Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-11-26
[From Hearth and Home.I
CRUSHING A DUELLIsT.

our ideas) by a succession of cold
blooded murders, committed under
the sanction of what people were pleas
ed to call the Code of HonoT. This
was s certain Comte de ", a man
of great physical strength. impertur-
bable s1nQfr0id, and relentless cruelty.
Not bad sort of companion, as some
said, when the it-the duelling it-Was
not on him but this came on once 10
about every six months, and then he
must have blood, it matteeed little
whose. He had killed and MANNED
| boys Of sixteen, fathers of families,
military officers. journalists, advocates
peaceful country gentle men The
cause of quarrel was of no importance,
if one did not present itself readily, he
made one; always contriying that, ac-
cording to the code aforesaid, 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 a state of society. in
which such a wild beast could be per
mitted to go at large but we know it
to be historically true that suchH were
creatures endured in France; just as we
are assured that there were ct 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 Camte de
V, previous to the story | am
about to tell was to goad a poor young
student into challenge; and when 1t
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 quieted him for another half
year, and rather more, for public opin-
ion was unfavorRble, and the air of
Bordeaux became too warm for him.
But the scandal blew over after a
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 swag-
gered one fine summer afternoon, with
the heavy dark look and nervous
tWitching of the hands which those
who were acquainted with him knew
we'll meant mischief The evIs-h ht was
on him; consequently 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
be could make a quarrel when he
chose, so he looked around for a vic
tim.
At table almost in the middle of
the garden sat man of about thirty
years, of age, of middle height, and
an expression of countenance which at
first struck one as mild and good hum
ored. Hewas engaged in readinga jour
nal which seemed to interest him, and
eating strawberries, an occupation
which does not call forth any latent
strength Of character. Above all he
was profoundly unconscious Of the
presence of M. le Comte de v, and
continued eating his strawberries and
reading his paper as though no wolf
were in that pleasant fold.
As the count approached this table,
It became sufficiently well 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 baited-especlally when we
are out of danger ourselves,
The strawberry eaters costume was
not such as was ordinarily worn in
France at that time, and he had curl
Gus hat. which-the weather being
warm-he had placed on the table by
his side. He is foreigner" whis-
pered some in the dress s-cirele. Per
haps be does not know Monsieur le
Oomte y
Monsieur lie Comte seated himself
at the table opposite the unconscious
stranger, and called loudly: "Garconl'
"Garcon, he said, when that func-
tionary appeared. take me away that
nasty thing" pointing to the hat afore-
said
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
The gareon was embarrassed.
DO you hear me?" thundered the
count. Take me that thing away
Nc one has right to place his hat on
the table"
II beg your pardon" said the straw
berry -eaier, politely, placing the Of
Tending article on his head and draw
ing his chair little aside; I will make
room for monsieur.
satisfied, when The bully called after
| him:
Have | not commanded you to
take that hing which annoys me
away?"
"But, Monsieur lie Comte, the gen
| tleman has covered himself"
What does that matter to me ?''
But, Monsieur le Comte, it is i'm.
possible" "
what is impossible ?"
THAT should take the gentleman s
hat"
''By no means" observed the stran-
ger, nncovering 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
il for the present.
| You speak French passably we'll
for foreigner" said the bully stretch
| ing his arms over the table aud look.
| ing his neighbor full IN the face-a tit
! ter of contempt going round the circle
II am not foreigner, monsieur"
II am sorry for that.
May one, without iadiscretion, in
quire why"
Certainly. Because, if / were a
foreigner, I should be spared the
pain of seeing a compatriot behave
himself very rudely
Meaning me p
Meaning, precisely, you"
DO you know who [ am ?" asked
the count half turning his back upon
him, and facing the lookers-un, as
much as to say: Now observe how
will crush this poor creature"
"Monsicur, replied the strawberry
eater, with perfect politeness in his
tone, L have the honor not to know
you"