The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-10-02
NEW SERIES.---VOL. 3, NOS,

perfect nmazement-'whHt for! .u, @
He can't see that am insulting him,
and he asks my motives,' sneered Dufay with
course, mocking laugh. .-
Il have lately arrived in Paris replied
Raoul, modestly, 'and could not suppose
that man Of such grave appearance as
yourself would take such offensive pleas
antries.'
'Ah he thinks himself offended Well
that's something The gentlemen of the
new army possesses somewhat slow COM
prehensions, methinks!'
'Sir, it is wrong for you to continue thus /!
How have deserved such treatment =
'Ah my motives again You must ab!
solutely hear them Know then, in the
first place, that there is no necessity for
any motive. but if you insist upon one, learn
that treat as an enemy, every one who
wears epaulettes, since mine have been Ia.
ken from me, and that every soldier who
carries the plume that deccorates your hat,
is bound to prove to me, that he is more
worthy than the old troopers of the 'grunde
armce,' of which formed part
i conjecture your meaning, sir; you are
an officer on half.pny, and you have just
given me one of those provocaions which
you and your comerades cast, on every oc-
casion, in the teeth of the faithful servants
OF the King; always doubted the reality Of
such ruffianism. and it has needed all your
pluin.spoken explanation to persuade me Of
it,
The politeness of Raoul surprised Dufay,
aud somewhat embarrassed him for such
urbanity Of language wns by no means Gus
tomary in these kind Of encounters in the
galleries du bois,' and the Colonel, almost
surprised into II sympathy for his antagonist,
hcsta;ed to push the matter further, and
sa;d-'I perceive that a quarrel does not
suit you. and that it was not this you were
seeking here; was deceived, but no matter,
will soon find another better disposed
than you
in truth, sir, was not seeking quar-
rel, but / meet one, it seems, and accept
it, answered Rauul, without the slightest
emotion.
Bah ! growled the Colonel-his ardor
reviving little at these words.
1T is not continued the young man, 'be
cause you have rudely pushed me, nor be-
cause you have trodden upon my heels; such
petty annoyances could not touch my honor;
but you have spoken in contempt of my
service, you have aspersed my course in
defending the insignia Of nv grade, aud
this double offence demands reIutation und
satisfaction ...
80 much tie better! only desire to
fight, and am Indifferent whether it is your
plume or your boots
Il beg you will desiSt from such language.
Gentlemen about to measure weapons should
respect themselves, and control their
speech
Il am no gentleman, i firth "
sYou a G an officer, sir, and the service
is noble. May | request your name! |
am the Chevaler Raoul de-
4 am Colonel Dufny 4"
At this terrible name, rendered so feafuIly
famous, Raou involunturily started, and
while his friends, who knew the Col. by
sight, remained aloof in sadness and silence
he quietly asked
what is yovr weapon, Colonel!
you have the choice, as the offended par
ty,' replied Dufay, 1T is Indifferent TO me;
sabre, rapler, or pistol, am familiar with
ALL
and |, said Raoul, smiling, 'have never
used any of them, so il is even matter Of
less Importance to me-
The devil!' cried Dufay; you are mad.
You have never fought-never followed the
exercises Of the Acsdamy, and you are an
officer; and you cannot be less than twenty
FIVE. How OH earth have you been cduca-
ted!'
You mistake, sir; I am. it is true, an off,
Ger, and inexperienced in military exercises
but look older than am, and you will
forgive my ignorance when you learn that |
am but eighteen ..........
Fury ! growled the Colonel, 'You are so
strongly made and SO tall, | thought you
we'll able to defend yourself, but you are
only child, it seems, and | will not fight
with you.' #......s a
my age is out Of the question, sir; you
have not insuted my age, but my rank, and
for this you owe me satisfaction
'Once more, tell you. shall not fight
you, it would be murder
my lie, sir, is ever at the service OF my
Princes flag, and no one shall attack
it with impunity.' g...s
'You are brave youth, upon my honor,
and | like you; go, there fore and forget
Not without satisfaction
well take my excuses; the excuses Of
Colonel Dufay, do you heed me; no man on
EARTH even dnred to boast of having received
them before, but when you tell the world
have offered them to you, shall contra
dict you, Are you contentp ge .
mo /! yoa have insnlted me us a soldier;
M n soldier must tha, aIigNve ted - r. m,,sf