Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-03

entrance, was written in enormous gilt
letters the name of the establishment
g Jenny Lind Saloon, for Ladies and
Gentlemen
The small party of Texans marched
up to the bar, and Ben Cullum, in a
courteous tone, called for brandy. 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 Wis
ages were French, and, from their dress
and general appearance, might have been
supposed to be members of genteel
class. But all such indications, in city
life, are deceitful and these men of gau-
dy fashion and perfumed whiskers as
cended no higher in the scale of society
than the grade of professional gamblers,
or that of bullies and runners for disre-
putable houses. Some of them gazed
upon the Texans with signs of pity, 9th
ers with staring wonder, but most with
counteEances of undisgaised contempt.
"Eet us have three dozen fried oys-
ters," ordered Cullum,. with smiling fea-
lures, and he advanced to the centre of
the saloon, and seating himself by table
of mottled marble, picked UP anewspaper
and began to glance over the columns
with the easy air of one who felt himself
at home.
Not there! You must not take that
table," exclaimed the proprietor of the
establishment, in tones Of unfeigned ter
ror, rushing forward and indicating an
other position.
"But why should not remain here p
asked the youth, in a careless voice.
Because, that is the situation which
French Bill always chooses, and l am
expecting him at every moment" return
ed the owner, trembling, and actually
pale with apprehension.
There is plenty of room for both Of
u.s. said the Texan, with unruffled equa-
nimity.
What! do you imagine that French
Bill would eat at the same board with an
American p cried the other, with look
of stuDefactions as if doubling the eyi,
dence of his senses at such unaccoanIa
BILE audacity and presumption.
at is a matter of perfect indifference
to me whether your bully dimes or not,
answered Ben, fixing his eyes again Oh
the newspaper.
"The fellow must ecrazy" muttereC
the bewildered proprietor as he retreate'
behind the bar, as if to be out Of the wa,
when the impending explosion shoul'
occur.
, Indeed, an ominous murmur aroS
from all parts of the hall.
"The man is fool" observed one.
| He will cut his wisdom teeth betor
: the day is an hour older" added an
other.
" Won't Bill swear the very devil ou
of his den when he finds the knight of tn
Mexican blanket in his arm chair" ez
claimed third.
81 would rather sit on the brink of
burning crater affirmed fourth.
The General and Captain both whii
= pered to their friend toretire, but he r'
> fused even so much as to answer the
request, and they moved to a differei
table, hoping that the duellist, when /
should enter, would regard the intrinsic
of single stranger as merely accidents
+ and pass it over as such.
\ Soon a middle-aged person in go
st spectacles approached the young range
h and touching his rainbow blanket, inqui
* ed with an aspect of whitening irony
"My dear boy, will you pardon my cul
), osity, but is this pretty thing that y
wear with so much grace really bull
" proof?''
at You are welcome to try the expe
ar ment whenever you like" answered Be
r in calm voice.
70 :" 1t will be tried quicker than you e
,e Ipect,,v said'the ether, turningtothe cou
ter for glass of wine.
!" Presently several footsteps resonnd
a at the door, accompanied by shout
boisterous laughter, and a score of V
in ages grew pallid with agitation at t
st bare idea of the coming scene, as a g
n eral whisper announced" There he
in God pitythe poor Texan"
At the instant French Bill enter
th and, striding to the bar, called for cha
,e- payne and broiled chicken. Gene
ITS Henderson and Captain Hays gazed |
d: on the notorious duellist, and started,
nd spite of their coolness and courage, at
1 extraordinary cruel ferocity of his
pearance.