American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-23


promise. Asa natural consequence, Saunders
hated Wright, and urged his companions to IN
suit him whenever the proceeding would be
measure of safety. These insults, up to the
time TO which we are about to refer, had been
few for several reasons, viz: The parties rarely
met, inasmuch as Wright never frequented the
village pot-house, and of course did not JOIN
the numerous eXtravagant pleasure partes
made up by his wealthy enemies. The most
of his leisure time was spent at the cottage OF
a beautiful young girl whom he ardently low
ed, and whose condition in lie, humble MS his
own, offered no obstacle to their union. Saun-
ders had never been able TO make the acquaint-
ance of Mary, although he had, at a dinner,
publicly sworn to accomplish her ruin, She
had always manifested disgust of his character
His name had never passed her lips save when
coupled with an avoWaI of her dislike for hun
Saunders can vanquish any girl i'll the village
save Mary Buridon!" was the common asser-
ton jestingly made when his gallantres we're
brought up as matters Of conversation. Thus
affairs stood in the December Of Is.
II was a coda bitter cold night. The snow
was unusually deep for that region, and the
frosty air pierced all the woolens that careful
and thrifty housewives could heap upon their
sons and husbands. In short, the weather was
so cold that sleighing party, composed Of
Saunders and his clique, had abandoned their
project of going out, add settled themselves
comfortably before the "broad and comprehen-
sve" fire place in the bar-rOon of the village
tavern.
"Hurrah! To the ladies who were TO have
gone with us to-nigAt!" said Saunders, merrily,
raising lass Of punch to his lips.
The toast was drunk uproariously, aud the
,aA arJl I'd I,o a1
to admit-young Wright! Had congreve
rocket entered the room, greater establishment
could not have been depicted on every coun-
tenance. Glasses were unceremoniously set
down, and inqurlng glances re rapidly
thrown, from one revelet to the other, so pal
pably that Wright must have noticed them
However, he very quietly took a seat at ten
anlless table in dark corner of the apartment,
and dseucumbered himself of his outer travel
ling gear.
"Landlord, !" said he 81 have never been here
before, and my unlooked-for appearance, for
my own sake, ought 10 be accounted for. |
have attended the Circuit Court, about ten
miles distant, and walked the Whole way back.
Almost frozen, | thought to get here, what !
cannot obtain at my lodgings, a bumper Of
muIlcd wine"
Silently the landlord executed the order
Wright pulled sumo documents trcG9 his pocket,
and, without notiClng any one, commenced
reading. In few minutes the jewellers reco-
vered their equilibrium and called for moro Ii
quor.
"As this weather would delight an Icelandcr
but is rather out of place here, suppose we
make night of III" bawled one Of Saunders
toades.
"Agreed!" shouted the voice unanimous.
CAV! we can go to bed here when we arc
tired of each others company" remarked
Saunders.
81 wish there were petticoats about" re-
sponded burly rOue on the right of the table.
snow to sting this misaDthrope fool in the
corner yonder," whispered Saunders. He con-
tinued in a loud tone, "Women? Pshaw!-
There is bat one woman in this village worth q
: thought"
"Who is she1" chorussed the bacchanals.
"Mary Buridon."
"She's invulnerable," said one. "She has
no heart! She is utterly bereft of soul and
sentiment"
Wright's face blanched as white as The paper
in his hands, but he said nothing.
"No soul! No sentiment" exclaimed Saun-
ders. "There you are mistaken. Not many
hours since met her near her fathers house,
and had quite an interesting tste a tett, as her
Frenchman of parent would say. Before
left Der she honored me with kiss"
ga kiss?" was the general interrogatory
shout
"He's romancing," said the burly roue:-
Hdon't believe word of It,"
"On my soul and honor speak the TRUTH
responded Saunders, emphaticaly.
"Perjured villain" CALCULATED deep but
tremuIOus voice.
In L., 4 4
81 did," SAID Wright, calmly advancing 10
the centre Of the apartment.
"Did you apply those words to me?' inquir-
ed Saunders.
81 did"
"Then you are sconndre and coward,
and will have your hearts bood!'
Everybody rose sobered, from the table, and
gathered around Saunders. Wright was the
first to speak,
"You have tod what you will do, now listen
to me. You have dared to lie TO the dscredIt
, of virtuous lady-her ma G has been banded
about by your drunken companions, as ii she
were creature as vile as yourselves You
have proianed that name in low aud Disgrace
full place, and unless you repair those injuries
you shall be punished"
"Punished!" almost yelled the lbertine.
t punished" said Wright, firmly. "Unless
, you now, and at once, confess yourself lar
: and rotrac what has been spoken, you shall
r give me satisfaction
t 81 roiH mol retract, and cannot fight you"
, "Wby not2"
: "Because YOU are not equal to me in social
= postion-because you gave the first insult, and
r | do not choose to recognize it from one be.
meath me-"
S A death-like silence pervaded the apartment
# Wright reflected moment, and then, while
S his eye CLEANED with passion, in husky tones
: lie asked, DtiH you 6ght?"
y 81 will have nothing TO do with you. For
o the language you have used will have re-
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