The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-05-13
Saturday Morning, May lS, 1855.
The 0oxcomb Punished.


he war with France, was compelled to reduce
her army TO peace footing. @,f.s4. s.e
Several officers OF that power having OBJ
tained an unlimited leave OF absence, met very
often at Hamburg, to enjoy In common the
various pleasures OF military idleDess.
One day in September. six of them having
dined together, and made more than one liba-
tien 10 Bacchus, they at the approach OF night
repaired to the .Cgfe de la Bourse, one of the
most noted in the city, and made their entry
in the most noisy manner. The Baron NJ,
lieutenant, twenty-three years Of age-the
youngest of that joyous band-rich, handsome
and OF noble carriage, but foppish, selfcon-
ceited and insolent, having noticed an individ-
nal OF small stature, dressed in black, sitting
at a table alone, ,holding in one hand news
paper, and in the other long pipe, who had
paid no attention 10 them on their arrival, and
being offended, no doubt, by the Indifference,
bordering on contempt, which he exhibited,
approached him with the intention of ayeng-
ing the fancied insult. To that end he laid
his hand in familiar manner on his shoulder,
swinging himself back and forth, and said to
him, with an ironic smile:
'Ah, good evening, my little school-master.'
The man in black raised his eyes and fixed
them for two or three seconds on his interl0-
cutor, then looking again on MS paper, contin-
ued to read.
God bless me he don't answer. All, my
droli fellow, won't you answer me? / see
that pipe is the cause. Come, come--I must,
however, hear your voice.
In second, with flip of his finger, the
pipe few to pieces, the lieutenant laughing
loudly at the same time.
Without putting down the paper, or show
ing any symptoms of being affected by the in
suit, he turned toward the counter and said:
Waiter, another pipe
That's right. He has at last opened his
mouth 3 awA
The pipe was lit and the reading resumed.
sAh, sol What country are you from? In
what village do you exercise your talents 2
Here the interrogated raised again his eyes
ana looked at him as he whitfield two or three
mouthfuls of smoke, and, lowering his eyes
slowly he seemed rather willing to give all
his attention to his paper.
. i believe you are some kind OF sdoant.
You appear to learn by heart all the news so
as to INFORM all your friends and neighbors.
But you smoke like Dutchman. That con-
founded pipe causes you too much abstrac-
tion.' 3.i d~
And, as before, the pipe was again rudely
broken. N ssn Hisa
Without making any movement, without
showing the least sign OF emotion, the So
called schoolmaster merely repeated his first
order.
Waiter. another pipe.'
what a fine voice. Little man, you have
the patience of an angel, or the devil. would
give much to seeiyou mad; it would amuse us
deliciously There-'
An old major, with fine German physiog-
nomy, which showed much frankness, true
courage and loyalty, and who came in with
him. came up to him and said, in low voice
but loud enough to be heard by those near
him:
You comfort yourself like man without
brains. tell you this game begins to tire me
and the foolish hilarity Of our comrade adds
to my impatience, and hardly covers the muir
murs of Indignation your conduct has pro-
voked in the minds OF those present. Quit,
quit, / tell you it is now time Ef
Alter 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 shouts OF laughter, covered
his reproaches. Seated around the gaming
table, they began to play. The young lieuten-
ant, Judging by the noise produced by bis fol-
ly, had forgotten the insult, played deeply, and
was winning largely. Butan hour bad hardly
elapsed, when man ia black entered the hall,
(of play,) and, approaching him, tapped him
on the shoulder, demanding q private inter-
view. The young lieutenant, looking atshim
over his shoulder laughed in his face.
Monsieur officer said the man In black, j
am not q shcoolmaster, as you were pleased
to call nae. have the honor of being q cap
tain in u navy of his Britannia Majesty
You have insulted me. demand OF you full
satisfaction 1t is due to me, and hope you
will not refuse it. If you do, l know well the
means to obtain 1t. Tomorrow at seven, ]
will await you here. Arm yourself with pis-
tols.'
Our braggart, who, during this disclosure
had risen to his feet, and had alternately be-
come red and pale. gave no response, but bow
ed acquiescence, In the fear, no doubt, that his
voice would betray his complete terror. The
captain saluted the rest of the company and
Immediately left.
tenant. He became thoughtful and taciturn
his spirit was no more with the play-hs
lost all he had before won.
The thought of to-morrow-that terribl,
o.morrow-frightened him. How much hi
adversary would have the advantage ovel
himl s
Suffering, with so much calmness series o
affrontsl Proposing duel with that firm
ness, that assurance. that imperturbaple sang
froidl Brvery and skill are surely his
Such were the ideas that crowded into the
young mans brain.
On leaving the hall they separated with the
promise to meet at the hour indicated. A
seven they met; the Englishman was alread!
at the rendezvous clad in the costume Of
superior officer OF the navy Of his country
covered with many decorations, and iollowe
by udlet, richly dressed, who carried smal
casket under his arm. he offered them re
freshments, which were accepted; spokeswitl
courtesy, and proved himself to be high-mind
ed and acquainted with the world.
AT eight O'Clock he broke up the sitting
and requested the Prussian officer to be .
kind as to designate the place where the guar
rel could be settled, adding that he was
stranger in the place, and he would willingl
give the choice.
They then retired to q pasturage that la
between Hamburg and Altoona.
Arrived there he asked
what distance will suit you ? ~
Twenty-Five PAGES
That's too much, monsieur. You coul'
not hit me at that distance. Let US say d
teen.'
1t was agreed TO. Meanwhile theSmajor OF
served to the captain that he hadl no sccont
1T is unnecessary, replied the captain, If
fall, my ualet knows what to do'
The major insisted, showed him that 1t wa
contrary to the usages Of the country; &C
cording to that formality the duel could no
take place, but he offered with politeness +
allow 1t to proceed, which offer was accepted
The ground was measured, they took thei
places. The captain, addressing his adverse
nv, made this singular question.
Have you good pistols? because hsv
two pair that never miss their mark wi
give you proof?
Calling to his valet, he opened the box an,
took out one of the pistols which 1t contair
ed. and told him to throw up something II
the air. The valet searched his pockets, bu
- ! IA az