Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-04-18
How Jack MarIand solved a very stiff
Problem.


JACK MARYLAND was happy feIlow-at
least any one who saw him seated in his
comfortable chambers in the Temple in a
vast easy chair, and enveloped with clouds
of smoke proceeding from his favorte
meerschaum, as the bell of st Paul's rang
ten, would have said so. Jack was clever
fellow too He sang well, he danced well
the partridges on the first of September knew
him well the Cheshire hounds we're not UNI
acquainted with him, flor Jack pulled a
good oar,) a dab at fencing, fair single
stick PLAYER, in his element in the pistol gal
Iery, and to crown all, he had Just made a
not unsuccessful debut as speaker at the
courts at Westminster. Jack truly ought |
to have been happy, from thousand rea-
sons; he was a favorite with his acquaint-
ances and professional brethren; by the fair
sex his witty conversation and handsome
and gentlemanly person and demeanor was
duly appreciated in short he was universal
| ly liked. Papas and manmas opened their
doors to him, for he had a nice little fortune
at his command daughters and sons were
glad when he entered the doors so thrown
open, for not dull moment was suffered to
exist from the time Jack came to the time
he took his departure. And was Jack
happy!' melhinks | hear fair reader in
quire.-Jack was not, or rather he thought
he was not happy Jack had got it into his
silly head that, in spite Of his accomplish
ments. his cleverness, and his handsome
face and figure, he, Jack, was a coward;
and that if ever his courage should be put
to the proof, he should be lamentably want
ing. This was the thought which embitser-
ed Jacks exstence-and at the time we in
troduced Jack TO the notice Of our readers,
he was in his aforesaid easy chair, and I'M
der the soothing influence of his aforesaid
pipe, assisted by cup of strong Mocha,
turning over in his mind the methods by
which he thought it likely that he might be
able TO solve the knotty question, Am | or
am | not coward?'
Jack thought and smoked, till he was half
asleep, without coming TO any correct or
satisfactory conclusion the idea had taken
strong possession of his mind and tormented
him strangely; he, however, determined, as
indeed he had done fifty times before, to
seize the first opportunity which might pre-
sent itself of placing himself in the way of
graphing with some imminent danger. We
shall in less than ten minutes, see that the
wished for opportunity presented itself, and
in rather a curious manner.
The long vacation arrived that time so
long wished for, so looked forward TO by all
the legal professions, that time during which,
&c.
Jack, like many other denizens of the
Temple, packed up his traps, sent his clerk
for cab, stuck card outside Of his door
with the inscriptions Return before the Doth
of October shipped himself all aboard Of a
ship then of diligence, and in due time
found himself in Paris. One half day was
i sufficient TO enable him to find good suite
Of rooms and now Jack fully launched in
all the gaiety, not say dissipation, of the me-
tropolis of the French. Jack, we have be-
fore said, was very good shot with the pis-
. tol yet he had never been guilty of that
height of folly, duel, and indeed, had often
: been heard to say never would. He, how
ever, frequented many of the pistol practs-
ing galleries which abounded in Paris and
amongst others, he had honored with bis
presence the establishment of M. Lepage.
One day Jack going to the pistol gallery
# Of M. Lepage with one of his friends found
n il occupied by young man well known as
: one of the best shots in Paris; and most as
: suredly he was good shot. He performed
e all the feats which tradition assigns 20 the
q Chevalier st George ; he each time hit the
! bulls eye Of the target at the usual distance
: snuffed candle with the ball, split bullet
: against the edge Of knife, and drove mai
into the wall by striking the head exactly in
z the centre with his ball and, in short, by I
thousand feats of this nature proved himsel
worthy the name of first rate shot His
amour proper was aroused by the presence
d of Jack, whom the attendant, IN presenting
h him with the pistol, had quietly said he was
% almost as good a shot as himself; but at eacf
shot instead ofreceiving from Jack the trib
= ute of praise which he deserved, he hearC
Jack in reply TO the EXPLANATIONS of aston
|. ishment which proceeded from all in tn,
gallery, say, mo doubt that is very gooC
Shot but the result would be very different
Pve notion if he had live man for hi
u target This incessant calling in question
o of his powers as duellist, flor Jack had re
= peated his observation three times, at frs
astonished the dueist, and ended by annoy
ing him, and at LENGTH turning round t.
, Jack, and looking at him with an air hal
Testing, half threatening, he said, Forgive
= me, Mr. Englishman, but it appears TO m,
that three times you have made an observa
r, ton disparaging to my courage; will you b.
kind enough to give me some explanation
y; ofthe meaning ofyour words
y my words, answered our friend, do not
think, require any explanations they ar
:, plain enough, in my opinion.
=. Perhaps then, sir, yon will be good enoug
to repeat them, in order that / may Judge Q