Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-06-09


hurriest on so blindly TO a bloody pillow !
Boy! drink, as have told thee, to Ger
nude flares, Of the fair! And his huge
round eyes opened. like those of bull,
upon a daring victim.
| "Fhat Gertrude de Saale is fair and
lovely cried the youth, may not be de-
MED by me. Butt demand by what
mischance find her name this night COM
mon at a board Of rioters, and polluted by
/ the lips of a drunkard and rnffian 2
by the bones of my father said
Mentz. in tone of deep and dire anger.
which had ere then appalled, many stout
heart. by the bones of my father, your
doom is sealed Be your blood on your
own head. But said he, observing that
the youth, instead Of covering, bore him>
self more lofty, what folly is this -
Drink. lad, drink and hurt thee no.
love thy gallant bearing. and my game is
not such as thou
He added this with wavering man.
ner which had never before been witness.
ed in him, for never before had he been
opposed so calmly and so fiercely; and,
for moment, he quailed beneath the fie>
ry glance darted at him from one whom
he supposed meeker than the dove.
| +" But, ashamed of his transient fear, he
added -
"Come to me, poor child Bring with
thee thy goblei-bend at my foot-quaf
it as have sad-out Of pity, spare thy
young head
"What was the astonishment Of TIL.
company on beholding Arnold. as if effect
ually awed by moments reflection. and
the ferocious enmity of SO celebrated and
deadly foe, actually do as he was COM
manded. He rose, took the cup, slowly
approached the seat of his insulter-knelt
and raised the rim to his lips.-Murmers
Of shame, shame, poIroon. coward !!
came hot and thick from the group Of
spectators, who had ariaen in the excite.
ment of their curiosity. and stood eagerly
bending forward, with every eye fixed up
on the object Of their contempt A grim
smile OF savage triumph distorted the fca-
lures OF Men,z. who shouted, with hoarse
and drunken laugh:
"Drink deep-down with ito the
dregs!'
- Arnold, howe~e-, only touohad the
rim to his lips, and waited moments Sic
hence, with an expression so scornful and
composed tha. the Kisses and Explanations
were again quelled; when every sound
| had ceased 10 dead siIence:--
"Never,' he said. shall refuse to
drink to the glory of name | once loved
and honored-Gertrude. fairest Of the fair!
Bnt,' he added, suddenly raising and draw
ing up his figure, with dignity that ST.
fenced every breath, for thee, thou drunk
en-, Dragging, foolish beast! scorn-l
spit upon-I defy thee! and-.hus be
j., punished Thy base, brutal insolance, and
thy stupid presumption
GAS he spoke he dashed the contents
Of the ample goblet full into the face of
Menz; and then, with all his strength.
hurled the massey goblet at the same mark
The giant reeled and staggered few pa
ces back and amid the shining liquor OH
his drenched clothes and dripping features
stream Of blood was observed TO trinkle
down his forehead.
| Never before was popular feeling
more suddenly and violently reversed
The object of their vilest execrations flash.
ed upon them with the immediate bright
ness of superior being. A loud and ir-
repressible burst Of applause broke from
every liz, till the broad and heavy rafters
above their heads, and the very founda-
tons of the floor, shook and trembled.
BIT the peal of Joy and appreciation soon
ceased for although this inspiring drama
had so nobly commenced, it was uncer.
tain how it nigh. terminate. Before the
,yrant recovered from the stunned and be-
wiIdered trance into which the blow, COM
| bned with shame, grief, astonishment and
Drunkenness. had thrown him, several vol.
ees, after the obstreperous calls for silence
usual on such occasions. addressed the
youth, who stood cool and erect. with fol-
ded arms, waiting the course of events.
Brave Arnold! Noble Arnold! A
gallant deed The blood of a..truefgentle-
man in his veins!
But, canst thou 6ght2' cried one.
II am only simple student, and an ar
list by profession. have devoted myself
to the pencil-not the sword
But thou canst use it a little-canst
| MOI 2 asked another.
But indiferenty,' answered the youth.
| -And how art thou with a pistol! de.
maded third.
| sMy hand is impractical replied Ar
noH. Il have no skill in shedding hu-
mar blood
| .'Iore God then, rash boy, what has
,emp,el thee to this fatal extremity z
"Hared Of OPPRESSION replied the
youth, in all its forms and willingness
10 die a.her than submit TO insult