Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-10-23


not the honor to know YOU"
death of my life! I am the Comte de
""
The strawberry eater looked up, and the
easy, good-natured face was gone. In the
place was one with two gray eyes that
! flashed like fire, and mouth that set il.
self very firmly
"The Comte de " he repeated in
a low voice
Eyes, monsieur, and what have you; 0
say against hims"
Il! 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, start
ing to his feet. "Monsieur will find me in
two hours t this address," flinging him
card
II shall not trouble myself to seek
Monsieur lie Comte," replied the straw
berry eater, calmly tearing the card in
two.
Then 1 shall say of Monsieur what he.
permitting himself to lie, said just now of
me-"
"And that is ~
'That he is coward
"You may say what you please, Mon
sieur 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 a Frenchman 81
No one but Frenchman could have
thrown SO much disdain as he did into the
word chou"
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 trembling
some ten rods off.
"Garcon, is there vacant room in the
hotel?"
without doubt, MONSIEUR
"a large One?"
certainly. They are all large-our
apartments"
Then engage the largest for me, and
anOther-no matter What-fOr Monsieur
lie Comte"
Monsieur, give my orders when I
think them necessary" said the Count,
loftily.
II thought to spare you the trouble.
Go if you please Ito the waiter) and pre-
pare my room"
Then the strawberry-ea returned to
his strawberries. The bully gnawed his
lip. He could not make head nor tale of
this phlegmatic opponent The circle
grew little wider, for a horrid idea had
got abroad that the Count had not found
one that was likely to suit him, and that
he would have to seek elsewhere what he
wanted.
The murinur that went around reused
the bully.
Monsieur" ne Kissed, "has presumed
to make use Of a word which, among men
of honor"
Il beg your pardon"
(which among men of honor"
'But what can Monsieur lie Comte pos
honor?" asked the other, with shrug of
incredulity.
will you fight with me yourself, or
will you not?" roared the Count, goaded
| to fury.
"If Monsieur lie Ccmte will give him
! self the trouble to accompany me to the
apartments 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; l waive the preliminaHes. |
only beg to observe that | am without
arms, but if YOU"
90, don't trouble yourself" said the
stran ger, with grim smile 'If you are
not afraid, follow me-"
This he said in a voice sufficiently loud
| for the nearest to hear, and the circle part
ed right and left, like frightened sheep, as
the two walked away.
Was there no one to call the police, no
one to try and prevent what to all seemed
| imminent? Not a soul. The dreaded
duelist had his evil fit on, and every one
breathed freer now that the victim was Sc
| lected Moreover, no one supposed 1t
would end there.
The Count and his friend p were ush-
cred into the apartment prepared for the
latter, who, as soon as the garcon had left,
! took off his coat and waistcOat, and pro-
ceeded TO move the furniture SO as to leave
| the room free for what was to follow. the
Count standing with folded arms, glazing
at him. The decks being cleared for &C
ton, the stranger locked the door, placed
| the kew on the mantel behind him, and
| said:
II think you might have helped little.
VIII you give me your attention for tive
minutes ?"
"Perfectly."
THANK YOU. I am, as l told you, a
Frenchman, but l was educated in En-
gland, at one of her famous public schools.
| Had | been sent to one of our own lycees,
l should, perhaps, have gained more
book knowledge; but, as it is, have learn
ed some things which we do not teach,
and one Of them is not to take mean ad-
vantage of any man, but to keep my own
head within nv own hands. Do you I'M
derstand me, Monsieur lie Comte?'
Il cannot f1atter myself that | do"
"Ha! Then | must be one who takes
advantage of mere brute strength against
the weak, and who practiced in any art,
compels one Impractical in it to contend
with him is a coward and knave. DO
you follow me now, Monsieur lie Comte?"
Il came, monsieur"
"Never mind for what you came; be
content with what you will get. For ex-
ample-to follow what l was observing
if man skilled with a small sword, tor
the mere vicious love of quarreling, goads
to madness a boy who has never fenced
in his life, and kills him, that man Is
murderer and knavish one"
Il think | catch your meaning; put II
you have pistols here" foamed the
bully.
Il do not come to eat strawberries with
pistols in my pocket" replied the other,
in the same calm tone he had useo
throughout ALLOW me to continue Al
the school of which | have spoken, ana IN
the society of men who have grown out Vi