your snout, Sare,
until it will look like one grand NOR
ceau of de India rubber
"With pleasure, Monsieur" respon-
ded Mr.. Dickinson, bowling with
much politeness--'sI shall be most hap
Ply to oblige you.''
Thus saying he lightly stepped in
to the lobby, followed by the French
man, whose mustachios seemed to
curl with anger and revenge. AS
soon as they reached the lobby Mon
sieur D. Lorme sought to grasp the
proboscis, and a noble one it was too,
of the too susceptible Yankee-but
he did not succeed quite SO easily as
he expected. Ere his attenuated d.
gifts could close upon the grisly ex-
cresence, he received Il sturdy kick,
which knocked him off his balance and
threw him on his beam ends without
further ceremony!
He arose in a tremendous fury,
drew his sword, and if the by-stand-
ers, and brace of gems d'armes had
not lnterposed, would have attempt
ed to sacrifice Mr.. Dickinson on the
spot. He absolutely toamed with
rage, and performed various antics,
which showed that he was complete
master of attitude and gesture, as we'll
as Of grnnace-and was only pacifed
by the solemn promise of brother Jon
athan, that he would meet him early
the next morning on a beach north OF
the city, and give him honorable sa-
tisfaction with the small sword.
'Good night, Sare," said Monsieur
D. Lorme. 'sTomorrow morning
will have the pleasure to prick one lit
tie hole right through the middle o.
this Yankee Doodle, and teach lin
better than to strike one gent1ehome
so hard with his big foot.''
Some gentlemen who were witnes!
to the scene enacted in the lobby, as
sured Mr.. Dickinson that he ough
not to meet the French officer, who
was gamester and notorious duel
:st-a quarrelsome fellow, who prid
ed himself on bis skill with the small
sword, and had already killed his an
tagonists in three several engage
ments, by running them through the
body. But Mr.. Dickinson, who hac
all the courage Of a Yankee with less
caution than is often found among his
countrymen, cut the matter short by
stating that he had pledged himself to
meet Captain D. Lorme at Z O'Clock
| the next morning, and no anticipa
tons of unpleasant consequences to
himself would induce him to break his
word.
| Mr.. Dickinson was fortunate in
procuring o French gentleman to act
l