Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-08-08

case of duelling pistols on the table, and with
a dexterous twist sent one pair of boxing
gloves rolling at the feet of the Comte, while,
pulling on the other, he stood in an attitude OF
defence before the astonished Frenchman.
GO What is this?' enqured the Comte de
Barbebiche.
lishman. ssHere are weapons; take your
| choice-pistols, rapiers, or the gloves. Fight
| with one of them you must, and shall, or aban-
don your claim to Joan of Arc.''
ssMon Dieul What Joan of Arc do not
have the felicity of knowing the lady"
Sc You may see her, Am Graben,' gravely
replied Mlor, & outside shop door, done in
oil.o
"Heh!" exclaimed the astonished Comte,
in oil-an Esquimaux, or Tartar, pray 20
Sc sMonsieur lie Comte I.want no trifing. Do
you persist in the purchase of this picture p
have set my heart upon it l love i; ; have
sworn to possess it. Make it matter of mo-
ney, and 1 will give you thousand pounds
for your bargain; make it matter of dispute,
and will fight you for it to the death; make
it a matter of friendship, and yield up your
right, and 1 will embrace you as brother,
and be your debtor for the rest of my life.''
The Comte de Barbebiche-secing that he
had to do with an Englishman degree, at
least, more crazed than the rest Of his coun-
trymen-entered into the spirit OF the matter
at once, and chose the easiest means of extri-
catinu himself from n difficulty
"Milor,'' he exclaimed, advancing towards
him, 9: 1 an charmed with your sentiments,
your courage, and your integrity. Take her,
Milor,-take your Joan of Arc; would not
attempt to deprive you of her if she were a
real flesh and blood Pucelle, and my own sis
ter.''
The Englishman, with a grand oath, seized
the Comtc's hand in both his own, and shook
it heartily, then scrambling up his parapha-
MALTA of war, spoke hurried farewell, and
disappeared down the stairs.
The grey of the morning saw Milor in full
evening costume, pacing the Graben with
hurried stebs, watching with anxious eyes the
shop front where his beloved was wont to
hang. He saw her carried out like shutter
from the house, and duly suspended on the
appointed hook. She had lost none of her
charms, and he stood with arms folded upon
his breast, entranced for a while before the
figure of the valient maiden.
Herr Wechsel,'' said he abruptly, as he
entered the shop; :. LIE Comte de Barbebiche
has ceded his claim to me. l repeat my offer
for your Joan of Arc-decide at once, for l
am in hurry
1t certainly does appear surprising that
Herr Wechsel did not close in with the offer
at once perhaps he really had an affection for
his picture; perhaps he thought to improve
the bargain; or, more probably, looking upon
his strange customer so undoubtedly mad,
as to entertain serious fears as to his ever re-
ceiving the money. Certain it is, that he re-
spectfully declined to SELL
You refuse 20 shouted Milor, striking his
clcnched fist upon the counter; e.then, by
Jove! Ill-but never mind 20 and he strobe
into the street.
The dusk of the evening saw Mior in the
dress of porter, pacing the Graben with
steady step. He halted in front of his cher
ished Joan with the utmost coolness and de-
unlocked the painting from its nail,
and placing it carefully, and with the air of a
workman, upon his shoulder, stalked away
with his precious burden.
Imagine the CONSERVATION of Herr Wechsel
upon the discovery of his loss. His pride.
his delight, the chief ornament of his shop
was gone; and, moreover, he had lost his
money. But his sorrow was changed into sur
prise, and his haif-tearful eyes twinkled with
satisfaction as he read the following epistle.
delivered into his hands within an hour after
the occurrence =
Sm You will find placed to your credit in
the imperial Bank of Vienna, the of five thou
sand pounds, the amount proffered for your Joan
of Arc. Your obstinacy has driven me into the
commission of misdemcanor. God forgive YOU
But have kept my word
:. am already beyond your reach, and you
viii search In vain for my trace. In considera-
ton for your feelings and to cause YOU as little
annoyance as possible, l have placed mn Joan of
Arc into the hands of skllful artist; and trust
10 FORWARD you as accurate a copy as can be made.
. ours, MOUSTPLEAsANT."
And Milor kept his word, mein Lieber, and
the copy hangs, Am Graben, to this day in
the place of the original. The original shines
among the paintings in the splendid eollec-
tion of Milor at Mountpieasant Castle
will not pretend to say, concluded yater
Bohm, reloading his pipe, that the English
have any taste, but they certainly have
strange passion for pictures; and, let them
once get an idea into their heads, they are the
most obstinate people in the world in the
pursuit of it.
JUVENILE SIMPLIcITY.-A friend says the