The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-12-04
two hours at this address," hinging him a

]
permitting himself to lie, said just now of
me-"
"And that So"
"That he is 4 coward"
You may say what you please, Monsieur
lie Comte. Those who know mo would not
believe you, and those who do not-my
faith what care what they think? ''
"And thou-thou art Frenchman ~
No one but Frenchmen could have
thrown SO much disdain as he did into the
"hou''
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 some ten yards
off.
Garcon," said the stranger, "is there
room vacant in the hotel?"
"Without doubt, monsieur
GA large one ?''
"But certainly. They are all largo
own apartments"
"Then engage the largest for me to-day,
and another-no matter what-for Mon
sicur le Cornte.''
Monsieur, give my own orders when
necessary" said the count, loftily.
81 thought to spare you the trouble
Go, if you please" (this to tho waiter
and prepare my rooms"
Then tho 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 a
little wider, for horrid idea got abroad
that the count had not found one who 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 Kissed, "has presumed
to make use of word which among men
of HONOR
81 beg your pardon?''
(Which among men of honor
"But what can Monsieur lie Comte pos
sibly know what is felt among men of hon
r?' asked the other, with shrug of in
credulity.
CIVIL you fight yourself with me, or will
you not % roared the count, goaded to fury.
eff Monsieur lie Comte will give himself
the trouble to accompany me to the apart
ment which, no doubt, is now prepared for
me-" replied the stranger, rising, 81 will
satisfy him."
"Good, said the other, kicking down his
chair; 81 am with you. Iwaive the usual
preliminaries. I only beg to observe that
am without arms; but if you
cob! don't trouble yourself on that
score, said the stranger, with grim smile.
"1f you are not afraid, follow me.'
This he said in voice sufficiently loud
for tho nearest to hear, and the circle parted
right and left like startled sheep, as the
two walked toward tho house.
Was there no one to call "police no
one to try and prevent what to all seemed
imminent? Not a soul! The duellist had
his evil fit on, and every one breathed freely
now that he knew the victim was selected.
Moreover, no one supposed it would end
there.
The count and his friend (9) were ushered
into the apartment prepared for the latter,
who, as soon as the garcon had left, took
off his coat and waistcoat, and proceeded
to move the furniture so as to leave the
room free for what was to follow-tho count
standing with folded arms, glaring at him
the while. The decks being cleared for ac-
ton, the stranger locked the door, placed
the key on the mantlepiece behind him,
and said:
81 think you might have helped little;
but never mind. Will you give mo your
attention for five minutes?"
Perfectly"
"Thank you. l am, as have told you,
a Frenchman, but was educated in Eng
land, at one of her famous public schools.
Had I been sent to ono of our own Lycees,
1 should, perhaps have gained more book
knowledge; but as it is, have learned
some things which we do not teach, and
one of them is, not to take mean advan-
tase of any man, but to keep my own head
with my own hands. Do you understood
me, Monsieur lie Comte?'
81 cannot tlatter myself that do.''
cha! Then l must be more explicit. l
learned then that one who takes advantage
of mere brute strength against the weak,
or who, l'racticed in any art, compels one
Impractical in it to contend with him, is
coward and a knave. Do you follow me
now, Monsieur lie Comte?"
81 came here, monsieur-''
"Nevcr mind for what you came; be
content with what you will get. For ex-
ample-to follow what was observng-if
a man skilled with the small sword, for the
mere vicious love of quarrelling, goads to
madness boy who has never fenced in his
life, and kills him, that man is murderer;
and more-a cowardly murderer, and
knavish.''
~ think I catch your meaning; but if
you nave pistols here" foamed the
bully.
81 do not come to cat Strawberries with
pistols in my pocket" replied the other, in
the same calm tone he had used through
out. "Allow me to continue. At that
school of which have spoken, and in the
society of men who have grown out of it,
and others where the same habit of thought
prevails, it would be considered that man
who had been guilty of such cowardice and
knavery as l have mentioned would be
justly punished if, some day, he should be
paid in his own coin by meeting some one
who would take him at the same disadvan-
tage as no placed that poor boy at"
"Our seconds shall fix your own weap-
ons, monsieur" said the count; "let this
farce end"
"Presently. Those gentlemen whose
opinions now venture to express, not hay
ing that craze for blood which distinguish
es some-who have not had a similar ell
lightened education-would probably think
that such a coward and knavc as we have
been considering would best meet his de-
serts by receiving humiliating castigation