The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-01-17


of God.
SINGULAR INCIDENT TO AN ENGLISH
TRAVELLER IN FRANcE.-One summer eve
ming, the writcr-hot, weary, and uncom.
municatively lsposed--entering crowded
cafe in the south Of France to find shelter
from the rain. An individual of peculiarly
unprepossessng appearance whom he had
already noticed, seated himself at the same
! table with the obvious intention of entering
into conversation. He was man OF some
FIVE and twenty years of age, with coun,
tenancc saowed by dissipation, rendered
sinister by expression Of the eye and dlShs,
ured BY scar. Ills dress was half civil and
half military, consisted Of black frock coat
butoned up to his chin, of red foraglng
cap, red ,r rcd.scamed trousers. Judging
him TO he police spy from the manner in
which he seemed to be avoided, the writer
took up his ice and newspaper and re,reated
10 small triangular table in The corner
which only admitted Of one occupant, thus
frustrating the intended sociabllhy OF the
stranger. After the elapse of about an hour,
the rain being over, he Quilted the cafe;
when the individual in question rose, follow
ed him into the street, and stepping abrupt
" forward thus ldrcsscd him." Monsieur
permette= que je rous disc, que rotre figure
me depiau sourerainenent." "Sir, permit me
to observe" Qhe remainder of this phrase
which literally ran "your personal appear
ancc is snpremely displeasing TO me. can
only he conveyed 10 the intelligence Of tho
few who do not understand French by the
vcrnacuar in which it would be rcudercd)
shat The cut Of your jIb is not TO my liking"
Monsieur" replied the writer. "jcn su's
desole ] am shocked to hear it," "What,"
said the stranger, whdsc hand was already
IN hls pocket, is that all you have 10 an
swcr mc?' That is all" But, sir, | mean
to i'.s,,lr you; here is my card" 81 do no,
want your card But have you no senti-
mem dhonneur? Won't y'u fight?'-"No,
Sir. | never fight strangers; if you annoy
me any further shall simply knock you
down." Your answer is brutal, but be.
lieve YOU are the stronger man. The tact
is, am weary of life, aud would as soon
have pcrishcd in a duel as through suicide.
Good day, Sir, l 6ud was mistaken IN you
no matter leap into the river is, after ALL
quite as easy" and with these words the
hero Of the red cap walked away.
Il circumstance and tho manner OF man
so far however reused the curiosity OF the
writer, tha, he was induced to call him back.
Stay. my friend, you see wont. fg ut and
wont be insulled; but as you addressed
a graluitous observation to me, just excuse
my asking you whether you think that the
fact Of your being weary "f Your own life
jusl,fes you in jcnpard sing The l'ic OF
slranger!' -'Perhaps not, but il is very we
for you to talk in cold blood. The waiter
looked aSkance at me, when took shelter,
because did not order anything. ] hated
those who did. hate the world, and am
weary ofi,. thought that you did not
know me aud would fight mc-to kill or
killed, what mal,cr?-Because have ID
several lives, and have right ,ota :
or two,
have been an ofIiccr-a man OF honor
Il have served my counlrv,-now do you
understand" and throwing open his coat
he showed that he was without SHIRT or
wai<,coat, and bursting into tears was about
to walk away. On subsequent inquiry, hts
story proved to he strictly true.
AnalQgies and Contrasts