The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-08-24
A DUEL IN JEST.

ling, there is a story somewhat pointless.
yet inasmuch as il is true, worth noting as
picture of chivalry al romps in the year
sixteen hundred and nineteen.
In Valenta a noble lord whom the dis
Greet chronicler calls, as he calls all the
persons in the tale, by fictitious name,
held feast at the wedding of his daughter
Being the eldest knight Of his order, he in
vined all his brother knights from far and
near 10 assist at his festival and there were
among the guests many young mobiles who
were only Candidates for investilure. Among
these was one The number Of whose ances-
tors was not greater than the number of
the apostels. He was snubbed and
young brasgart, Fracasio who had but two
ancestors missing out OF a pedigree that
went back all the way TO his distinguished
father Adam, was especially merry at the
expense of the youth who had only twelve
grandiathers 10 mention. AT dinner, Fra
casio sat near his victim and IN sport threw
into his face cup of Spanish wine, that
the beauty of his pointed collar. Next TO
the young man sat a knight who was about
10 be his brother in-law, beng already
phghted 10 his sister. By this knight the
insult was at once repaid in kind. Another
cup of wine was thrown at the aggressor-
A friend of Fracasio's who happened TO sit
a, the other table, hurled then his cup of
wine at the new combatant, but this in its
passage sprnkled no less than six people,
who Immediately filled their six cups and
threw them all at the new champion. The
six cups of wine, travelling down the table,
sprlnkled many guests, and in short time
there was general discharge of full wine
from both sides of the tables The lights
were quenched The table was thrown
down, the guests struggled with one another
in the cark. But all this riot was maintain
ed in jest no knight dishonored himself by
the drawing OF deadly weapon. When
the lights were rekindled general amnesty
was declared, the tables were restored, and
everybody returned quietly 10 the celebra-
ton of the wedding feast except one knight,
who had the mouth of lion and chick.
ems Eeart.
This knight, Roderick, mingled big
threats with the laughter of his comrades -
He was not 10 be changed so easily. He
never left unpublished curl who by day
light rubbed against his clothes,in passing,
and was he to forgive those who Drought
their hands too near him in The dark 1t
was true that he had not been taken by the
throat. But somebody had lain with his
nose against the boot-sole. Who was that
man? For he must have his blood The
other knights sought 10 appease their friend
with reasonable and goodnatured words
cups and paid no further heed 10 him
Roderick stood apart still Illuminating neg
lected wrath until al last he also returned to
the table and grcwled as he drank until he
had drunk himself into stupid silence
Somebody then advised that he should be
carried up to bed. and he was put TO bed
by his companions
In the morning Roderick awoke some
what uncertain as TO his position. He slept
in the same room with twelve or fourteen
other knights of his own rank. They were
talking in their beds TO one another. He
ieigned sleep that he might be guided in
his conduct by their manner OF discussion.
They were very charitable TO their comrade,
as knights ought to be. Their poor friend
Roderick was an honest fellow, but he had
been troubled in his cups last night. There
was no sword and gunpowder whatever in
their mention of him. This caused him TO
take heart. He had humbled himself by
looking like a tipsy braggart, he would
give them to understand that If he had used
bold words overnight, he was doughty
| man also when he was sober in the morn
ing His courage must not at all be set
down to the wine cup Suddenly, therefore
| he jumped oul of bed in visible wrath, threw
open the window, and called 10 his servant
in the courtyard for his sword and pistols
He had been put 10 bed last night he
WOulu llSHt tllo WIN "
putting him To bed His expectation was,
that his friends would as they have done
before, entreat him to be reasonable, and
that he would according be reasonable after
having shone his pluck.
But that which had been pitied in Roder.
ick drunk was despised in Roderick sober.
The knights only shrugged their shoulders,
and their braggart friend, bound 10 act out
his part, left them with terrible air of dis.
pleasure.
"Whai is this ?" they said when he was
gone. "Is this endurable? Which Of us
sent the man TO bed? Who is it that has TO
fight him ?"
'The friend who first suggested sending
him to bed was )" said CASTOR Cibo. sit
was too who lighted him to bed with the
leg of chair Fetch me some paperW
So Castor had pen and paper brought and
sat up in his bed 10 write challenge OF ire.
mendous length which he was required to
read TO the whole chamber 1t was declar.
ed 10 be improperly abusive. 1t would
drive Roderck mad with rage and compel
a mortal issue TO what ought to be fight
and cool duel ending perhaps with flesh
wound.