The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-11-12

their time, in the shooting gallery and
fencing school," returned the other, seri-
ously. fs'fol q tl4a tt'5
"But, what is all that compared to the
practice of a Texan Ranger?" cried Ben,
with enthusiastic admiration. 1--WE learn
to aim at live Camanches instead of paper
figures, and when the bullet strikes, ii
does not ring the bell, but the death how
of the Indian warrior!"
r"I would never advise friend of mine
to take an insult tamely," answered Hays
in tranquil, yet determined tones; "but
deem it both folly and inhumanity to pro.
woke acts which naturally tend to useless
aud cruel bloodshed."
"Such is my own opinion, too," affirmed
the youth, with slight blush; "but
would as soon receive a blow in the face
as contemptuous look, and such has been
the real foundation of all my dozen COM
bats.n Aff 'f ~ pass
"You should first have sought an amia.
BILE explanation, before proceeding to the
fatal ISSUE" urged the other. "The coun-
tenance of man is. at best, difficult ciph-
er to read, and very liable to be mistrans-
lated, even by the best interpreter"
e"Well, to please you, will be more
cautious on the next OCCASION" said Ben
with tinge of malice in his smile.
The companies now sanntered up the
Rue Dauphine, into a locality of rather
fduh;o,c ranuto+;on for ou;at ond ord ar1 y
conduct; and all the inmates of the houses
swarmed TO the doors and windows to
gaze at the Texan strangers, for everybody
recognized them to be such, without hes
ltation. Hays, however, soon felt as much
surprised as he was annoyed by the emotions
which their presence everywhere seemed
to produce; for most of the pretty woman
that they met colored to the eyes, while
several of the bolder sex scowled furiously,
but for what reason the ranger could not
possibly imagine, as he did not observe
the sly winks which Ben, with indiscrimi-
nate profusion, dealt in all directions a
mong the crowd.
At length astentorian voice hailed them
from one of the cross streets-Is S that you,
Captain Hays?-ay, and Ben Cul!um, too?
What, boys! have you both just dropped
down from the moon?"
"How are you, General Henderson?
How happened you to be here?" exelain,-
ed the friends simultaneously, as their old
acquaintance advanced, with certain air
Of exhilaration, to shake their hands.
The General was lean, bony, but very
athletic man; extremely tall, indeed--so
much so, that he commonly boasted, after
the tenth glass, of having more daylight u.i-
der him than any other hero of the age
His eyes had naturally the same tint as
his hair, and both were of e.purest white,
while his arms looked long enough to
form fitting mental conception of the
ludicrous figure exhibited by this individ-
ual when Influenced by liquor, which tru-
ly appeared to be the proper and normal
state of his nervous system. But to in
dulge in9laughter at his expense was a
most perilous species of amusement; for,
if the keen white detected the fact, they
instantly turned red and lurid aslive Goals,
and the sledge-hammer of "a hand was al
ways prompt to strikeas the head of rat
tlesnake. ae IA t.,;...
3 "What brought you to the Crescent
City at this season of the year, General?''
inquired Hays. 4 .
"Oh, myself and old Sam got on a
spree at the Supreme Court and he bet
me hundred dollars that | would moi
come; and so, here am" was the charac-
tsristic answer.
"Well, let us go in there and have a
drink together" invited the captain, point.
ing towards an establishment on the next
corner.
"Any where else but there" objected
Henderson, earnestly.
'sWhy not there" asked Hays in aston
| ishment ..,.ft
because, that is q favorite resort O
French Bill and his bullies, and they make
| it q point-a sort of standing jest-tc
insult every American that enters tn,
door," urged the General. ,. @
"French Bill! / think that,I have heart
that name before" remarked the cap
tain. ,es s,.si n
its.N doubt of that, !, returned the other
Everybody has heard of the most famou
duelist, in the South, as dreadful with tn
lpistol as the sword, and the first one G
his nation who ever fought with double
barrelled shot guns, and killed his foe Ell
he could touch the trigger.l',. 5A gs
4 "Did he not shoot Colonel Marks, {
MobileW I waa Kfssg as 81
4 i Eyes, andla score Of others eqally va
liaut. as well skilfnl; and what seems ,sti
more singular, he has. never received
lscrach in any of his numerous battles
His friends believe that he is charmed 9
gainst lead and steel like the great Ns
poleoL." s.Ilzsa rs 4aE ,s.9.t
.sWell, we viii find some other place,
Suggested Hays; .for / do otwish diff
Guilty with such wild BEAST" ;s,ls 4
4 "But, for my part, ] intend to drink i
that house, even if it should be the Las
u cup which might ever hope, to taste,
IL q offirmad Rani Gul1un NTH n ctron o,o r.1oo,