Saturday morning visitor., 1848-10-14

demand satisfaction at the point Of the
sword.
d will fight no DUEL
'Then you are a coward
The stranger turned deadly pale, his
beautiful features contracted visibly, and
the witnesses of this scene expected eve
ry moment 10 Hear words Of long suppress
ed anger escape his lips, when pressing
his hand upon his heart as if TO still its
/. throbbings, he said with troubled but
sweet oice, looking at his assailant You
have insulied me, young man, grievously
insulted me; but may you pardon your
self as / now do Then making his
way through the crowd, he disappeared.
The smile of triumph that had mounted
to Ernest's lip, disappeared at the last
words OF the Stranger-and when he could
no longer see, he renamed stupeiied, and
humbled between his friends, who knew
not whether to ieliciate him or not, upon
his victory. The change in his manner
had been 81 sudden and remarkable.
Whence came The courage that bore up
that man who showed no anger, when thus
insulted and wantonly called coward?
Want of courage was in Ernest's esi-
nation monstrous crime; and a secret
intuition assured him that his adversary, so
lar from being a COW ard, was one Of those
noble and elevated beings, whose esteem
he would be proud TO obtain, and whose
friendship he would cherish with delight.
oh If this injurious word had not es-
capped my lips, how gladly ould pursue
him, and implore second time the pardon
he once 50 nobly proGTered me my con-
science is wounded fatally--l cannot dis
semLle it. 1t was myself alone that did
the wrong; but at least this unfortunate
adventure will cure me of intemperance.
will become intoxicated no more
1t was very perceplible that the good
| qua liiies that had been conferred upon Err
nest by nature and a fine education, had
been rather charged than destroyed by the
triiing and dissipaied life he had led.
Separated from his friends at the door
Of The reading room, he took the first street
that came in his way, and without know
ing whittier he went, was soon in a gloom
y and deserted part OF the city.
Yielding entirely 10 the agitation of his
mind he hurried on, with no other aim
than 10 kill time, and as he looked only on
the ground, he was not aware that bad
looking man followed his footsteps.
Soon, howe, er, The man approached and
asked him 'the hour.
The night is too dark rnshly replied
Ernest, for me to see the time, but sup
pose It's past ten
Scarcely had he spoken, when he was
grasped tightly by the collar, his hat thrown
off and he received violent blow that
knocked him down. Thieves, assassips,
he exclaimed, whlc making every effort
TO keep oil The ruihans, (tor there were
two, who had assailed him.
They had already taken his watch when
one of them cried out, LET'S despatch
him, his cries will betray u.s. and the
knife was already aimed at his breast, when
a man armed with sword cane fell upon
the villains, who were OF course towards,
and they Immediately ran, not, however,
without wounding The stranger, who had
attacked them.
Generous man. SAID Ernest. seizing
his hand with ardur, You have periled
your own HE 10 save mine-how shall
be able ever to requite You? 2
Ills TO God alone that your gratitude
should he addressed, answered his friend
Il have been but the instrument Of his
will
Al the sound of The stranger's voice,
Ernest struck his forehead IN agony and
exclaimed:
Owreich that am, to have called him
a coward. oh, SIR pursued he, turning
towards the stranger, who then recognis-
ed him, The haseness Of my conduct to-
wards you, and the nobility of yours to-
wards me, have taken from me all pow er
of Justification in opposing pardon 10 in
jury, and showing what is true courage,
although il has made me despise myself,
YET | thank you forthe lesson lit will live
forever III my memory
Let us not speak Of the past, answer
ed his companion, in an affectionate tone,
there are no faults that sincere repent
ance cannot eliace, and the wrong you re-
prOach yourself with having done me,
ceases 10 be one, when thus frankly avow
ed
4 accept most gratefully your pardon,
said Ernest, seizing the hand the strsngel
Ipresented 10 him, 'all is noble generosity
on'your side, and although / have no claim
to your esteem, believe at least that ap.
preciate and nonor your virlue.'
Trembling with emotion, Ernest follow
ed his delivereE, without perceiving ,ha
bis steps were directed TO aquarter Of III,
town far from his own residence; wheu
opposite house in the taubOnrg ST. Ger
man, he stopped and bid Ernest goo,
night.
And may net return 10 visit you h