Saturday morning visitor., 1848-10-14
THE COU NT,
OR,
TRUE COURAGE EXEMPLIFlED.

i In the year lS-, late one evening in
August, dense crowd thronged the streets
and promenades of Paris, for the intense
heat of the day had rendered every one
eager TO refresh HIMSELF by inhaing the
soft breeze that had sprung up in the eve
ming. However, ere long the clouds Of
vapor, which had been floating so wanton-
ly in the air, began to muster their forces,
and frown, till suddenly they poured into
the city and surrounding country perfect
flood Of rain.
Those who were out of doors sought
the nearest shelter, and three young men,
who seemed 10 be comrades, ran into
cabinet Of study, whittier the show er had
already driven almost as many as the room
could contain. Instead of following the
example of the rest who had entered, most
OF whom had taken up a book or paper 10
heguile the time, these three youths kept
| mp constant conversation, TO the evident
annoy ance Of their neighbors. Meanwhile
one gentleman onl Y seemed 10 pass unnoti
ced the bad manners Of the young men,
and To continue his occupation seemingly
in good hnlnor and unannoyed.
lie was seated by table and seemed as
ii taking noies, for he wrote from time TO
time IN IA large portfolio that was open be-
lore him. He appeared TO he man "a
bout thirty years old, OF calm and digni-
| fed demeanor, with forehead broad and
finely de> eIoped lined with iurrows, not
made by time but 10y intense labor of vast
and fruitful intellect. There was an air
oi distinction about him that could not be
misunderstood, although his garments were
modest and plainly made, bearing no mark
of costllne>s or fashion. His appearance
con'rasted sineularly enough with that of
| the three young men who still continued
TO talk and laugh, in defiance of the mur-
, lnIirs and ontrmptuous looks " hch such
| indecorous conduct eliciled from The crow d.
Their heightened color gave unmistakabIe
Signs Of lioNicatlon, ne' erth less their
! language and manners showed that they
hel"nged Ia the upper ranks Of society.
One Of them, Ernest Dasmon, " no had
made himself remarkable by the sprlght
illness Of his reparlees, threw occasional
turii,e glance> towards the stranger, and
dn ,nde>crlhable expression of anger and
chapriu curIe.i his lip, because 1t was ev-
ldenI bis wit was umoliced by the most
distinguished individual in .he room So
deslrnuN was lie TO attract the Strangers
attention. thai AT length he rudely touched
him ON the >honlder, and said:
'Nr, yo'l seem To be very much absorb
ed indeed.
This 'm3er'lnent question elected no
response, The stranger never raised his
eyes, and Ernest turned crimson with
veNainn, While his comrades smiled in
railirry, and one Of them cried, I'll bet
my hor>e against yours that you cannot
make that nan speak to you.
Can yon not move your chair, sir p
said Ernest. you Inconvenience e.
These words were uttered in an impert-
uent tone, at the same time that Ernest
drew his seal nearer TO the stranger.
4 have the honor to inform you, sir,
that you are very much in my way again
cried Ernest, while he touched the stran-
Al this moment the stranger raised his
eyes and Ernest read in the look he cast
upon him more of pity than anger.
Exasperated TO the last degree by this
moderation, which he m,siook for disdain,
he again pushed the stranger with his ell
bow, when the stranger raised himself
with the intention Of leayi ing the room, but
the movement he made upset the writing
table and spilt the ink on Ernest's clothes.
III you wish TO insult me, sir, said Err
nest, flaming with rage, You might have
chosen a more decent mode it is too base
sir, | will not submltto it,
His friends seeing that the affair must
take serious turn, esssyed 10 appease
him, but he repllsedthem rudely, and the
stranger replied in a calm voice, while
only slight tremor could be seen about
his lips.
Sir, please accept my apologies for
what is But an accident | know not how
you can torture aught that have said or
done into an insult, for surely none was
intended.
And his piercing eye seemed 10 probe
the very soul Of Ernest, who was con-
strained to make violent effort, IN order
10 meet calmly the strangers gaze. HUI
inflated BY the Others superiority he was
mad with rage.
Sir cried he, 4 persist in saying you
have offended me, and will receive none
Of your idle excuses.
Nevertheless it is the only reparation
in my power 10 make. The offence ol
which you compain was not intended; Is
not that enough p
! 'lrepsat to you, sir, that !: is insult