Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-10-09
Ireland sixty Years Ago.

1
| The state Of society I'm the Irish capital,
and the value at which human life was esti-
mated g sixty years ago." may be correctly
ascertained from the following anecdote,
which was told the author by a gentleman
| still living, who actually saw the transaction.
II win be necessary TO acquaint the reader
that Dublin was then infested by gangs OF
welI-born, wel-dressed, idle blackguards-
members Of the Hell-fire and Cherokee
clubs, who were disgrace 10 their own
order and a terror to every other. These
yagabonds rendered the streets insecure, and
peaceable citizen or country gentleman
col I'd scarcely venture into a cOfiee-house
without being exposed TO insult or assault
| from these lasyless bullies, whom the defec-
tive police arrangements of that time al
lowed to run riot with impunity. forget
the name Of the coflee-house-one probably
extinguished aquartcr of a century since
but il was then fashionable house, and one
TO which these disorderly personages re-
sorted.
| "Iwas sitting :" said Mr.. Beresford, ''after
dinner, in the public room, discussing my
bottle Of claret, and at the different tables at
/ least a score of persons were collected, when
a fellow of the order, then termed Bucks
threw open the folding doors of the coffee
room. His name was Fenton. He was
Ishowily dressed, wore IN embroidered waist
coat, rufiies, cooked hat, and small rapier.
He flung his hat and cane upon the table,
looked superciliously around him AT the
company, and called for claret, which was
brought him. Waiter, he said affectedly,
was that scoundrcl, Dick DAILY, here this
EVENING" No, SIR Cursed sorry did
not find him, as wished to cane the black
guard incontinently.' The words had scarce-
ly passed his lips when the folding doors
were opened, and parsonage dressed III the
most extravagant style of fashion swagger-
ed in. His costume was similar to Mr..
Fenton's; but instead of "a small sword the
weapon at his side had crooked blade,
then considered more fashionable among the
bloods of the day, and termed eouttedu de
chase.
"The new conner was Mr.. DAILY, and IT
appeared that his errand was to operate on
the person of Mr.. Feuton. ScoundreP and
linr' were instantly interchanged. Out flew
both blades from the scabbards; fight COM
menced, and not man of twenty present at
tempted to interfere. Dalywas the stronger,
Fenton the better armed; and, evading the
rush of his opponent, he retreated to an in
ner door. Just rs he entered the passage,
he of the couteau de chasse struck furiously
at his antagonist, the point of the sabre cut
ting the architravc Of the door an inch above
Fenton's head This civility at the same
instant was returned with home stGccdfa
from the small sword, which passed clean
through Days body, and he dropped dead
man upon the floor. Mr.. Fenton quietly
Withdrew the rocking blade, wiped it across
the coat of his fallen opponent, returned IT
to the scabbard, and stepped coolly across
the bleeding corpse, bowed politely 10 The
company, and departed, none present either
asking a question or offering TO bar his
ogress The whole affair was transacted IN
minute; for
Pew were the words and stern and high
which precluded an encounter, that, like a
fox chase, proved short, sharp, and decl-
sive.' At the next table to that where was
drinking my claret, q respectable gentleman
was busy with his soup. He never put down
his spoon, but, turning his eyes tromthe dead
man on the floor 10 the deep sabre cut over
the doorway, he quietly observed, Lord!
what pity that Dick DAILY struck an inch
or two too high, or by ST. Patrick the world
would have been delivered of two of the
most troublesome scoundrels in existence !
Waiter, YOU mny remove the soup. '"-IIiH-
side and Border Sketches, by W. III. MAJ
weH.