The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-04
Crushing q Duellist.

In the year 1S3-there lived at Bordeaux
the last-or one of the last--of long limo
OF scoundrels who had made that part of
France Infamous Ito our ideas) by success
sion of cold-blooded murders, committed
under the sanction of what people were
pleased to call the Code of Honor. This
was certain Comte de Vs. man of
great physical strength, imperturable sanq-
trosd, and relentless cruelty. Not bad
sort OF companion, as some said, when the
fit-the duelling fit-was not on him but
this came on once in about every six months,
and then he must have blood, it mattercd
little whose. lie had killed and manned
boys of sixteen, fathers of families, mill
tary officers, journalists, advocates, peace
full country gentlemen. The cause of quar-
rel was of no Importance if one did not
present itself readily, he made one always
continuing that, according to tho code afore-
said, he should be the insulted party, thus
having the choice of weapons and he was
deadly with the small sword. 1t is difficult
for us to realize state of society in which
such wild beast could be permitted to 20
at large; but we know it to be historically
true that such creatures were endured in
France; just as we are assured that there
were at one time wolves in Yorkshire only
the less noisome vermin had harder time
OF it as civilization progressed than was
dealt out to the human brute.
The latest exploit of the Comte dc v
previous to tho story I am about to tell
was to goad poor young student into a
challenge and when it was represented to
him that the boy had never held sword in
his life, so that it would be fairer to use
pistols, he replied that fools sometimes
made mistakes with pistols" and the next
morning ran him through the lungs. The
evil fit was on him but the blood thus shed
quoted him for another half year, and
rather more, for public opinion was unfa-
vorable, and the air of Bordeaux became
too warm for him.
But the scandal blew over after time,
and he came back to his old haunts, one of
which was cafe by the riverside, where
many used to spend their Sunday. Into
the little garden of this establishment our
wolf staggered one fine summer afternoon,
with the heavy dark look and nervous
twitching Of the hands which those who
were acquainted with Linn knew woll meant
mischief. The evil fit was on him conse-
quently he found himself the centre of
circle which expanded as he went on This
did not displease him. He liked to be
feared. He knew he could make quarrel
when he chose, so he looked around for a
victim.
At a table almost in the middle of the
garden sat a man of about thirty years of
age, of middle height, and an expression
of countenance which at first struck one as
mild and good-humored. He was engaged
reading journal which seemed to interest
him, and eating strawberries, an occupa-
ton which does not call forth any latent
strength of character. Above all, he was
profoundly unconscious of the presence of
NJ. lie Comte de V, and continued eat
ing his Strawberries and reading his paper
as though no wolf were in that pleasant
fold.
AS the count approached this table, it
became sufficiently we'll known whom he
was about to honor with his insolence and
the circle narrowed again to see the play.
1t is not bad sport with some of us, to see
fellow creature especially when
we are out of danger ourselves.
The strawberry eaters costume was not
such as was ordinarily worn in Franco at
that time, and he had a curious hat, which
the weather being warm-he had placed
on the table by his side. "Hc is foreign
err" whispered some in the dress CIRCLE
"Perhaps he does not know Monster lie
Comte."
Monsieur lie Comte seated himself at the
table opposite the unconscious stranger,
and called loudly "Garcon y
"Garcon," he said, when that function
airy appeared, "take me away that nasty
thing" pointing to the hat aforesaid.
| Now the strangers elbow, as he read his
journal, was on the brim of the "nasty.
thing" which was a very good hat, but of
British form and make. Tho garcon was
embarrassed.
"Do you hear me?" Numbered the count
"Take me that thing away?" No one has
right to place his hat on tho table,
81 beg your PARDON" said the straw
berry eater, politely, placing the offending
article on his head, and drawing his chair
a little aside; 81 will make room for mon
sieur.'
The garcon was about to retire we'll sat
!sfied when the bully called after him:
"IIave not commanded you to take
that thing which annoys me away?'
"But, Monsieur lie Comic, the gentleman
has covered HIMSELF
"What does that matter to mc?''
"But, Monsieur lie Comte, it is impossi-
ble"
| "What is impossible ?"
"That should take the gontleman's
hat
'By no MEANS" observed tho stranger
uncovering again. "Be so good as to carry
my hat to the lady at the counter; and ask
her, on my behalf, to do me the favor to
accept charge of it for the present."
You speak French passably well for
foreigner said the bully, stretching his
arms over the table and looking his neigh
Dor full in tho face-a litter of contempt
going round the circle.
GO / am not Il foreigner, monsieur
GO am sorry for that
$50 am II
"May one, without indiscrotion, inquire
why?"
"Certainly. Because, if 1 were for
cignor, should be spared the pain of see
ing compatriot bohave himself very rude
ly."
Meaning me?''
Meaning, precisely yeu.'
Do you know who l amp asked the
the count, half turning his back upon him,
and facing the lookers-on, as much as to