The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-12-07
S E r Y E D 0 U I .

"Code of Honor" This was a certain
Comte de V, man of great physi
cal strength, imperturable sdnWrOid, and
relentless cruelty. Not bad sort OF
companion, as some said, when the fit
the dueling ft-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 families, mil
itary officers, journalists, advocates,
peaceful country gentlemen. The cause
of quarre, was of no Importance; il
one did not present itself readily, he
made one always contriving that,accor-
ding 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 re-
alize state of society in which such &
wild beast could be permitted to go al
large; but we Know it to be historically
true that such creatures were endured i'll
France; just as we are assured that there
were at one time wolves i'll Yorkshire
only the less noisomc vermin had 4 har
der time of it as civilization progressed
than was dealt out to the human brute.
The latest exploit of the Comtc de
V, previous to the story 1 am about
to tel, was to goad poor young student
into a challenge; and when it was repre-,
sentcd to him that the boy had never
held sword in his life, so that it would
be fairer to use pistols, he replied that
'fouls 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 opinion was unfavorablc
and the air Of Bordeaux became too
warm for him.
But the scandal blew over after time,
and he came back to his old haunts, one
Of which was 4 cafe by the river side,
where many used to spend their Sunday
Into the little garden of this establish.
ment 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 well meant' mischief. The
evil fit was on him; consequently he
found himself the center of circle
which expanded as he went on. This
did not displease him. He liked to be
feared. lie knew he could make q quar-
rel when he chose, so he looked around
for victim.
At table almost in the middle Of the
garden sat man of about fifty years OF
age, of middle height, and an expression
of ,countenancc which at first struck one
as mild and good humored. He was
engaged reading 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. lie Comte de V,
and continued eating his strawberries
and reading his paper rs though no wolf
were in that pleasant fold.
AS the Compile approached the table,
it become sufficiently well known whom
he was aboutto honor with his insolence,
and the circle narrowed again 10 see the
play. 1t is not bad sport, with some OF
us,.to see q fellow creature baited-espe
clally when we are out of danger our
selves.
The strawberry eaters costume. was
not such as was ordinarily worn in
France at that time, and he had a curious
hat, which-thc weather being warm-he
had placed on the table by his side. "He
is foreigner" whispered some in the
dress circle. perhaps he does not know
Monsieur lie Compile"
Monsieur lie Compte seated himself at
the table opposite the unconscious stran-
ger, and called loudly, "Garcon."
"Garcon," he said, when that func-
tionary appeared, "tqke away that nasty
thing p pointing to the hat aforesaid.
Now the strangers elbow, as he read
his journal, was on the brim of the nasty
thing which was very good hat, but
of British form and make. The garcon
was embarrassed.
'sDo you hear me?' thundered the
Count. "Take that thing away! No
one has right to place his hat on the
table.
II beg your pardon" said the straw
berry cater, politely, placing the offend
ing article on his head, and drawing his
chair little aside; Il will make room
for Monsieur"
The garcon was about to retire, well
satisfied, when the bully called after
him
"Have | not commanded you to take
that thing, which annoys me, away?"
''But Monsieur lie Compile, the gentle
man has covered himself"
"What does that matter to me?'
"Rut, Monsieur lie Compte, it is i'm
possible"
What is impossible =
That | should take the gentleman S
hat
"Bv no MEANS" observed the stranger
uncovering 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"
'You speak French passably well fol
a foreigner" said the bully, stretching
his arms over the table, and looking his
neighbor full i'll the facc-a litter of con-
tempt going round the circle.
81 am not a foreigner. Monsieur.
Il am sorry fer that"
''Sc am |.
"May one, without indiscretion, in.
quirc why?"
"Certainly. Because, if | were a for
eigncr, ! should be spared the pain o
seeing a compatriot behave himself very
rudely."
"Meaning me?'
Meaning precisely YOU
"Do You know who am ?" asked thu
Count, half lfturning his back upon him
and facing the lockers on, as much as t(
say, "Now observe how | will punish TIL:
poor creature"
"Monsieur,' replied the strawberry
eater, with perfect politeness in his tone
II have the honor not TO know you"
Death of my life! am the Compt'