The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-08-15

sWhat is that?' exclaimed the French
man, while he grew still more excited at
the GOODNESS of Tom. fsYou mean not to
fgh,!' m
sWhy, Pve nothing tofght for.'
sAh, Morceuu! You can insult nothing,
eh?- Yankee cowdrdn as s1l a
All eyes were turned ut once upon Tom
Wallace, and his appearance plainly told that
the game was up. The hot blood rushed to
his face, and the big veins about his neck
and temples swelled almost to bursting,
while his hands were clutched like smiths
vice, and the quivering Of his colorless lips
and working muscles, revealed a lion within
that had been reused from his rest. I'm
der other circumstances, he would have
struck his taunting adversary to the door,
but he, at length, mastered his feeling, and
turning to the young English traveller, he
said: Tasfssgz,r ,.sSss rs4fE 5ys sn54
captain Clinton, my name is Wallace
Will you attend me at the cafe? My rank is
far below your own, but, under present cir
cumstances, with your own permission,
shall not hesitate to accept the offer you
made me short time since e
"A man shall not want a friend when he
deserves one,' replied Clinton, at the same
time extending his hand, 'and my services
are at your command; but let the arrange
ments be made as soon as possible y
sJean Mardelot,' said Tom, struggling
hard to keep down his rage, syou have now
doubly placed the insult upon me-and both
your insults are such as no gentleman would
have been guilty Of. Lead the way, sir.'
Thn Il "a, al hn
lower side of the same square upon which
stands the Opera House, and thither the
small party turned their steps. Back Of the
cafe ran out long gallery, used for fen
cling and pistol shooting, and to this room
the enraged Frenchman led the way.
'Now, SIR said Mardelot, what are your
weapons 2 @ . .H .--. ss,. FL g..
q want cutlass that weighs at least six
pounds &.,.. ....a ..ss. .,5.
sEatend-it?' asked the astonished officer,
turning to Toms second, and seeming to
doubt that he had heard rightly. 'Sir
Hsres? Mon dieu, line satt pus ce pu Il
uentP fr r...- fs -.
cd sYou have understood him rightly re-
piled the Englishman; she knows perfectly
well what he asks" ....' ...'n .
a Jean Mardelot would have chosen the
light sword or rapier, but he had to give in,
and pair Of stout, metal-hilted cutlasses
were procured. The weapons were about
p inches in length, double-edged and
sharp, weighing between five and six pounds
each. With this weapon Tom Wallace felt
at home, for on board his own ship he was
considered the most expert cutlass player
among the crew; but the mode of operating
which is practiced was, one peculiarly his
own, and generally went by the name Of the
sold Sledge Came" Its movement was
awkward in the extreme, but at the same
time calculated to prove very deceptive to
to the stranger, consisting in series of
gymnastic manipulations not very unlike the
lrishman's mode Of handling his 'dariint
sprig.'
'Do you understand these weapons ask
ed the Frcnchman, as he carefully balanced
his cutlass and took his position.
Il understand my own game, and you can
play yours replied Tom, as he cast a look
of defiance at his antagonist; 'but look out
for your fingers
'Come on, them
No sooner were the words spoken than
Tom crossed the opposite weapon, and then
with sweeping flourish which took the
other by surprise, he brought a back stroke,
so quick and p owerful that the Frenchman's
cutlass went flying to the extremity of the
room, and as it struck with loud ring, our
hero quickly remarked
'Go pick it up, SIR
When Mardelot came back to the mark,
the fire of his eye told plainly that he had
set his soul to the task, and Clinton whis-
pered--
'He's after you, Wallace. Be CAREFUL
This time the Frenchman held his weapon
with a stronger grip, and Tom soon found
that he had to deal with man who was not
easily fooled; yet he had a decided advan-
tage, for he was stronger than .Mardelot,
and could handle the heavy cutlass with
more force. At length when Mardelot was
vainly endeavoring TO work in a peculiar
thrust, Tom commenced his fayorite game
the regular blut-and as his catlass be-
gan to describe inhnitesimal arcs and trian-
giles, his adversary actually recoiled before
the lightning flashes of the swiftly sweeping
blade, and for an instant his point dropped.
The eagle eye of our Yankee caught the
movement and down came the fat of his
ponderous blade, like discharged thunder
bolt, upon the head of Monsieur Jean Mar
delot.
'There, SIR said Tom, turning to the
French second, as his adversary settled up
on the floor like skull cracked OK, ''you'd
better put le Acier Jean to bed as soon as
possible, for think he is troubled with a
severe headache
Bravo, bravo' shouted Captain Clinton,
as he seized our hero's hand. 'That was
nobly done. You must sup with me to-
night
'But, SIR suggested Tom, I'm only a
petty officer in the United States Navy, and
you, sir, are a Captain. Pm afraid Fve
already got myself into hot water.'
sNever mind that,' returned Clinton. sIf
were on duty, it would be another thing;
and as to there being any trouble springing
from this, you need not fear, for the quar-
rel was all of his own seeking. But you
must sup with me--so come along.' -..
Tom Wallace did sup with the English
cavalry captain; and in two days afterwards
the French steamer lie Ionrre,' went to sea
minus her third Lieutenant, which individu-
al was laid up at the hospital with Il seri-
ously cracked skull, and in all probability
ruminating, that is, if his brain was clear
upon the standard value of French heads
when brought within the range of six
pound Yankee Cutlass. @# -
If our readers would feel more interested
by the knowledge of the truth of this sketch,
they may rest assured that such is the fact.
-.-~ MY WIFE'S ECONOMY. r...
Mrs. Jones is jewel of a womnn. The