The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-11-13
SERVED OUT.

In the year 1S- there lived at Bor.
deauX the last, or one of the last
of a long line of scoundrels who
made that part of France infamous
Ito our ideas) by succession of cold.
blooded murders, committed under
the sanction of what the people were
pleased to call the Code of Honor
There was certain Comte de V,
a man of great physical strength
imperturble sang froid, and relent
less cruelty. Not bad sort of a
! companion, as some said, when the
dueling fit was not on him; but this
came on once in about six months.
and then he must have blood, it mat
tered little whose. He had killed
and manned boys of sixteen, fathers
of families, military officers, journal
lists, advocates, peaceful country
gentlemen. The cause of the quar-
rel was of no Importance; if one did
not present itself readily, he made
one, always contriving that, accord
ing 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 realize society in
which such wild man could be per
mitted to go at large; but we kno "
it to be historically true that just
such a creature was endured in
France, just as we are assured that
there was at one time wolves in
Yorkshire, only the less noisome
vsrmin had harder time of it as
civilization progressed, than was
dealt cut to the human brute.
The last exploit of the Comte dc
V, previous to the story / am
about to tell, was 10 goad poor
young student into challenge; and
when it was represented to him that
the boy had never held sword in
his lite, so that it would be fairer to
use pistols, he replied that "fools
sometimes made mistakes with pis
tols," and, the next morning, ran
him through the lungs. The fit was
on him; but the blood thus shed
quieted him for another half year, and
rather more,, for public opinion was
unfavorable, and the air of Bordeaux
became too warm for him.
But the scandal blew over after g
time, and he came back to his ole
haunts, one of which was cafe by
the river side, where many used tC
spend their Sundays. Into the little
village garden of this establishment
our wolf staggered one fine summer
afternoon, with the heavy, dark and
nervous twitching of the hands which
those acquainted with him knew wei
meant mischief. The evil fit was or
him, consequently he found himsel
the center of circle which expand
ed as he went on. This did not dis
please him. He liked to be feared
He knew he could make quarre
when he chose, so he looked around
for victim.
At table almost in the middle o
the garden sat man about thirty
years of age, of middle height, ant
an expression of countenance whicl
at first struck one as mild and good
natured. He was engaged reading
a journal which seemed to interes
him, and eating strawberries, an oc
cupa,ion which does not Ca / fortl
any latent strength of character
Above all he was profoundly uncon
scious OF the presence of nj. i
Comte de V, and continued
eating bis strawberries and reading
his paper as if no wolf were in tha
| pleasant fold.
As the Count approached this ia
bic it became sufficiently well know
who he was about to honor with hi
insolence; and the circle narrowed
again to see this play. 1t was no
bad sport with some of us to see &
fellow-creature baited-especially i
we were out of danger ourselves.
The strawberry eaters costume
was not sue h as ordinarily worn il
France at that time, and he had {
curious hat, which-the weather be
ing warm-he had placed on tht
table by his side.
sHe is foreigner whispered some
in the circle; perhaps he does no
know Monsieur lie Comte.'
Monsieur lie Comte seated himsel
at the table opposite the unconscioui
stranger, and called loudly, 'Garcon |!
'Garcon,' he said, when that func
tionary appeared, take away from
me that nasty thing % pointing tt
the hat aforesaid.
Now, the strangers elbow, as h'
read his journal, was on the brim o
the nasty thing which was a very
poor hat, but of British form anc
make. The garcon was embarrassed
DO you hear me- thundered ths
Count. take that thing away! NJ
one has right to place his hat or
the table,
Il beg your pardon, said the straw
berry eater, politely, placing the of
Tending article on his head, and
drawing his chair little aside; 8
will make room for Monsieur
The garcon was about to retire wei
satisfied, but the bully called after
him:
'Have / not commanded you to take
that thing which annoys me away p
But Monsieur lie Comte, the gen
tleman has covered himself
'What does that matter to me?'
But, Monsieur lie Comte, it is i'm
possible
sWhat is impossible p
'By no MEANS observed the stran
ger, uncovering again 'be so good
as to carry my hat to the lady al the
counter, and ask her, on my behalf
to do me the favor to accept charge
of it for the present.
you speak French passable wei
for foreigner, said the bully
stretching his arms over the table
and looking his neighbor full in the
face-a litter of contempt running
around the table.
& am not foreigner, monsieur
Il am sorry for that
SO am l.
May one, without indiscretion, ask
why 2
Certainly. Because if / were q
foreigner sE ould be spared the pain
of seeing compatriot behave him.
self so rudely.'
Meaning me p