The Burlington weekly hawk-eye., 1862-11-15
THE CoxComB PUNISHED.

and gave the people in those countries short
respite. Prussia, thoroughly exhausted BY
the tremendous efforts she made to carry on
the war with France, was compelled to reduce
her army to peace footing.
Several officers of that power having obtain
al an unlimited leave of absence met very
ofteu at Hamburg, to enjoy in common the
various pleasures of military idleness.
One day in September, six of them having
aned together, and made more than one liba-
t;on to Backus, they, at the approach OF
night, repaired to the Cafe de Ia Bourse. one Of
the most noted in the city, and made their en-
,rv in most noisy manner. The Baron N
lieutenant, twenty three years of age
the youngest Of that joyous band-rich,
,.nSsome and of noble carriage, but forpish,
self.conceited, and insoent, having noticed an
:sa;,;dnal Of small stature, dressed in black,
a:,.;n. At a table alone, holding in one hand q
s."snaner. s. and in the other long pipe, who
hsS nsid no attention to him on their arrival,
nad bsnr offended, no doubt, by the indiffer-
"ncs bordering on contempt, which he exhib-
:,.J ,nnroached him with the intention Of
.rsnoina the fancied insult. To that end be
I.;d his hand in familiar manner on his
shoulder. swinging himself back and forth,
ond said to him with an ironic smile.
uab. good evening, my little school mas
ter
The man in black raised his eyes and fixed
.hom for two or three seconds on his interlo.
.ntor then looking again on his paper contin-
ued to read
aGod bless me /! he don't answer. All my
droll fellow, won't you answer me? l see
.hot nine is the cause. Come, come-I must,
however, hear that voice"
In a second, with the flip of his finger, the
nine aew to pieces, the lieutenant laughing
loudly at the same time.
Without putting down the paper, or Show
inc any symptoms of being affected by the
;nsult, hs turned toward the counter and
said:
"waiter, another pipe"
That's right. He has at last opened his
mouth
The pipe was lit and the reading resumed.
"Ab SOL What country are you from In
what village do you exercise your talents %
Here the interrogated raised again his eyes
and looked at him as he whitfield two or three
mou,hfuls Of smoke, and lowering his eyes
be seemed rather willing to give all his atten-
tou to his paper.
81 believe you are some kind of savant-
You appear to learn by heart all the news,
30 ss to inform all yodr friends and neigh
bors. But you smoke like Dutchman.-
| That confounded pipe causes you too much
abstraction"
| And as before, the pipe was again rudely
broken.
Without making any movement, without
showing the least sign Of emotion, the So
STYLED schoolmaster merely repeated his first
order:
"waiter, another pipe"
"What fine voice. Little man, you have
the patience Of an angel, or the devil. would
give much to see you mad; it would amuse us
| deliciousy. There --"
An old major, with fne German physiog-
nomy which showed much frankness. true
courage and loyalty, and who came in with
| him. now said in low voice, but loud enough
| to be heard by those near him:
"You comfort yourself like man without
brains. l tell you this game begins to tire me,
\ and the foolish hilarity of our comrades adds
to my impatence, and hardly covers the mur-
murs Of Indignation which your conduct has
provoked in the minds of those present. Quit,
quit, Itell you it is now time"
After saying this. he turned his back to him
and retired into an adjacent hall, whittier he
was followed by his companions, who by their
thoughtless shonts of laughter, covered his re-
proaches. Seated around the gambling table
they began to play. The young lieutenant,
judging by the noise produced by his folly,
had forgotten the insult, played deeply and
WAS winning largely. But an hour had hardly
elapsed when man in black entered the hall
| (dplay,) and approaching him, tapped him
Oh the shoulder, demanding private inter-
view. The young lieutenant, looking at him
over his shoulder, laughed in his face
Monsieur officer" said the man in black,
'lam not a schoolmaster, as you were pleased
to call me. have the honor of being cap
tain in the navy of his Britannia Majesty. You
have insulted me. Idemand Of you full sat-
l;iaction. 1t is due to me and hope you
viii not refuse it. If you do, know well the
means to obtain it. Tomorrow, at seven, |
will wait you here; arm yourself with pistols :"
| Our braggart, who, during this discourse,
mad risen 70 his feet, and had alternately be-
come red and pale, gave no response, but a
DOW Of facquiesence, in fear, no doubt, that the
emotions Of his voice would betray his COM
| pee terror. The captain saluted the rest of
the company, and Immediately left.
With him went all the gayety of the lieuten-
ant. He became thoughtful and taciturn-.
His spirit was no more in the play-he lost all
he had before won.
Aue tuouSul VI to.MOTTUW-tAdt tcIElplc
'o.mOrrOw-frightened him. How much his
adversary would have the advantage over
him.
Suffering, with so much calmness, series
Of aHronts! Proposing duel with that firm
ness that assurance, that impurtabable sang
f'S! Bravery and skill are surely his. Such
we're the ideas that crowded into the young
fsu'enants mind
IN esving the hall they separated with the
pranise 10 meet at the hour indicated. At
seven they met the Englishman was already
a''he rendezvous clad in the uniform ofa SUI
Ps'or officer Of the navy Of his country, cover
eurlth many decorations, and followed by q
se'' richly dressed, who carried small cas-
Aa under his arm. He offered them refresh
.usD's' which were accepted; spoke with cour-
'ssy' and proved themselves to be high.
eH acquainted with the world.
eight o'clock he broke up the sitting, and
.saesed the Prusssn officer to be so kind as
Sesgnate the place where the quarrel could
ss"ied, adding that he was stranger in the
.ls. place, and he would willingly give the