North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-12-01
eing compatriot behave himself very

seeing c0mpatrlot behave himself very
rudely."
Meaning me?'
meaning, precisely, you."
"Do you know who am ~ asked the
Count, half turning his back upon him.
and facing the lookers,on as much as to
say, Snow observe how I will crush this
poor creature"
"Monsieur,"' replied the strawberry
eater, with perfect politeness in his tone,
~ have the honor not to know you"
"Death of my life am the Comte de
w."
The strawberry eater looked up, and
the easy, gpod d'natured face was gone. In
its place WAS one with two gray eyes,
which flashed Ike Gre, and mouth that
set itself very firmly.
1.-THE Comte de w." he repeated in
a low voice.
"Yes, Monsieur. And what have you
to say against him ?''
"I? o nothing"
"That may be well for you"
"But there are those who say he is
coward"
"That is enough" said the bully, start
ing to his feet. "Monsieur will find me
in two hours at this address," ainging him
card.
81 shall not trouble myself to seek
Monsieur lie Comte, !" replied the strawber-
ry-eater calmly tearing the card in two.
"Tben shall say OF Monsieur what he,
permitting himself to lie, said just now of
me.''
"And that is?"
"That he is coward"
"You may say what you please, Mon
sieur le Comte. Those who know me
would not believe you, and those who do
not,-my faith what care I what they
| tbink?''
"And thou-thou art Frenchman
No one but Frenchman could have
thrown so much disdain as he did into the
"thou."
The s.rawberry-eater made no reply, but
turned his head and called 'Garcon."
The poor trembling boy came up
again, wondering what new dilemma was
prepared for him, and stood quaking some
ten yards off.
"Garcon," said the strrnger, sis there
room vacant in the hotel?'
"Without doubt, Monsieur"
"a large one?"
'Most certainly. They are all large
own apartments.'
"Then engage the largest for me for to.
day, and another-no matter what-for
| Monsieur le Comte.
"Monsicor, ] give my own orders when
necessary" sale the Count, lofty.
81 thought to spare you the trouble.
Go, it you please, (,his to the waiter), and
prepare my reoms.''
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
little wider, for ho rid idea got abroad
that the count had not found one who
was likely to suit him, and that he would
have to seek elsewhere for what he wan
ted.
The murmur that went round reused the
bully.
Monsieur" he hissed. "has presumed
to make use of a word which among men ,
Of honor
Il beg your pardon"
(which among men Of honor
"Eut what can Monsieur le Comte pos
sibly know what is felt among men of
honor?' asked the other, with shrug of
incredulitv.
"Will you fight yourself with me, or
will you not?'' roared the Count, goaded
to fury.
''lf Monsieur ls 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, ris-
ing, ~ will satisfy him."
'Good," said the other, kicking down
his chair; 81 am with you. Iwaive ths
usual prelimina les. Ionly beg you to OBJ
serve that am without arms, but if
you"
20, don'ttrouble yourself on that scote.'
said the stranger, with grim smile. "Jf
you are not afraid, follow me.'
This he said in voice su ficiently loud
for the nearest to hear, and the circle par.
ted right and left, like startled sheep, as
the two walked toward the house.
Was there no one to call "police," no
one 10 try and prevent what to all seemed
imminent? Not soul! The dreaded
duelist had his evil fit 90, and every one
b,eathed freely now that he knew the vic'
tim was selected. Moreover, no one sup>
posed that it would end there.
The Count and his friend (?) we-e ush-
cred into the apartment prepared for the
latter, who, as soon as the garcon had left,
took of his cont and waistcoat, and pro-
ceeded to move the furniture, so as to
leave the room free for what was to fol>
low. the Count standing with folded arms, !
glarng at him all the while. The decks
being cleared for action, the stranger lock.
ed the door, placed the key on the man
tlepiece behind him, and said
II think you might have helped little;
but never mind. "Will you give me your
attention for FIVE minutes?"
Perfectly"
''Thank you. l am, as I have told you,