The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-02-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Bizarre Fables.
THE MAN OF HONOR.


B1 THE AUTHOR OF "JEsT AND EARNEST
"shall guips, and sentences. and these paper
bullets of the brain awe man from the career OF
his humor."
SuAEsrEARE.
The cloth was drawn, the vice and des
sert we're pot on, and Frederic Willis, sea.
ted at the head Of his table, looked on as
merry ser OF fellows as ever were gather.
ed round mahogany.
The master Of ihe feas, was % years
old, and possessed twice as many thousand
pounds as he numbered years. To be
young is plsasan. enougb-but to be both
young aud rich is extreme happiness
The father OF Frederic Willis mol only gave
bis son lie, bu; bequeathed him money C.
nough to enjoy HE. Ii II be unlawful 10
pray for the soul of such father, il Is a
gFea, deficiency in the Protestant religion,
aad sad denial 20 grateful heirs. a We
~ ratiuna! mode OF gratitude indeed II
is to basi IL your sunny destiny, and
spiriledly spend the money; bat al occa-
sioaal libaiion TO the donor n Heaven IS
graceful and genlemanly. Ii can do you
no barm--aod who knows what good it
may do youl Your rich uncle may be
pleased.
Frederic Willis had but lately begun
bis career. So far he had proceeded with
moderation and good sense; but a danger
threatens bin this evening. On his RICH,
hand IS seated Captain Filz Osborne, d
newly made acquaintance, and one not We
~ creditable.
Captain Fi.z Osborne, was tall and
stout man. His coun,enauce was comIcal
~ fcrocious. Nature had intended him for
a fool oaly-but he had succeeded, b.
much stady and pans in superaddng the
bully. lie had loud voice, staggering
gait, an imperlous eye, and large and
well dyed pair of black muslachios, which
he had habit of continually twirIlng with
bis thumb and fore. finger. he was sol
der by profession, and gambler as an
amateur. lie could not live on his pay,
aud be though. dexieri,y IN play as easy
and credlteble way Of increasing his IN.
come as any other. The resul, proved bis
judgment correct. His purse was als avs
well stored and he was received without
srruple into the best society.
just about this time, however, suspicion:
were whispered about, in a very low tone,
indeed, that the gallant Captain vas IN.
debted more TO his linesse Than to bis
dexterity or good fortune for bis success,
and in fact he vas lltIie better than black
leg. As these suspicious were whispered
10 50 low tone, the captain Of course was
not obliged TO hear them but though he
betrayed no cognrzance Of such disagreed.
be reports, he was too well aware Of their
Circulation, and felt tha. the time had come
for grand coup de maia, and retirement.
tie marked out Frederic Willis as the
victim. Forty thousand pounds were IN
the hands Of very inexperienced keeper,
and be hoped that i! would be no difficult
matter TO transmit this snug fortune 10 the
custody OF one who veil knew its virtue
oven Captain Fig Osborne. He contriyed
TO get introduced to young Willis, and soon
atter he conirlyed 10 lose to him sum no
less than three thousand pounds. Il sas
after dinner and much champagne, al the
Captains own lodgings, that this artfu loss
took place, and Fhz Osborne could scarce
ly help laughing as he saw Wills depart 10
deirium Of Joy at his first successful
stroke IN gaming. The Captain was inyi.
ted by willis ~ return. Two or three
friends, be said would meet him, but this
would not prevent han from giving him hi.
revenge. Fhz Osborne assenled 10 this ar
rangenant cheer!ully. Ilo made % his
nind to lose again, but TO small extent
SO as net To excite attention IN those p,es.
cut; then with another quie, evening a, his
own lodgings, be calculated on finlshino the
business. Ii was essential 10 be prorn,.
for though Willis, he trusted, had not vet
heard The reports 10 his prejudice. there
was every dagger that he would do so be
fore long.
And nos the second evening Of this well
arranged series was IN progress. The
cloth was dr4wu-the SINE and dessett
were put on, aud after dianer had cafa
Jest, laugh and song followed. Athal
coffee appeared aad frederic, knocking on