The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-08-02
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A Duel in 1880.
TENNYsoN.

A Duel in 1880
[ had just arrived at Marseilcs wit
the diligence, in which three young IN CT
apparently merchants or commercial
travellers, were the companions of m
journey. They came from Paris, an,
were enthusiastic abouts the event
which had lately happened there, aud it
which they boastod of having taken part
| was, for my part, quiet and reserved
for thought it much better, at a tim,
of such political excitement in the soutl
of France. where party passions Away
rise so high, to do nothing that would at
tract attention; and my three fellow
travellers no doubt looked on me as
plain commonplace seaman, who hac
been to the luxurious metropolis for hi.
pleasure or on business My presence
it seemed, did not incommode them. fol
they talked on as if had not been there
Two of them were gay, merry, but rather
coarse boon companions the third an
elegant youth. blooming and tall, with
iuxuriant black curling hair, and dark
soft eyes. In the hotel where we dincd
and where | sat little distance off
smoking my cigar, the conversation turn
cd Oh various love adventures. and the
young man, whom they called Alfred
showed his comrades packet of dcicato-
ly'porfumod letters, and superb lock Of
beautiful fair hair
He hold them that in the DAYS Of
July he had been Slightly wounded and
that his only fear, while lie lay on the
ground, was, that if he died, some mis-.
chance might prevent Clotilde from
weeping over his grave. "But now all
Is WE'LL lie continued. am going to
tetch nice little sum from my uncle at
Marseilles, who is just at this moment
in good.humor. on account Of the dis
comiiturc Of the Jesuits and the Bour.
bons. In my character of one of the
heroes of July, lie will forgive me all my
present and past follies: | shall rass
an examination at Paris, and then set
tie down in quiet, and live happily will
my Clctilde." Thus they talked to.
gether and by-and.by We parted in the
court yard Of tho coach-oliico.
Close by was lrilliantlyilluminod
coffee house entered. ana seated my
sclfata Il little table. in distant corner
of the room. Two persons only were
still in the saloon, in an opposite corner.
and before them stood two glasses of
brandy. One was elderly, stately, and
portly gentleman, with dark-rcd face.
and dressed in quiet colorcd suit; it
WAS easy to perceive that he was n cler.
syman. But the Appearance of the 9th.
er was very striking lIo could not be
far from sixty years Of age, was tall and
thin, and his gray, indeed almost white
hair, which, however, rose from his head
in luxurious fulness gave to his pale
countenancc a peculiar expression that
made one feel uncomfortable. The
brawny neck was almost bare a simple.
carelessl ykuotted black kcrchicf alone
encircled it thick, silver gray whiskers
met together at his chin blue frock-
coat, pantaloons of tho same color silk
stockings, shoes with thick solcs. and
dazzllngly-white waistcoat aud linen.
completed his equipment. A thick stick
leant IN one corner, and his br}ad-brim.
med hat hung against the wall There
was certain conyulsiye twitcning Of the
thin lips Of this person, which was very
remarkable and there seemed, when he
looked fxedly, to be smouldering fire
IN his large, CLASSY, grayish.blue eyes.
lie was, it was evident, seaman like
myseit-a strong oak that fate had shap-
cd into a mast, over which many storm
had clustered, but which had been too
tough to be shivered and still defed the
tempest and the lightning There lay
gloomy resignation as well as a wild fan.
aticism in those features. The large
bony hand, with its immense fingers, was
spread out or clenchcd, according to the
turn which the conversation with the
clergy man took. Suddenly he stopped
up to mo. | was reading a royalist
newspaper, He lighted his cigar.
" You arc right, sir; you are quite
right not to read those infamous Jaco.
bin journals" | looked up and gave
no answer. He continued; "A sail
or ?"
Yes ,ir
And have seen service 2"
"YeSn
You are still III active service ?"
No" And then, to my great salts
faction, for my patience was wellnigh
exhausted, the examination was brought
to conclusion.
Just then, an evil destiny led my
three young fellow travellers into the
room. They soon seated themselves at
a table, and drank some glasses of cham
fagne to Clotilde's health Ali went on
we'll but when they began to sing the
Marseillaise and the Partsienns, the
face of the gray man began to twitch,
and 1t was evident a storm was brewing.
Calling to the waiter, he said with