Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-05
MISC ELLAME EOUS.
TIre VglCc,s strn,,rct.,.


Captain Marmaduke Smith, whom !
have had the honor Of once or twice before
introducing to the readers of this Journal
is-judging from his present mundane
matter-ot-lact character-about the last
man one would suspect Of having been al
any time ofhis life victim Of the tender
passion \ revelation lie volunteered to
two or three cronies at the club the other
evening undeccived us. The captain on
Ibis occasion, as was generally the case on
| tn morrow of too great indulgence, was
somewhat dull=spiritcd and lachrymose.-
The weather, too, was gloomy; melan-
choly barrel-organ had been droning dread
fully for some time beneath the windows
and, to crown all, Mr.. Tape, who has a
quick eye for the sentimental, had discov-
cred, and read aloud, common but sad
story of madness and suicide in the even
ing paper. 1t is not, therefore, so surpris-
ing that tender recollections should have
revived with unusual forcein the veteran !
memory.
you would hardly believe it, Tape
said Captain Smith, after dull pausc, and
emitting a sound somewhat resembling a
sigh, as lie religAted the cigar which had
gone out during Mr.. Tapes rcading-'you
would hardly believe it perhaps; but was
woman-v itched once myself!
Never 7 exclaimed the astonished gen
tleman whom he addressed "A man OF
your strength Of mind, captain Ican't
believe it Ms impossible!'
'Ii'san extraordinary fact, admit; and,
to own the truth, have never been able
to account exactly for it myself. Fortu-
natcly, | took the disorder as | did the
measlcs-young; and neither Of these com
plants is apt to Be SO fatal then, I'm told,
as when they pick man up later in life.
1t was however, a very severe attack while
it lasted a very charming hand at hook
ing a gudgeon was that delightful Coralie
Dufour, | must say
ANY relationto the Monsierand Madame
Duiour we saw some years ago in Pa
ris 2 asked Tape. The husband, | re-
member, was remarkably fond of express
ing his gratitude to you for having once
wonderfully carried him through his diff
culties.'
Captain Smith looked sharply at Mr..
Tape, asif he suspected some lurking irony
beneath the bland innocence ofhis words
Perceiving, as usual, nothing in the speak
er's countenanco, Mr.. Smith-slowing at
the same time a tremendous cloud to con-
ceal faint blush which, to my extreme as
tonishment, observed stealing over his un-
accustomed features-said gravely, almost
solomly You, Mr.. Tape, are a married
man, and the father Of family, and your
own experience, therefore, in the female
line, must be ample for lifetime; but you,
SIR continued the captain patronisingly,
addressing another Of his auditors, are |
believe, as yet unattached" in a legal
sense, and may therefore derive profit as
well as instruction from an example of the
way in which ardent and inexperienced
youth is sometimes entrapped and ham
boozlcd bywomankind. Mr.. Tape obligc
me by touching the bell
The instant the captains order had been
obeyed, he commenced the narration Of his
love adveu;ure, and for time spoke with
his accustomed calmncss but towards the
close he became so exceedingly discursive
and excited and it was with 50 much diff
Guilty we drew from him many little parti-
culars it was essential TO hear that | have
been compelled, from regard to brevity as
well as strict decorum, to soften down and
renderin my own words, some Of the chiei
incidents Of his mishap.-
just previous 10 the winter campaign
which witnessed the second siege and fan
of Badaioz, Mr.. Smith, in the Jealous ex-
ercise of his periloas vocation, entered that
city in Lis usual disguise ofa Spanish coun-
tryman, with stric; orders to keep Lis eyes
and ears wide open, and to rcpoItas speed
lily as possible upon various military de-
tails which it was desirable the British
general should be made acquainted with
Mr.. Smith, from the first moment the pleas
ant proposition was limited to him, had man
ifested considerable reluctance to under
take the task; more especially as General
! Philhpon, who commanded the French
garrison, had not very long before been
much TOO near catching him, TO render a
possibly still more intimate acquaintance
'+ - H4-tt l. 4 ~ eAt4NliSi az q II NNel4 LDl lC
Nevertheless, as the service was urgent,
and no one, it was agreed, so competent as
himself to the duty-indced upouthis point
Mr.. Smith remarked tkat the most fat,er-
ing unanimity ofopinion was exhibited by
all the gentlemen likely, should he decline
the honor, to be selected IN his place-he
finally consented, and in due time found
himself fairly within the walls ofthe devo-
ted city. 1T was an uncomfortable busi-
ness the captain said-very much So
and in more ways than one. 1t took a
long time to accomplish and what was
worse than all, rations Were miserably
short. The French garrison were living
upon saltcd horse-fesh, ,and you may guess
therefore, at the condition ofthe civilians
victualling department. Wine was how
ever, to be had in sufficient plenty and
used frequently to pass few hours at a
place Of entertainment kept by an Anda.
/ lusian woman, whose bitter hatred OF the
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