Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-06-26


cial forbearance and good behaYior. and
the three went on to the lions den. On
lallarge sign board. fronting the principal
entrance, was written in enormous 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 Cullum in q courte-
GUS tone called for some brandy. AS
they touched their glasses, and glanced
around the vast room where numbers
were dining at different tables. they could
not fail to noticeithe sensation which their
advent had excited. All the visages
were French, and from their dress and
appearance might have been supposed
to belong to genteel class. But all such
indications intcity life. are deceitful and
these men Of gaudy fashion and perfumed
whiskers ascend no higher in the scales 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 startling wonder, but most
with countenances OF undisguised con-
tempt, a
!" Let us have three dishes of fried oys.
ters." said Cullum with smiling features.
and he advanced to the center of the
room, and seated himself by 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! You must not take that
table exclaimed the proprietor of the es>
tablishment, in tones of unfeigned terror,
rushing forward and indicating another
position.
But why should not remain here?"
asked the youth in careless tone.
because that is the situation which
French Bill always chooses. and I am ex-
pecting him every moment" returned the
proprietor trembling. and actually pale
with apprehension.
"There is plenty of room for both Of
u.s." remarked the Texan, with unruffled
equanimity.
What do you imagine that French
Bill would eat at the same table with an
American ?" cried the other with a look
Of stuperfac!ion, as if he doubted the evi-
dence OF his senses at such unaccountable
audacty and presumption.
1t is matter of perfect indifference
to me whether your bully dimes or not,"
said Ben. fixing his eyes again upon the
newspaper.
The fellow must be crazy !" mutter-
ed bewildered proprietor, as he retreated
behind the bar; ms if to be- out Of the
way when tie impending explosion should
take place. Indeed an ominous murmur
arose from all parts of the hall. The
man is fool" observed one. " He will
cut his wisdom teeth before the day is an
hour older,'' added another. " Won't
Bill swear the very devil out Of his den
when he finds the night of the Mexican
blanket in his arm chair ?" exclaimed a
third. 81 would rather sit on the brink
of u burning crater" affirmed fourth.
The General and Captain both whis
pered to their friend to retire. but he re-
fused even SO much as to answer their
request. and they moved to different ta-
BILE, hoping that the duelist. when he
should enter would regard the intrusion
of single stranger as merely accidental
and pass it ae such.
Soon middle aged person. with gold
spcctacles on, approached the young ran
ger, and touching his rainbow blanket,
enquired in a withering irony.
My dear boy, will you pardon my
curiosity, but is this pretty thing you
wear really bullet proof 2"
You are welcome 10 try the expert
ment whenever you like" answered Ben
in calm voice.
" 1t will be tried quicker than you ex>
pect." remarked the other turning TO the
counter for a glass of wine.
Presently several footsteps resounded
at the door accompanied by shout Of
boisterous laughter, and score of visa
ages grew pale with agitation at the bare
idea Of the coming scene, as general
whisper announced. There he is God
pity the poor Texan 90 At that instant
French Bill entered. and striding up to
the bar, called for champagne and brOied
chicken. Gen. Henderson and Captain
Hays gazed upon the notorious duelist.
and started in spite of their GOODNESS and
courage at the extraordinary cruel fero.
city OF his appearance. He was man of
herculean frame, and seemingly endowed
with fabulous strength. if one might
judge by his enormous breadth and bone,
and the volumes Of sinew about his joints,
that looked like bundles of steel fibres
from their frmness and elasticity. His
countenance was concealed by a perfect
jungle of black hair-all save the dagger
like blazing dark eyes. and a long nose.
crooked as the beak Of an Eagle. When>
ever the gaudy dress would allow it to be
seen, the sable bristling hair showed itself
all over him even to the ends of his fin
gers in fine. he resembled wild beast
clothed in the costume of freedman
The proprietor whispered somewhat in
Of the ear of the savage. and ut
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