Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-03-04
Smoking in a Stage.

The Quarterly Review for January, tells the
to our population here: Ia
The late Mr.. Clay was man of great resolu-
ton and considerable daring. He once told the
following anecdote to a friend of ours. Travel
ing, in early manhood, in public conveyance in
southeastern State, he found himself in company
Of three other persons, consisting ofa young lady
and gentleman, her husband, and ian individual
muffed in a cloak, whose countenance was con-
cealed, and who appeared to be indulging in
tste-a-tete with Morpheus. Suddenly big,
brawny Kentuckian got into the coach, smoking
acigar, and frowned fiercely around, as much
Is to say, "I'm half horse, half alligator; the
yaller flowers of the forest, all birthstone but
the head and ears, and that's aquafortis." In
fact, he looked as savage as q meat-axe, and
puded forth huge volumes Of smoke without re-
ference to the company within, especially the
lady, who manifested certain timid symptoms of
annoyance. Presently, after some whispering,
thegentleman with her, in the politest accent,
requested the stranger not to smoke, as it an
noyed his companion. The fellow answered,
II reckon I've paid my place. I'll smoke as
much as darn please, and all hell shan't stop
me, no how With that he looked dangerous,
and rolled his eyes round as fercely as q rattle
make. It was evident he had no objection to
quarrel, and that il it occurred it was likely to
lend TO y deadly struggle. The young man who
I'D spoken to him shrunk back and was silent.
Clay felt his gallantry aroused. He consider
ID for moment whether he should interfere,
bat experienced natural reluctance to draw
Spen himself the brutal violence Of mis- gigantic
adversary. In that lawless country, he knew
his life might be sacrificed unavenged. He knew
himself physically unequal to the contest, and
be thought, after all, it was not his business,
quixotically, to take up another mans quarrel.
Feeling pity for the insalted and disgust toward
The insulter, he determined to take no notice;
when very quietly, indeed, the cloaked figure in
Ae corner assumed an upright position, and the
Mantle was suffered to fall from it without effort
Or excitement I'M. ~. ,,.s t5.g 3F s4sssf n
The small but sinewy frame Of q man, plainly
Asseed in tightly -buttened fsock coat, with
wiling remarkable about his appearance, was
-, and pair Of bright gray eyes sought the
fesse optics Of the ferccious Kentuckian. With
III ! word this "hy figure " passed his hand
aaier his collar atlthe back Of his neck, and
slovay and deliberately pulled forth I long ex-
temely long-long and glittering knife from its
sheath in that singular place. stranger, n he
eaid, my name is Colonel James Bowie, we'll
knovn in Akanns and Louisiana, and IL you
oonf pnt thAt cigar out OF the window IN :
quarter Of : minute, III put this knife through
yeur bowels, - sure % death. = ss
NJ Clay said b Aeyer forgot in after, life the
apseasions Of tAe Calaael's eyes II that moment.
.Ae predomdnant inrfee1ion made upon him Vas
= certainty d the threat bsinr ful6lled, and
sppArenfly the same oonxiction Impressed ITSELF
g long upon the offender. Durinr two 81 threee
.e1sd1 his eyes met thoee q EoSie. He waa