Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-05-19
VOL. VINO. 90.

4OOhths a4tSA bAS 4StA SeeiAS ESuIS Ol 1NO-
salthe.
Extremely modest and ingenious YOUTH
exclaimed the Frenohman, ironically.
The young man favored him with fur
tive glance, which might admit of various
constructions, and then followed the for
of the maiden again, with his eyes.
May l take the liberty. most courtly
youngster, to inquire by what particular
combination of letters you are usually
known p added lie Bland
The condescending monsieur wishes to
know my name; it is Allan Norwood
replied the hunter.
Did it ever occur to you. excellent Al
lan that meddling with other peoples af-
fairs is not always safe and profitable busi-
ness-that it sometimes results in broken
bones, and other highly disagreeable con-
sequences 2 said lie Bland, knitting his
brows
i have some knowledge proud French
man, Of what belongs to a gentleman. |
know how to defend my honor, aud pun
ish impertinenee," rejoined Allan.
/ You are there are you you carry it
bravely. I'll humor your mood, my dough
1 ty rustic, and though you are not my
equal, will meet you on equal terms
Have you pistols, worthy Allan?'
L have and you may take your choice
Of the pair, answered the Hunter, calmly
1 Let US walk yonder, then out of hear
! ing of the settlers, and adjust this little
affair / trust that your business matters
are so we'll arranged, that nobody will be
the loser if you should by any strange
chance be called into another state of ex-
istence,' said the Frenchman, blandly,
with his peculiar smile.
You give yourself unnecessary trou.
bic, gentle monsieur. My earthly affairs
are well looked after. and l have, happily.
nothing to think of in that regard so lead
on, returned the hunter,
One thing more, if you please have
you visited the confessional recently 2 re-
sumed lie Bland
j confess daily, sir--confess to the Fa-
ther,' said Allan, impressively.
'All right, then, responded the French
man.
The two now diverged from the rivers
bank LIE Bland leading the way Push
ing aside the bushes at every step. and
passing over some pretty rough ground,
they soon reached a large growth Of wood,
free from uuderbrush and brakes, and f.
nally emerging from that. stood on the
border of one oe those beautiful levels,
characteristic of the country. The spot
was verdant with kind of prairie grass,
interspersed with laurel, and various indi-
geHous wild plants. In one direction it
stretched away and extended quite to the
river. while in others it was spauned by
forests of maple, oak and beech, or mar
gined by the humber furze, hazel, aud
willow.
The sun had climbed so far into the heav-
ems that It's brightest rays lay along the
plateau and kissed the most modest bios
som that had expanded It's petals to the
morning air.
Allan paused to admire the natural
beauty of the spot, aud the Frenchman,
standing at short distance, observed him
askance. While the parties stood thus,
small bird alighted on willow bush at
about the distance Of ten PAGES.
'I'Il trouble you for one of those pis
tolls, sir 2 said lie Bland quietly
Allan instantly complied with his re-
quest. and gave him his choice Of brace
of well-furnished pistols, with rife bar
rels The Frenchman took one of them,
and remarked with his usual courtliness
of style, that be was considered very
good shot; but want of practice had un-
fitted him for nice shooting
With these words and smiling again, he
raised the weapon. fired without much ap-
parent care, and the bird fell dead
Rather ciumsily done, for me- / should
have shot his head of but its all owing
to a want of practice. BE good enough
to load 1t again, young man, and we will
soon finish this business added lie Bland.
carelessly; but at the same time glane-
/ ing stealthily at Allan to observe the eff
fects of his shot.
1T Is one thing TO shoot bird and an
other to shoot human being, replied the
hunter, coolly. Such feat does not sur
prise me; l have done as much myself
but there Is one art in which | have new
er been emulous to ezcei-I allude to the
art Of discrimination
Rash and foolish boy you have pro
voked your fate Your tone and man
ners are highly offensive and add greatly
to the sin of your first rudeness, retorted
lie Bland, more angrily than he had yet
spoken.
L care not Tor the lottlness which you
affect | only remember the cause Of this
quarrel you offered an insult to a young
and beautiful maiden who she is, what
her name and station, I know not, neither
does it concern our present purpose. /
appear here as her champion, and will
abide the result, whatever it may be; so
proceed and waste no time in useless
words" answered the hunter, firmly
L viii pace off the ground how many
PAGES shall it be 9 asked lie Bland
Suit YOURSELF am not particular
was the ready rejoinder
Well, since YOU are so easily satisfied
will pace off the distance between where
[ now stand, and the spot where yonder
bird lies
Allan assented, and lie Bland measur-
ed the ground by PAGES and then walk
ing back to his former position, said With
his accustomed smile, and with look that
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