The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-11-08


the lockers on, as much as to say NOW OF
serve how shall crush this miserable era
ture" =,
Monsieur" said the strawberry-eater,w viii
perfect politcnesS IN his tone II have not TIT
honor to know YOU :,
death of my life! am, sir, the Cont III
v"
The strawberry eater looked up, and TN
easy, good-natured face was gone. IN INT
place was one with two gray eyes that ilashe'
like fire. and mouth that set itself very
firmly.
THE Cont dc "" he repeated in
low voice.
"Yes, monsieur, and what have you TO say
against him|'
~? Oh, nothing
THAT may be well for you,
"But there are those who say that he Is a
coward
"That is enough, ;" said the bully, starting to
his feet. Monsieur will find me in two hours
at this address," flinging him card.
81 shall not trouble myself to seek Non
sieur lie Comtc," replied the strawberry eater
lcalmly tearing the card in two.
"Then shall say of Monsieur what he, per.
Uniting himself to lie, said just now oil me-
"And that is?'
THAT he is a coward"
=
lie Comte. Those who know me would not
believe YOU, and those who do not-my faith
What care what they think:'
"And thou-thOu art II FrcnchmanE
! Nooue but n Frcnchman could have thrown
so much disdain as he did into the word
I"thou"
The strawberry cater made no reply, but
turned his head and called "Garcon' The
poor trembling creature came up again, won.
derng what new dilemma was prepared for
him, and stood trembling some ten rods off.
"GarcCn, is there a vacant room now in the
! house,
Without Il doubt, Monsieur
"A large oncN
Certainly. They are all large oncs-our
apartments
Then engage the largest for me and anoth.
cr-no matter what--for Monsieur lie Comte."
Monsieur, give my orders when think
them necessary" said the Count, loftily.
II thought to spare you the trouble. Go,
if you please, TO the waiter and prepare my
room"
Then the strawberry eater returned again
to his strawberries. The bully gnawcd his
lip. He could not make head nor tail of this
lphlcgmatic opponent The circle grew 1T
tie wider for hOrrid idea had got abroad
that the Connt had not found one that was
Likely to suit him, and that he would have to
seek elsewhere for what he wanted.
The murmur that went around aroused the
bully.
Monsieur" he Missed, has presumed
to make use Of a word which, among men Of
honor"
II beg your pardon"
which among men of honor
But what can Monsieur le Comte possibly
know what is felt among men of honor, ask
ed the other. with Il shrug of incrcdulity.
"Will you fight with ne yourself, or will
you not>' roared the Count, goadcd TO dcspe.
rate fury
"If Monsieur le Comic will give himself
the trouble to accompany me to the apart
ments which, no doubt are now ready for
me" said the stranger, rising, II will satisfy
him"
Good" said the other, rising, II am with
you; | waive the prcliminares. | only beg
TO observe that | am without arms but if
you"
20, don't trouble yourself" said the stran-
ger, with grim smile. III you arc not
afraid, follow me"
This he said in voice sufficiently loud
for the nearest to hear, and the circle parted
right and LETT, like frightened sheep, as the
two walked away.
Was there no one to call the police, no one
10 try and prevent what TO all seemed imm
nent. Not a soul The dreaded duelist had
his evil fit on, and every one breathed frecr
now that his victim was selected. Moreover,
no one supposed it would cnd there.
The Count and his friend % were ushered
into the apartment prepared for the latter,
who, as soon as the groom 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, the Count standing with
folded arms glaring at him The decks be.
ing cleared for action, the stranger locked
the door, placed the key on the mantei behind
him. and said:
81 think yea might have helped little
VIII you give Inc your strict attention for
i've minutes"
perfectly"
THANK you. 1 am, as told you, French. |
man, but was educated in England, at one
If her famous public schools. Had been
tent to one OF our own lycccs, | should, per |
laps, have gained more book knowledge !
cut, as il is, | have learned some things which |
We do not teach, and one of them is not to
AXE "a mean advantage Of any man, but TO
keep my own head within my own hands. |
Do you understand my meaning, Monsieur
lie Comtc?
u cannot Halter myself that | de-
"la, Then | must be one who takes adj
vantage OF mere brute strength against the
weak, and who, practiccd in any art, compels
one Impractical in it TO contend with him, is
II coward and II knaTe. Do you follow me
now, Monsieur lie Comte:"
I'll came, Monsieur"
"Ncyer mind for what you came; be con
tent with what you will get For example,
to follow what | was obscrying-ir man.
skilled with small sword, for the mere vic
ous love Of quarrcling, goads to madness
boy who has never fenced in his life, and |
kills him, that man is a murderer and knav-
sh one"
81 think catch your meaning; but II YOU
have pistols here" foamcd the bully
II do not come to eat Strawberries with /
pistols in my pockets replied the other, in
the same calm tone he had used throughout. !
ALLOW me TO continue At the school of
which have spoken, and in the society of
men who have grown out of il, and others