The Ottawa free trader., 1849-04-20
VOL. IX.-NO. SO.

Shii'iuS lAT tluS tuc luuUk Stranger
was called, was rarely if ever, trmptedto 10
our ieasts-but once he came unexpcctt,l.
ly upon a casual invitation. To the great
surprise and disgust of the company, Meniz
himself was there, and seated himself, un.
abashed. at the table, though an untiJdcn
guest. There was the strongest curiosity
to witness the result; for Meniz had sworn
that he would compel Arnch at their flint
meeting To beg pardon on lis knees for the
audaoiiy of having addressed his mistress.
1t had not appeared that Arnold knew
anything Of Meniz's character, for he sat
cheerinlly and gayly at the bord, With 80
much the manner Of the high borne gentle.
man that every one at once admitted his
goodness, his grace, and lis beauty, and re
gretted the abyss on the brink Of " hch he
unconsciously stood.
"What, ho 70 shonted Mentz as the eve.
ming little advanced, and the wine begsn
to mount, Ga toast! come drink it all:--
and he " ho refuses is a poltroon and q cow
ard. ] 1qusT this pobet-iillca 10 the brm
to the health AID happiness of Gertrude
DISABLE, the fare,t of the fair. Who says
lee knows a fai,er is black liar, and ] will
write the word on his lorehe all with red
hot brand"
Every goblet was emptiodbut one, " hicI
stood unta On percejy-
inc this the ruIlian loaned forward, fixing
his eyes on the cup, struck his brawny hand
down on the table, hich returned a thnn-
dering crash and rattle. and exclaimed in
voice husky with rage.
"There is one cup full; by ST. Anthony,
will make its owner swallow its ipeasure
Of molten lead If it remains thus one instant
longer.o
"Drnk il, Arnold-drink II. boy; keep
thy hands out Of useless broil.;" whispered
student near him, rather advanced in
years.
"Drink, friend" muttered another. dryly,
"or he will not be slow in doing his threat,
promise you."
"Emry the cup, man." cried third;
"never frown and turn pale, or thy young
head will lie as low as thy feet ere to-mor-
row nighi.'
! at is Men,7, the duelist," said fourth.
"DoS thou know his wondrous skill? lie
would kill tlce as if thou wert deer, If
thou oppose him in his wine. He is more
mercyleSs than wild boar. Drink, man,
drink."
/ During this interesting scene, the you'll,
had remained motionless, cool and silent.
A slight pallor, but evidently more indig-
nation than fear, came over his handsome
features, and his eyes dilated with emotion,
rested fl'l and fixed upon Meniz.
"By the mass, gentlemen" he said at
length, 'I AIN stranger here, and ignarant
Of the manners prevalent at universities;
but it yonder person be sane and thissno
"Joke!' thundered Men,z, foamiug at
the lips.
81 must tell YOU" resuwei Arnold, 81
came from part Of the country where we
neither give nor take such jokes, or such
inSults.n
"lIast thou taken leave olthy f,iends?"
said Mantz, partly hushed by astoni.hment,
Sand art thou tired Of life, that thou hurri-
est on thus blindy to a bloody pillow Boy,
drink as | have told thee, to Gertrude, tho
iairest Of the fair" and hi. huge round eyes
opened like those Of a bull, upon his daring
victim.
"That Gertrude DISABLE is fair and love.
ly," said the youth rizing, "may not be de.
MED by Inc. But demand by what ms.
chance iiud her name, this night, common
! at board Of rioters, aud polluted by the lips
of drank ard aud rullau."
SPY the bones ol my father !" said Mentz,
in tone Of deep aud dire anger, which
had ere then appalled, many stout heart,
"yorr doom i, sealed. BE- your blood on
; your own head. But" said he, observing
tie youth who had. instead Of covering,
bore himself more l,f'y, "what folly is Til?
! Drink, lad, and hurt thee not. l love thy
; gallant hearing, and ny game Is not such
as ihUu.'
= He added this in a wavering manner
which had never before been wtDe ssed ir
: him, for never before had he been opposed
SO calmly aud fcrcc!y: and for moment
2 he quailrh beneath his fiery Clances darted
. at linn by one whom he supposed meeker
! than dove. But ashamed of his tranoient
5 fear, he said:
"Conc to me. poor child, bring with thee
thy goblet, bend at my feet, quaif il "a
have said, and out of pity spare thy young
hrad.'
What was The as'oni,hment Of the com.
\ pauy, on bcholdus Arnold. as if eiIeCtually
( awcd by moments reflection. aud the ie-
rociou> cn,niiy OF 10 deadly n foe. actually
do A. he was commended. lie rose, took
!, the cup, slowly arlroa lied the seat OF his
q toe, knel', and raised the cup to his lips.
: Matters ui 'Shame, shame, pUltroon, cow
= aid,' came out loud and thick from the
Il. group uf spectators, who had rison in the
excitement Of their curiosity, and stood ea-
p ge,lv bending forward, with their eyes in.
: ,ritly fixed on the object oftheir cohtt npt.
4 \ grim smile Of savage triumph Distorted
n the features of Mentz who shouted with a
hoarsc drunken laugh:
I "Drink deep, To the dreSs."
= Arnold, however, only raised tie rim to
= his lips ,aud waited amoncnl's silence, with,
an expression so scorhiul aud composcd,-
7 that the Kisses and rxclamaii0nS were again
= Guclled. When every sound had ceased,
. he said
A "Never shall refuse 10 drink 70 the Clio.
. ~ of a name once loved and honored---
r Gertrude the faireN of the fair! But" he
4 added, suddenly rising aud drawing up his
i figure with dignity that silenccd every
i breath, "for thee, thou drunken, Dragging,
n foolish beast, scorh, spit upon--l defy
p. thee and thus be punished, thy base
$ brutal insoence and stupid presumption"
$ As he spoke he dashed the fun contents
Of .he ample goblet into the face Of Mentz,
and then with all the strength he possessed
:, he hurled the massive cup althe same mark
, The giant reeled and staggered few pa
y ces back and amid the shining liquor on
4 his drenched clothes aud dripping features,
4 -