The Van Buren press., 1869-11-30
MISCELLANY.
Served Out,

wa WV WV
In the year 1S3- there lived al Dor.
deaux the last-or Que of the last--of q
long line of sceundrels who had made
that part Of France Infamous TO our
ideas) by 4 succession Of cold-blooded
murders, committed under the sanction
of what people were pleased to call the
Code Of Honor. This was 4 certain
Comte de v, man Of great physi
cal strength, imperturbable sang Jro'd.
and relentless cruelty. Not a bad sort
Of companion, as some said, when the
fit-the dneling fit--was not on him but
this came on once in about every six
months, and then he must have blood, it
mattered little whose. He had killed and
MANNED boys of sixteen, fathers of fami-
lies, military officers, Journalists, advo-
Gates, peaceful country gentlemen. The
cause of quarrel was of no Importance ;
il one did not present itself readily, he
made one; always contriving. 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
ia to rnaliza a state IF ennisty ip uhich
such a wild beast could be permitted to
go at large; but we knew tito be histori-
cally true that such creatures were endur-
ed in France just as we are assured that
there were at one time wolves in York,
shire; only the less noisoms vermin had
a harder tina OF it as civilization pro.
gressed than was dealt out to the human
brute. tI' '"i Hlfo 'i W
The latest exploit of the Comte de "
previous to the story / am about to tell
was to goad poor young student into q
challenge; and when it was represented
to him that the boy had never held n
sword in his life, SO that it would be fair
or to use pistols, he replied, that, fools
sometimes made mistakes with pistols" F."
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 opinion was unfavorablc, and the
air Of Bordeaux became too warm for
him. ;r... ......,... .....r ........, .,-.t..-,
But the scandal blew over after q time,
and he came back to his old haunts, ono
of which was a cafe by the river side
where many used to spend their Sunday.
Into the little garden of this establish
meat our wolf staggered one fine sum
mer 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 evil fit
was on him; consequently he found him.
self the center Of q circle which expand
cd as he went on. This did not displeass
him. He liked to be feared. He knew
he could make quarrel when he chose,
so he looked around for 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 en-
gagged reading a journal 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 NJ. 10 Comtc dc 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, il
became sufficiently well known whom he
was about to homer with his insolence
and thc circle narrowed again to see the
play. 1t is not bad sport, with some OF
us, to see fellow creature Eaited--cspe
cially when we are out OF danger our
selves. Uy G
The strawberry caters costume wa'
not such as was ordinarily worn in France
at that time, and he had curious hat
which--the weather being warm--he iiad
placed on the table by his side. "lle il
foreigner" whispered some in the dress
circle. :" Perhaps he does not know Mon
sieur le Comte.' '
Monsieur 10 Comte seated himself Il
tho table opposite the unconscisu
stranger, and called loudly, "Garcon {!
"Garcon,' he said, when that fupction
ary appeared, take me away that mast.
thing!' pointing to the hat aforesaid.
Now the strangers elbow, as he rea'
his journal, was on the brm of tho mas
ty thing" which Was a very good hat
but OF British form and make. The gar
con was embarrassed. i.l, Us.
ado you hear mcf" thundercd tn
Count take me that thing away! N
one has right to place his hat on til
table" ilnll
.Ibcg your PARDON" said the straw
berry eater, politely. placing the offend
ing article on his head, and drawing b1