Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-01-21
From the Now York Mercury.
BREECHES vs.. PETTlCOATS.

BREECHES vs.. PETTICOATS.
ny wAtNwWour
'Bct you two to one you can't do it, --"Bet
you an even fifty We recognize you in ten
minutes "-"An oyster supper and a basket
of champagne that YOU are identified before
the evening is over" exclaimed, in rotation.
three fashionably dressed gentlemen, lounging
on the steps of the -- House, the crack
hotel of New Orleans, to fourth. who only
smiled quietly in reply to their excited assev-
erations
The little group was a remarkable one, the
individuality of each member of it being so
strongly marked as to render him noticeable,
even amidst crowd.
Captain Ranger was the first speaker,
dashing officer, who had seen service in the
Mexican war, at once the uglest and most
fascinating man in New Orleans. He had
small dull eyes. thin brstling hair, knobbed
temples a hideous scar across the left cheek,
incompatible impudcnce, uncqualled tact, and
an instructive perception Of the foibles and
weaknesses Of the fair sex, that rendered him
at once the envy and the terror Of the other
lady-killcrs Of New Orleans.
No. ,. was Captain Kenneth of the navy,
jovial, red faced man of fifty, short in stat
ure, but endowed with hcrcuean strength,
fond of wine and women, and most amusing
companion, though somewhat too free in con-
versation and manners for a lady's boudoir.
Walter Fiz-James Montmorency Walsing-
ham, the third speaker, was by profession
poet-that is, made execrable verses, and
grumbled at the brutes of publishers. who re-
fused to pay for them. He was little, thin
skinned and light-haircd, with the conceit of
a Malvolid, the ambition of Caesar. the
waddle of a duck, and the voice of mouse.
Allan Loring the fourth was young man,
slender, but elegant in figure, with hands and
feet feminine in size and beauty, a beardless
face outlined and tinted like that of a hand
some girl sleepy blue eyes, prufuson of
waving curs. and delicate, scornful mouth.
He was the son Of a wealthy New York mer
chant, stranger in New Orleans, and the
recent acquaintance of the thre gentlemen
above described. This worthy trio, attracted
by his beauty, and oompassionating his ap-
parent iragility and inexperience, resolved to
protect him-perhaps proposing to them
selves, as a reward, to ease him of little of
his money in a gentlemanly way But, to
their astonishment and modification, they
found this inexperienced, delicate boy mose
than match for them in whatever games
they proposed, whether of chance or calcula-
tion. lie was not to be outwtted for he
had the presence of mind and the keenness
of perception of North American Indian
And he was to be feared, for the grasp of his
lilly hand was like that of a vice. his nerves
were of steel, his skill in handling weapons
of every kind surprising, and his disposition
that of tiger, though veled by the gentle
and caressing manner of a woman.
Had they at length really gained the ad-
vantage of the young Northerner, when he
accepted the bets with which our story com
menced-even offering to double them, that
he would make his appearance at grand fam
cy dress ball, ON the following evening, so
skillfnlly disguised that they should be un-
able TO recognize HIM