Middletown transcript., 1873-03-29
mo remarks. Gentlemen hasten. :"


II listen. sir!"
"Monsieur d'Argcntrc just now stated
that tho brnvest have their moments Of
fear. Wi,host taking as serious his anec-
dote Of Monsieur de Turennc. I shall add
that. With the exception Of thc difference
that exists between muscles and nerves.
the courage Of the duellist 10 more an a.
fair Of habit than Of principle; for il 10
the natural state OF man TO love peace. II
not for the sake Of others. at least for him
self Do you wish me to prove it?"
Enough. sir; We are no. here to lis
ten to q sermon"
"Yet a moment. Here il my PROPOSE
ton: We are all assembled this evening
previous to our leave Of absence | invite
you, then. as also these gentlemen pres
ent. to bear-huut on my estate. or ratb-
er amongst the prccipices Of Clat. in the
Eastern Pyrenccs. You ara very expert.
Monsieur de Mnla,our--you can snuff
candle with pistol at twenty PAGES. and
you have no equal at the smalI.wood
Well. ] shall place you before bear. and
II you succeed do not even say 10 odg-
ing a ball in his head. but merely in firing
upon him-l shall submit, Immediately Of.
ter to meet you face to face with any
weapons you choose 10 name. since it is
only at that price am to gain your good
opinion"
Are you playing a comedy. .ir?"
Quite tho contrary Aud | even ro-
peat that this extreme haste shows more
the courage of the nerves. than Of the
true courage arising from principle"
what guarantee have |. should ac-
cept your proposition that you will not
again endeavor to evadc mc?''
"My word. sir which take all my
comrades to witness, and place under the
safeguard Of their honor"
There ran through his auditory such
buzz Of appreciation that De Malatour.
though with bad grace. was obliged to
acceed to the arrangement II was then
agreed that. on the ist Of September. all
present should assemble at the Chateau
du Cla,.
While the young lord Of the manor is
making the necessary preparations for
their reception. we shall explain the ac.
cusaton Of which he was the object, yet
which had not branded him with any
mark Of disgrace among class OF men so
punc,uilions on the point Of honor.
The young Baron dc Villi,reton. in en-
,eriug nmougs, the gentlemen who form.
ed the household guard Of the king Of
France, carried with him principles which
remained uncorrup,ed amidst all the friv-
oli,cs OF one Of the most liccniious courts
in Europe. Such. however. is the charm
Of virtue, even in the midst of vice, tha,
his exemplsry conduct had not only gain
ell him the es.sem Of his officers. aud the
friendship { his companions, bu. had at
lractcd the attention Of the king himself
One alone among bis comrades. Monsieur
de Mala,eur, took umbrage at this gcner-
al favor, aud, on the occasion Of some
triiling expression or gesture publicly in-
suited him. Nillitretun refused to cbal.
lcngc him. as being contrary to his prn.
cples, but determined that thi. seeming
cowardce in not lighting n well-known
duclis,. should be redeemed by some ne.
ton Of ecia during the campaign JUS,
commenced That moment had arrived !;
and for his noble conduct in taking the
English enlors at the battle Of foutcnoy.
be received the cross Of st Louis from
the kings own hand on the fsd, the
eulogiu,n Of Marshal SAKE, and redoubled
enmity ON the par, of De Malatour
The frst care Of the young baron on
arriving at his estate was to call his ma
jor-domo. an old aud faithful servant
II have business Of thee. my master. =
said he cordially shaking him by the
hand.
Speak. monseigneur," replied the
pareur. who was deeply attached to bis
young lord; you know the old hunter
is yours to the last drop Of his blood"
II never doubted it. my old friend
Did you receive my letter from Paris?'
Yes. sir aud those gentlemen, your
comrades, will have some work before
them
Are there bears already on the height,
them asked Nillitrctou, extending hi.
hand in the direction Of one of the loft,
peaks, whose summit, covered with snow
glttcred in the morning sun.
Five in ala complete mendge-
father. mother aud children; besides al
old bachelor. whom the Spaniaads had
driven to this side
"In less than q week We shall 20 ia
pursuit Of them. Do you know. pareur
some Of my comrades are rather rough
sportsmeu there is one Of them who i
able to snuff a candle with pistol Il
twenty PAGES"
Easier. perhaps. than to snuff bea
at four" replied the old man laughing.
THAT is what said also. But as
should wish to Judge for myself Of hi
prowsss, you must place US together q
the same post-at the bridge Of Maure
for instance"
Hum" said tha parcur. scratching
his ear; lit would better please mo t
have you elsewhere"
Why"
Because to guard this post, q ms
ought to be in state OF grace, for he Vii
ha hetvesu tvo da.ths-the hcava an