Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-11-20
B. R. COWEN EDITOR & PROPRIETOR.l
NEW SERIES, VOL TX, NO II ST.
read, and very liable to be mistranslated,

read, and very liable to be mistranslated,
even by the best interpreter"
"Well, to please you, | will be more
cautious on the next OCCASION" said Ben,
with a tnge of malice in his smile.
The companions now sauntered up the
Rue Dauphine, into locality of rather du-
bious reputation for quiet and orderly con-
duct; and all the inmates of the houses
swarmed to the doors and windows to gaze
at the Texan Rangers, for every body recog-
nized them to be such, without hesitation
HAYS, however, soon felt as much surprised
as he was annoyed by the emotions which
their presence everywhere seemed to pro-
duce; for most OF the pretty women that
they met colsred to the eyes, while several
of the bolder sex scowled fur iously, but for
what reason the ranger could not possibly
imagine, as he Gid not observe the sly winks
which Ben, with indiscriminate profusio n,
dealt in all directions among the crowd.
At length stentorian voice hailed them
from one o. the cross streets-"Is that you,
Captain Haysl-ay, and Ben Cullum, tool
What, boys! have you both just dropped
down from the moon"
show are you, General Henderson! How
happened you to be here!" exclaimed the
friends simultaneously, as their old acquain
tance adva need, with a certain air Of exbil-
eration, to shake their hands. The General
was lean, bony, but very athletic man;
extremely III, indeed, So much SO, that he
commonly boosted, after the tenth glass, OF
having more daylight under tin than any
hero of the age. His eyes had nstura ly the
same tint Gs his hair, and both were of the
purest white, while his arms looked long
enough to form fitting mental conception
of the ludicrous figure exhibited by this in
div idual when Influenced by liquor, which
truly appeared to be the proper and normal
state of his nervous system. But to indulge
IN laughter at his expense was most per-
ilous species of amusement; for, if the keen
white detected the fact, they instantly turn
ed red and lurid as live Goals, and he sledge-
hammer of hand was always prompt to
strike as the head of a rattlesnake.
"Whst brought you to the Crescent City
at this season of the year, Geperal!" in
quired Hays.
"Oh, myself and old Sam got on a spree
at the Supreme Court, and he bet me hun
dred dol lars that would not come; aud so
here am" was the characteristic answer.
"Well, let US 20 in there and have drink
together" invited the captain, pointing to-
wards an establishment on the next corner
"Any where else but there," objected
Henderson, earnestly.
"Why not there" asked Hays in aston
ishment
because, that is iavorite resort of
French Bill and his bullies, and they make
it point-a sort of standing jest--to insu
every American that enters the door," urged
the General.
"French Dil! think that have heard
that name before" remarked the captain.
mo doub, of that" returned the other;
Everybody has heard o: the most famous
duelist in the South, as dreadful with the
pistol as the sword, and the first one of his
nation who ever fought with double-barrelled
shot guns, and killed his foe ere he could
touch the trigger
"Did he not shoot Colonel Marks, ol Mo-
bilel"
"Yes, and score of others equally va
liant as well as skilful; and what seems
still more singular, ne has never received a
scratch in any Of his numerous bait ties. His
friends believe that he is charmed against
lead and steel like the great Napoleon"
"Well, we will find some otter place."
suggested Hays; "for do not wish a diff
Guilty with such wild beast"
"But, for my part, intend to drink in that
which mil ght ever hope to tpste," affirmed
Ben Culium, with strange CLEAN in his
burning blue eye'A
In vain the General and Captain both
warmly demonstrated against such useless
temerity. To all their arguments and en-.
treaties the young man rep lied: 81 would
blush to my very bones, and never show my
face in Texas again, if acted as you pro-
pose"
Seeing his unalterable determination, his
companions exacted a promise of special
forbearance and good behavior, and the three
WeHl DD W Tie iOu Acu Oh &c
board, fronting the principal entrance, was
written in enormous gilt letters the name of
the establishment-"Jenny Lind Saloon, for
ladies and gentlemen"
The small party Of Texans marched up to
the bar, and Ben Cul;um, in a courteous
tone, called for brand. As they touched
their glasses and glanced around the vast
hall where numbers were dining at different
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 appearance,
might have been supposed To be members of
a genteel class. But all such indications,
in city life, are deceitful; and these men of
gaudy fashion and perfume whiskers ascend
no higher in the scale OF society than the
grade of professional gamblers, or that of
bulles 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 Cullum, with smiling features; and
he advanced to the centre of the saloon. and
seating himself by q table of mottled mar
hIo nickad nm n nawsnanpr and hpran IN