The Van Buren press., 1869-11-30

"Have not commanded you to TAX
that thing which annoys me- awsy|
"But, Monsieur 10 Comte, the gentle
man has covered himself"
"What does that matter to me p
"But, Monsieur ls Comte, it is impos
sible."
"What Is impossibls9' W
THAT should take the gentleman
that" n' .''s4 "
"By no MEANS" observed the stranger
uncovering again 'sBe SO good as ia
carry my hat to the lady at the counter
and ask her, on my behalf, to do mo The
favor to accept charge Of it for the pres
ent' 7e & ' Ht .'f'..
"Yeu speak French passably well foi
tx foreigner,n said the bully, stretching
his arms over the table, and looking his
neighbsr full in the face-a litter OF con
tempt going round the circle ia '' :
~ am not foreigner, Monsieur" "
al am sorry for that"
$50 am I"'a91 ion % ,'a'.'.' ie"' H
"May one, without indiscretion, in.
quire why ?" e io' ..n1tsi e -
q" Certainly. Because, if I were a for
eigner, l should be spared the pain OF
seeing coinpatriot behave himself very
rudely." I" A 9h'1orn i''a insl. ti t1f
Meaning me ~ ~ dtiTiaf '7yno
Meaning, precisely, you" 81 % ''eH
q" Do you know who l am 2" asked the
Count, half turning his back upon him,
and facing the lockers on, as much AZ to
say, "Now observe how will crush this
peor creature" rluaH ~ sam 1t
Monsieur replied the strawberry.
eater, with perfect politeless in his tone,
II have not the honor to know you"
ID" Death of my life l am the Comte de
w. lil. g9nf.I ..s) rtii -ti
The strawberry eater looked up, and
the easy, geod.natured face was gone.
In its place was one with two gray eyes
which flashed like fire, and mouth that
set itself very firmly. i
"The Comte de w." he repeated
in low voice r.r ta,5 tssl.
!" Yes, Monsieur. And what have you
to say against him ?" lugmp bli
"I3 Oh nothing ru.H alB1l
THAT may be well for you"
But there are those who say ho 10 a
coward" naa a.r.eu, ,eair hI..~
THAT is enough," J" said the bully start
ing to his feet. Monsieur will find me
in two hours ct this address," hinging
him card. t.n .-ip .ag
81 shall not trouble myself to seek
Monsieur 10 Comto," replied tho straw
berry eater, calmly tearing the card in
two. ,, ~. ....... r. ID. .s. y,i ,7,..f
Then shall say Of Monsieur what
he nssrmittino himself to lie. said inst
"And that is?" ,.., .s.t
"That he is coward. s.,o..
"You may say what ysu please, Mon
sieur le Comte. Those who know me
would not believe you, and those who do
not-my faith what care what they
think?"
"And thsu--th0u art Frenchmam"
No one but Frenchman could have
thrown so much disdain as dc did into
the "Mou."
The strawberry eater made no reply,
but turned his head and called " Garcon! |!
The poor trembling creature came up
again, wondering what new dilemma was
prepared for him, and stood quaking
ssme ten yards of.
"Gsrcon," said the stranger, +" Is there
q room vacant in the hotel r -.
Without doubt, Monsieur" y, Z,
"a large one? ...'..
/" But certainly. They are all large
own apartments" ....,.s.
"Thsn engage the largest for me for
to-day, and ansthsr-no matter what.
for Monsieur le Comte."
Monsieur, | give my own orders
when necessary" said the Count, loftily,
~ thought to spare you the trouble,
Go, if you please" (this'to the waitcr),
and prepare my rooms" .. -,
Then the strawberry cater 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 horrid idea got
abroad that the Count had not found one
that 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 hissed, "has presumed
to make use ola word which among men
o. honor .,..l.l
Il beg your pardon 2"
(which among men of honor"
"But what can Monsieur 10 Comte pos
sibly know what is felt among men OF
honor ?" asked the other with shrug Of
incredulity.
"Will you fight yourself with me, or
will you notY rosrod the Count, goaded
to fury. ~.
"If Monsieur lie Comtc will give him
self the trouble to accompany the to the
apartment which. no doubt. is prepared
for me- replied the stranger rising, II
will satisfy him." .t ,.
"Good," said the other, kicking down
his chair; - ]. am with you. / waive the
usual prcliminaries. l only beg to OBJ.
serve that ] am without arms; but If
YOU" b..
40, don't trouble yourself on that
score" said the stranger, with a grim
smile. "lf 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,
and the two walked toward the house
Was there no one to call "policr,' no
one to try and prevent what to all seemed
imminent? Not soul The dreaded
duol;st had his evil fit on. and every one