The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-10-20
n U NJ B Err 81.


ihe l''r may not be denied by me. But
l demand 10y what mischancc find her
name this night common at n board of
rioters, and polluted by the lips of a drunk
ard and cOward."
"By the bones of my father" said
Mentz, i'll Il tone of deep and dire ononr
Wlic!i had ere ;hen appalled, many
Stou'; lcart'by the bones of my father,vour
doom IS scaled! BE your blood on YOUR
own head. But" said he, observing that
the youth, instead of lowering bore him
self more ftiIy. "what folly is this? Drink. =
lad, drink, and | hurt thee not love
thy gallant bearing, and my game is not
such as thou"
H9 added this with such waverido Of
manner as had never before been witness
ed in linn, for never before had he been so
calmly and fierccly opposed; and, for
moment he quaicd before the fiery CLAN
ces dartcd at him from one he supposed
mcekcr than n dove. But Ashamed of
his transient fear, he said, Come to me.
poor child. Bring with thee thy goblet;
bend at my foot and quaff it, as have
head"
What was the astonishmcnt Of the
company on beholding Arnold, as if
etectually awed by Il moments reflection.
and the tcrocious cnmity of deadly and
celebrated foe, actually do as he was
commanded. lie rose, took the cup, and
slowly approached the seat Of the insulter:
knclt and raised the cup to his lips. Muir
murs OF SHAME" ''polroon,' coward"
came hot and thick from the group of
spectators, WHO had arisen in the excite
ment otthcir curiosity, and stood eagerly
ben ling toward with every eve fixed upon
the ohjcct of their contempt. A Grim
snic distorted the features OF Mcntz, who
shouted with a hoarse and drunken laugh.
"Drnk dccI-lown with 10 the
drcgs."
Arnold, however, only touched the rim
to his lips, and waited a moments silence.
with an expression so scornful and com
posed that the misses and exclaimations
were again quelled; when every sound
had ceased to a dead silence
"Never," said he, 4" shall | refuse to-
drink to the glory of name that once
loved and honored-Gertrude, faircst of
the fair But, "he added, suddenly ris-
ing, and drawing up his figure, with
dignity that silenced every breath, "for
thus be punished thy base, brutal insoIence,
and thy stupid presumption"
As lie spoke, he dashed the contents of
the ample goblet full in the face of Mentz
and then, with all his strength hurled the
massy goblet itself at the same mark.
The giant rccled and staggered few PAGES
back; and amid the shining liquor on his
drcnched clothes and dripping features a
stream of blood was seen to trickled down
his forehead.
Never before was popular feeling more
suddenly and violently reversed. a loud
and irrcprcssablc burst of applause broke
from every lip, till the broad and heavy
ralters above their hccds, and the very
foundation of the floor shook and trcmbled.
But the peal OF JOY and appreciation soon
ceased for though this inspiring drama had
so nob,y commenced, it was uncertain how
it might end. before the tyrant had re-
covered from the stunned and bewildercd
trance into which the blow, combined with
grief shame, astonishmcnt and drunken
ness had thrown him, several voices after
the obstrcpcrous calls for silence usual on
such occasions, addressed the youth who
stood cool and erect, with folded arms
waiting the course of events.
Brave Arnold. Noble Arnold a
gallant deed The blood of true gen
! tlcman in his veins. :"
| =" But canst thou fight :" cried one
4" | am only simple student, and an ar
tist by profession have devoted myself
to the pencil, and not to the sword" an
swercd Arnold
But thou canst use it little, canst
thou not ?" asked another.
"But mdiffcrcntly," answered the youth.
/ "And how art thou with the pistol {? 4"
demanded third.
my hand is Impractical" replied Ar
mold, In We not skill in shedding human
! blood.n
"'Forc God, then, rash boy, what has
, tempted thee to this fatal extremity 2"
&" Hatred of oppression in all its FORMS"
replied the youth, and II willingness to
die, rather than submit to an insult"
" Die then thou shalt, and that ere to-
morrow's sun shall set -" thundered Mentz,
starting upin phrenzy, and with ahoarso
and broken voice that made the hearts of
the hearers shuddcr as at the howl of n de-
mon.
81 challenge thee to mortal combat"
"And l accept tie challenge"
at is for thee to name time, place and
weapons, but as thou lowest me, let it not
be longer than tomorrow night, orI shall
burst with impaticnce and rage"
al love thee not, base dog !" replied AR
mold :" but thou shalt not die so inglori-
Gus death I will fight with thee, there
t fore, tonight"
{ "By the mother of Heaven, boy ~
cried Mentz; more and more surprised
, "thou ar4 in haste to sup in hell" and
the ruRain lowered his voice, art thou