The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-12-16
THD DuELLlsT.

THD DuELLIST.
/ In the wear l85-there lived at Bordeaux
the last-of one of the last-of long line of
scoundrels who had made that part of France
infamous Ito our ideas) by q succession OF
cold -blooded murders committed under the
sanction of what people were pleased to call
the code of honor. This was certain Comte
de v, a man of great physical strength,
imperturabble sang froid, and relentless cruel
when the fit-the dueing ft--was not on
him but this came on once in about six months
and then he must have blood, it mat, CTS little
whose He had killed or manned boys of
sixteen, fathers of families, military officers,
journalists, advocates, peaceful country gen.
tlemen. The cause ofno importance; if one
did not present itself readily, he made one
always contrivng that, according to the code
aforesaid, he should be the insulted party,
thus having the choice of weapons and he
was deathly with the small sword. 1t is diff
cult for us to realize a state OF society in which
such a wild beast could be permitted to 90 at
large; but we know it to be historically true
that such creatures We're endured in France
lust rs we are assured that there We're at one
time wolves in Yorkshire; only the less moi
some Vermin had harder time of it as civilza-
ton progressed than was dealt out to the hu-
man brute.
The latest exploit'of the Compte de v
previous to the story | am about to tell, was
TO goad a pooryoung student into a challenge;
and when it was represented to him that the
boy never held q sword in his life; so that it
would be tairer to use pistols, replied that
''Fools sometimes make mistakes with pis-
tolls, - and the next morning ran him through
the lungs. The evil fit was on him but the
blood thus shed quiered him for another half
year, and rather more, for public opinion
was unl;Vorable, and the air of Bordeaux be
came too warm for him.
But the scandal blew over after a time, and
he came back to his old haunts, one of which
was 4 cafe by the river sdc where many
used to spend their Sunday. Into the little
! garden OF this establishment our wolf swaG-
gered one tine summer afternoon with the
heavy dark look and nervous twitching of
the hands which those who were acquainted
with him knew well meant mischief The
evil fit was on him; consequently he found
himself the centre ola circle which expanded
as he went on. This did not dispease him
He liked to be feared. He knew he could
make q quarrel when he chose, so he looked
around for a victim.
AT q table almost in the middle of the rar-
den, sat a man of about thirtv-five wears of
age, of middle height, and an expression OF
countenance which at first struck one as mild
and good-humored. He was engaged read
i ing journal, which seemed to interest him,
+ and eating strawberries, an occupation which
does not call forth any latent strength of char
actcr. Above all he was profoundly uncon-
scious otthc presence Of NJ. lie Comtc de v,
and continued eating his strawberries and
reading his paper rs though no wolf were in
that pleasant fold.
AS the count approached this table it be-
came sufficiently well known whom he was
about TO honor with his inSolencc; and the
circle narrowed again to see the play. 1t is
: not bad spolt with some of us, to see fel-
; low creature baited. especially when we are
out OF danger ourselves.
The strawberry eaters costume was such
as was ordinarily worn in France at that
time, and he had q crimson hat, which-the
weather being Warm-he had placed on the
table by his side, Gle is a foreigner whis.
\ pered some one in the dress circle. ''PerhaDs
he does not know Monsieur lie Comte.
Monsieur le Comte seated himself at the
table opposite the unconscious stranger, and
called loudly, "Garconn'
'"Garcon,H he said, when that iunctionary
made his appearance, ''take me that nasty
thing away pointing to the hat aforesaid
Now the strangers elbow, as he read his
Journal, was on the brim Of the nasty thingn
which was a very good hat, but of British
form and make. The Garcon was embar-
raSsed.
II "Do you hear ?' thundered the count.
Take me that thing away. No one has II
right to place his nat on the table,
Il beg your pardon" said the strawberry
eater politely, placing the offending article
on his head, and drawing his chair q little
aside; Il will make room for Monsieur
The Garcon was about to retire well salts
fed, when the bully called after him =
Have | not commanded you to take thai
thing which annoys me aWay?'
''But Monsieur lie Comte, the gentlemen
has covered himself"
s.What does that matter to mc?'
But Monsieur le Comte, it is impossiblc''
''What is impossible?n
/ THAT [ should take the gentleman's hat"
BY no MEANS" observed the stranger, I'M
covering 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.
lyon speak French passably well for a
foreigner" said the bully, stretching his arm
over the table, and looking his neighbor full
in the facc-a litter of contempt going round
the circle.
II am not a foreigner, monsieur
81 am sorry for that
$50 am IT,
MAY one, without indiscrction, inquire
why?"
''Certainly. Because, if were foreign
er, should be spared the pain of seeing
compatriot behave himself very rudely.N
Meaning me?"
! Meaning, precisely, you''"
"Do you know who | am ~ asked the
Count half turning ffis back upon him, and
facing the lookers-on, as much as to say,
''Now observe how | will crush this poor
creature
''Monseur,7 replied the strawberry eater,
with perfect politeness in his tone, Il have
the honor not to know YOU
death of my life, am the Comtc de
| W
The strawberry eater locked up, and the
easy. good-natured face was gone. In its
place was one with two gray eyes flashed like
| fire, and a mouth that set itself firmly.
The Comtc De "" he repeated. in Il
low voice
Eyes Monsieur. And what have you to say
against him ~
81? Oh, nothing
"That may be well for YOU
'sBut there are those who say he is cow
ard"
ssThat is enough said the bully, starting
to his feet s.MOnSpur will find mo in two