The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-01-26
MISCELLAN US.
THE TEST OF COURAGE.
FROM THE FRENCH.

One evening, short time after the bat
lie OF Folenoy, (l745) group OF the kings
body guard was congregaied near the In.
tona basin, at Versailles, listening 10 two oi
their number, discussing subject which,
at ,ha, period, was rarely matter Of con-
,roversy in military circles.
"Refuse duel after public ailront "
exclaimed the iallest Of the speakers,
whose bronzed feau,ures were rendered al.
mos, ferocious by thick red moustache ;
" il is stain that all the waters of the del
uge would not wash away"
"I repeat, Monsieur De Malalour," re.
piled the other in calm, polite tone, "thal
there is more true courage in refusing than
in accepting duel. What is more com.
mon than 10 yield 10 passion, envy, or ven
geance and what more rare than 10 resist
them! Therefore !, is a virtue when ex-
hibiled at the price Of public opinion; for
what costs nothing is esteemed as worth
nothing"
"a marvel Monsieur d'Argen.re, ]
would advise, if ever the king gives You
the command of company, 10 have ensra-
ven on the sabres the commandmeni,-
Thou shalt do no murder.
"And wherefore not! His majesty
would have better servants, and the country
fewer bullies. Take, as an example, him
with whom you seem so much incensed I;
has he not nobly revenged what you would
call an atfroni, by taking, with his own
hands AN enemy's colors, while your knaves
mos, probably, formed prudent reserve
behind The enemy's baggage!"
"Cowards themselves have their mo.
men,s Of courage"
"And the brave also their moments OF
fears
"The expression is not that of gentle
man.
at is ,ha, of Monsieur de Turenne,
whose family equaled any Of ours, and
who allowed that he was no, exempt from
such moments. Everybody has heard Of
his conduc, to bragadocio, who boas,ed
in his presence that he had never known
fear. He suddenly passed a lighted candle
under the speakers nose, who instantly
drew back his head, 10 the grea, amuse-
men, Of the bys,anders, who laughed hear.
lily n, this singular mode OF testing the 9th
er's assertion"
"None but marshal Of France had dar.
ed 10 Try such pleasantly. To our sub
ject, sir. maintain that your friend is a
coward, and ycu,-
"And L." reaea,ed D'Argentre, his
eyes flashing, and his lips firmly compress.
ed.
"Holla, gentlemen - exclaimed third
party, who, owing 10 the warmth Of the ar
gument, had joined the group unperceived
This is my affair."" said he 10 Monsieur
D'Argeu,re, holding his arm then turning
10 his adversary, added" Monsieur de
Mala,our, am at your orders"
AIN that case, after you, II necessary"
said D'Argen,re, with lis usual calmness.
"By my honor, you charm me gentle,
men Let MS 60"
"One moment replied the new conner
who, young as he was, wore the cross o
ST. Louis.
" No remarks. Gentlemen, hasten.
"Too great haste in such cases, evinc es
less con,emp, for death than an anxiety
10 ge, rid Of his phantom"
g listen, sir"
"Monsieur d'Argen,re just now stated
that the bravest have their moments oi
fear. Wiihou, taking as serious his anec.
doie Of Monsieur dc Turenne, shall add
that, with the exception tha, exists between
muscles and nerves, the courage OF The du'
ellist is more an affair Of habit than OF prin-
ciple for i, is the natural stale OF man TO
love peace, i! not for The sake OF others, al
leas, for himself. Do you wish me 10
prove j, ~"
Enough, sir; we are moi here to listen
10 sermon"
"Yet moment. Here is my proposil
ion-we are all assembled here this eve-
ming, previous 10 our leave OF absence -
invite you, then, as also these gentlemen
present, to bear hunt OIL my estate, or
rather amongs, the the precipices OF Cla,,
in The Eastern Pyrenecs. You are very ex.
pert, Monsieur de Malatour-you can snuff
candle with pistol at nine PAGES, aud
YOU have no equal at the small sword
Well, | shall place you before bear, and
If you succeed,-I do not even say in
lodging ball in his head, bu; merely in
firing upon him. shall submit immcdi.
aiely after, 10 meet you face 10 face with
any weapons you choose 10 name, Since il
is only nj that price am TO gain your good
opiuion.'
care YOU playing comedy, sir I"
"Quiie the contrary. And even re-
pea, that this extreme haste shows more
the courage Of the nerves, than the true
Courage, arising from principle"
"What guarantee have /, should ac-
cep, your proposition, that you will not
again endeavor to evade me?"
"My word, sir; which take all my
comrades 10 witness, aud place under the
safeguard Of their honor"
There ran through his auditory such a
buzz Of appreciation, that De Malaiour,
though with bad grace was obliged 10
accede 10 the arrangement Il was then
agreed tina, on the frs, Of September, all
pTesen, should assemble at the Chateau du
Clat.
Willis, the young lord OF the manor is
making the necessary preparations for their
reception, we shall explain the accusation
OF which he was the object, yet which had
no, branded him with any mark Of dis.
grace among class Of men so punciilious
on the poin, OF honor. go
The young Baron De Ville,ron, in enter
inc amongst the gentlemen who formed The
household guard Of the king Of France,
carried with him principles which remain.
ed uncorrup,ed amidst all the frivoliiies OF
one Of The mos, licen,ious courts in Europe.
Such, however, is tho charm Of virtue,
-. a.. ,h, ,,,d.t M v,ca tha, H.. .x....
plary conduc, had not only gained him the