The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-12-07


In its place was one with two gray eyes
which flashed like fire, and = mouth that
set itself very firmly.
"Thc Compte dc v" he repeated
in a low voice.
Eyes, Monsieur. And what have you
to say against him p
81? O nothing"
That may be well for you"
"But there are those who say he is a
coward" .
That is enough" said the bnlly start
ing to his feet. ''Monsieur will find me
in two hours at this address," finging
him a card.
81 shall not trouole myself to seek
Monsieur lie Compile" replied the straw
berry eater, calmly tearing the card in
two
Then | shall say of Monsieur what
he, permitting himself to lie, said just
now of me-
"And that is ?"
"That he IS 4 coward"
you may say what you please, Mon
sicur le Comptc. Those who know me
would not believe you,and those who do
not-my faith. what care l what they
think?'
"And thou-thou art Frenchman p
No one but q Frenchman could have
thrown so much disdain as he did into
that 'Ih0W."
The strawberry cater made no reply,
but turned his head and called 'Garcon 2
The poor trembling creature came up
again, wondering what new dilemma was
preparing for him, and stood quakinG
some ten yards off.
'Garcon," said the stranger, sis there
a room vacant in the hotel 2"
"Without doubt, Monsieur"
a large onc:'
"But certainly, They are all largo
own apartments"
"Then engage the largest for NE for
to day, and another-no matter what
for Monsieur le Comte.",
monsieur, l give my own orders
when necessary" said the Count loftily.
Il thought TO spare you the trouble.
Go, if You please, (this to the waiter,
and prepare my rooms.
Then the strawberry eater returned to
his strawberries. The bully gnawed his
| lip. He could not make head or tail of
this phlegmatic opponent. The circle
grew a little wider, for horril idea got
abroad that the Count had not found one
who was likely to suit him, and that he
would have to seek elsewhere what he
wanted.
The murmur that went round reused
the bully. +,
"Monsieur," he hiesed, "has presumed
to make use of word which among
men Of honor"
II beg your pardon Z?
(Which among men Of honor"
"But what can Monsieur le Compte
possibly know what is felt among men OF
honor :" asked the other, with q shrug
Of incredulity.
"Will you fight yourself with me, or
will You not ?" roarcd the Count, goaded
to fury.
sIf Monsieur lie Comte will give him
self the trouble to accompany me to the
apartment which, no doubt, is now pre-
pared for me-" replied the stranger, rls-
inc, Il will satisfy him.
"Good," said the other, kicking down
his chair; II am with you. | waive the
usual preliminaries l only beg to OBJ
serve that | am without arms; but if
you"
80, don't trouble yourself on that
score," said the stranger with grim
smile. eff you are not afraid, follow
me-"
This he said in voice sufficiently loud
for the nearest to hear. and the circle
parted right and left, like startled sheep,
as the two walked towards the house.
Was there no one to call police" no
one to try and prevent What to all seem
ed imminent Not a soul! The dread
ed duelist had his evil it on, and every
one breathed freely now that he knew the
victim was selected. Moreover, no one
supposed it would end there.
The Count and his friend { p were ush-
cred into the apartment prepared for the
latter, who, as soon as the garcon had
left, took off his coat and waistcoat, and
proceeded to move the furniture SO as to
leave the room free for what was to fol
low--the Count standing with folded
arms, glaring at him the while. The
decks being cleared for action, the stran-
ger locked the door, placed the key on
the mantcl piece behind him, and said:
q think you might have helped lit
tie; but never mind VIII you give me
your attention for five minutes =
Perfectly"
Thank you. l am, as ] have told
you,y "a Frenehman, but | WAS educated
in England, at one of her famous pub
lie schools. Had been sent to one Of
our own Lycces, should, perhaps, have
gained more book knowledge, but, as it
is, have learned some things which we
do lot teach, and one of them is, not to
take q mean advantage of any man, but
to keep my own head with my own
hands. Do you understand me, Mon
sicur le Comtc?"
Il cannot fIatter myself that do"
.Ha! Then must be more explicit
learned, then, that one who takes ad-
vantage Of mere brute strength against
the weak, or who, practiced in any art,
compels one Impractical in it to contend
with him, is coward and knave. Do
YOU follow me now, Monsieur lie Comtc !?
Il came here, Monsieur"
Never mind for what you came; be
content with what you will get. For ex-
amplc-to follow what | WAS observing
ii u man skilled with the small sword,
for the mere vicious love of quarreling,
goads to madness 4 boy who has never
fenced in his life, and kills him, that man
is murderer; and morc-a cowardly
murderer, and knavish."
Il think | catch your meaning; but if
you have pistols here" foamcd the
bully.
ii do not come to cat strawberries
with pistols in my pockets replied the
other in the same calm tone he had used
l1Lr,uohout "AlInw mo tO cOnlinun -