Butte record. (Bidwell, Butte County, Cal.) 1853-1858, 1855-06-23
"Come back, [ say. ,

desert, and most of them went on deck.
Savage went up, and as soon as he saw
Legrand standing by the weather mizzen
rigging he passed over
Mr. Legrand," said he in a highly
pompous tone, why did you leave the
dinner table -
IS mply because 1 wished to-" camly
replied The young man.
''But why did you wish to leave it -
THAT is question l choose not to
answer"
"But 1 choose that you shall"
90, | would answer it with pleasure,
if thought it would benefit you any to
know. But fear you would not i'm
prove it even were. | to tell you"
"Allow me to be judge. Tell me-"
"Since you are SO urgent |, will COM
ply" returned Legrand, in a perfectly
calm and pleasant voice.
''Thc truth is, sir, your conduct and
speech were SO unpleasant that, | suffer-
ed exceedingly, and so | chose to leave
you with those who were better calculated
to enjoy or put up with it."
''Ah, uttered the captain, while his
check flushed, and bis llp trenblrd =,
"and may be so bold as to inquire what
part Of my conduct you thought unbe
coming gentleman p
"All of it SIR"
"Do you mean to say that 1 am not a
gentleman !
II have said no such thing. have
simply answered your question:
"Bat you have intimated that my con.
duet was not gentlemanly."
eyes, sir. have plainly said 500
! "Ah, now | have it, / shall demand
satisfaction for that. You shall find, sir;
tlat no one calls my character in ques-
tior. with impunity.'
soTL en-, my dear sir,n said Lcgrand,
"when will you endeavor to have some
respect for the feelings of others -
II have, sir, al that is necessary
Do you suppose tlat care for your siek>
euing, boyish, soft = it'd piety' Not a
bit of it. You have inlu,'ted me. First
At the tabIe-for actions 5, a,1ea K as well as
words. Your leaving as yeu did, and
thus interrupting me IN the m.'d>t OF a
narrative, was gross insult, and you
meant it as such"
"You are mistaken, sir"
"You lie sir ~ exclaimed Savage now
fairly enraged at the young mans per-
feet GOODNESS. "You did mean it as an
insult. Now, sir, you must answer for
it. You shall answer for it. VIII You
t. ke the sword, or pistol ~
..Neither, sir. Ler me be in peace
that is all 1 ask
you wont fight, eli :"
s.No sir"
'Now will you y
As Savage spoke, be struck the young
man with the fat OF his hand upon the
cheek.
"Now will you fight :"
Waltsr Legrand turned as pale as
death, but not nerve nor muscle NOV
ed. In moment more the blood returned
to his face, and he looked the brutal man
calmly in the eye.
ssCaptain Savage" he at length said,
in low, tomb-hke voice, 81 cannot fight
YOU nor have | any wish to do it, If yor
feel happier after what you have done,
YOU are welcome to the emotion. You
may think my course strange one, but
have no explanation to make"
"Coward ~ Kissed the brute.
Again the deadly pallor spread over
the young mans face, and | could see
that the nails of his fingers were fairly
eating into the palms of his hands. he
was silent for moment, and when he
smoke again it was in the same calm
strange tone:
"Captain Savage, leave me sir.
have harmed YOU not, and now [ am IN
the possession of my senses. Leave me,
or | may be made mad-man-"
Savage was upon the point OF saying
more when | interfered.
Captain said l, .'lst this subject
drop nov. You are wholly1n the fault,
and viii see the young man abused no
more"
ssDo you interfere = exclaimed Saw
age, tu ming madly towards me