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

forbearance and good behavior, and the
three went on to the lions den. On a
large sign-board, fronting the principal
entrance, was written in enormous guilt
letters the name of the establishment
"Jenny Lind Saloon, far ladies and gen.
tlemen." a@ ' $50 ''
The small party of Texans marched up
to the bar, and Ben Cullum, in a courteous
tone, called for brandy. Ashley touched
their glasses and glanced around the vast
hall where numbers were dining at differ
ent tables, they could not fail to notice
the striking sensation which their advent
had excited All the visages were French.
and from their dress and general appear
and, might have been supposedt to be men,
bers of a genteel class. But all such in
dications, in city life, are deceitful; and
these men of gaudy fashion and perfume
whiskers ascended no higher in the scale
of society than the grade of professional
gamblers, or that of bullies and runners
for disreputable houses. Some of them
gazed upon the Texans with sighs of pity,
others with staring wonder, but most with
countenances of undisguised contempt.
"Let us have three dozen fried oysters, %
ordered Culum, with smiling features; and
he advanced to the centre of the saloon
and seating himself by a table of mottled
marble, picked up newspaper and began
to glance over the columns with the easy
air of one who felt himself at home.
. ..Not there! Yon must not take that
tablet" exclaimed the proprietor of the
establishment in tones of unfeigned terror,
rushing forward and indicating another
position. Il .-isf A.. s,s
"But why should I not remain here?"
asked the youth in a careless voice. ~.
because, that is the situation which
French Bill always chooses. ard I am ex-
pecting him every mement" returned the
owner, trembling and actually pale with
apprehension. ..f afs sI,i s,,,
There is plenty of room for both of u.s."
remarked the Texan, With unruffied equa-
nimity! ...r,s. ...s .,.,a..
'.Whai! Go you imagine that French
Bill would cat at the same table with an
Americana. cried the other, with a look
of stupefaction, as if he doubted the evi-
dence ofhis senses at such unaccountable
auaacity and presumption. -, -
4"It is matter of perfect indifference to
me whether your bully denies or not, an
swered Ben, fixing his eyes again on the
newspaper.
THE fellow must be crazy!" muttered
the bewildered proprietor, as he retreated
behind the bar, as if to be ont of the way
when impending explosion should occur
Indeed an ominous murmur arose from
all parts of the hall. '.The man is a fool!"
observed one, ''He will cut his wisdom
teeth before the day is an hour older!''---
added another. Wont Bill swear the
very devil out Of his den when he finds the
knight of the Mexican blanket in his arm
chair!" exclaimed third. "l wonld rath-
sit on the brink of burning crater!"---
affirmed the fourth.
The general and captain both whisper
ed to their friend to retire, but he refused
even as much as to answer their request,
aud they moved to different table, hop
ing that the duellist, when he should en-
enter, would regard the intrusion Of sin
gle stranger as merely accidental, and
pass it over as such.
Soon middle person, in gold
spectacles, approached the young ranger,
and touching his rainbow blanket, inquired
with an aspect of withering irony-"My
dear boy, will you excuse my curiosity,
but is this pretty thing you wear with SO
much grace really bullet proof?"
"You are welcome to try the expert
ment whenever you like" answered Ben,
in a calm voice.
at will be tried quicker shan you ex-
pect," remarked the other, turning to the
counter for glass of wine.
Presently, several footsteps resounded
at the door, accompanied by shout Of
boisterous laughter, and a score of visages
grew pallid with agitation at the bare ides
of the coming scene, as general whisper
announced There he is! God pity the
lpoor Texan!" s..
AT the instant French Bill entered, ani
called atthe bar for champagne and boilet
chicken. General Henderson and Cap
tain Hays gazed upon the notorious duel
list, and started, in spite of their coolnes
and courage, at the extraordinary ferecit,
of his appearance. He was man of her
culean frame, AID seemingly endowed witt
fabulous strength, if one might judge b,
his enormous breadth and bone,i and th
swelling volumes of sinews about his joints
that looked like bundles of steel 36bres
from his frmness and elasticity Hi
icountenance was concealed by perfee
Jungle of black hair1-all save the dagger
like blazing dark eyes, and a long nose
crooked as the. beak of an eagle. / Wher
ever his .gaudy dress allow it to be. seen
the sable bristling hair showed itself al
over him, even to the end of his fingers
! In fine, he resembled wild beast, clothe,
, in the costume of Frenchman. ,..f
! The proprietor of the saloon whispere,
something in the ear of the savage, and
III uttering a half -stifed cry ofmingled aston
5 ishment and rage, he turned his eyes to
| wards the marble table where the voun,