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

CdTu III tWO.
Then l shall say of Monsieur
what he, permitting himself to lie,
said just now of me-
'And that is p
THAT he is a coward
you may say what you please,
Monsieur lie Comte, Those who
know me would not believe you, and
those who do not--my faith !! What
care I what they think?'
'And thou-thou art Frenchman.'
No one but a Freedman could
have thrown so much d sdain as he
did into the word thou
The strawberry, eater made no re-
ply, but turned and called, 'Garcon.'
The poor trembling creature came up
again, wondering what new dilemma
was prepared for him, and stood trem-
bling, some ten feet off.
'Garcon, is there a vacant room in
the hotel? p
Without a doubt, Monsieur
"A large one?'
"Certainly. They are all large
our apartments. Then engage the
largest for me, and another-no mat
ter what-for Monsieur lie Comte,"
"Monsieur, l give my own orders
when | think them necessary" said
the Count, loitily.
81 thought to spare you the troub-
lie. Go if you please It. the walter)
and prapare nv room"
Then the strawberry eater return
cd to his strawberries. The bully
gnawed bis lip. He could not make
head or tail of this phlegmatic oppo
uent. The circle grew little wider,
tor horrid idea had got abroad that
the Count had not found one that
was likely to suit him, aud that he
would have to seek elsewhere what
he wanted. The murmur that went
round reused the bully.
"Monsieur," he Kissed, "has pre-
sumed to make use of word which,
among men of honor"
81 beg your pardon"
(which among men of honor"
s'But when cap Monsieur lie Com.e
p 5ssibly know what is felt among
men of honor ?" asked the other,
with a shrug of incredulity.
"Will you fight with me yourself,
or will you not ?" roared the Count.
goaded to fury.
eff Monsieur lie Comte will give
himself the trouble to accompany
me to the apartments, which, no
doubt, are ready for me-" said the
stranger, rising, 81 will satisfy him.
"Good," said the other, rising, 81
am with you, waive the prelimina
ries. l only beg to observe that | am
without arms, but If you"
"Ob, don't trouble yourself" said
the stranger with grim smile. eff
| you are not afraid, follow me-"
"This he said in voice sufficient.
| ly loud for the nearest to hear, and
the circle parted right and left, like
frightened sheep, as the two walked
away.
Was there no one to call the police
no one to try to prevent what to
all seemed imminent ? Not soul.
The dreaded duelist had his evil fit
on, and every one breathed freely,
now that tie victim was selected.
Moreover no one supposed it would
end there.
The count and his friend (?) were
ushered into the apartment prepar-
ed for the latter, who, as soon as the
garcon had left, took of his coat and
waistcoat and proceeded to move
the furniture so as to leave the room
free for what was 10 follow--the
count standing with folded arms
glared at him. The decks being
clear for action, the stranger locked
the door, placed the key on the man.
tie beside him, and said:
81 think you might have helped a
little. Will you give me your atten'
tion for five minutes ?"
"Perfectly."
"Thank you. I am, as I told yo1,
Frenchman, but l was educated in
England, at one of her famous public
schools. Had I been sent to one OF
our own lycees, | should, perhaps
gained more book knowledge but
as 1t is, 1 have learned some things
which we do not teach, and one OF
them is not to take a mean advan-
tage of any man, but to keep my
own head with my own hands. Do
you understand me, Monster lie
Comte ?"
81 cannot fiatter myselfthat | do. D
"Ah Then must be one who
takes advantage of mere brute
strength against the weak, and who
practiced in the art, compels one un-
practised in it to contend with him
is a coward and a knave. Do you
follow me, now, Monsieur lie Comte ?''
81 came, Monsieur"
"Never mind for what you came
be content with what you will get.
For example-to follow what | was
observing-if man skilled with the
small sword, for the mere vicious
love of quarreling goads to madness
a boy who has never fenced in his
life, and kills him, that man is MUIR
derer and more a coward and a
knave."
"I think l catch your meaning /:
but if you have pistols here 'foamed
the bully.
"I do not come to eat strawber.
ries with pistols in my pockets" re.
Piled the other, in the same cool 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 it and others where the same hab,
it of thoughtprevails, it would be
considered that man who had been
guilty of such cowardice and knave
ry as have mentioned, would be
Justly punished, if in some day, he
should be paid in his own coin, by
meeting some one who would take
the same disadvantage as he placed
that poor boy at"
"Our seconds shall fix our weap-
ons Monsieur" said the count, '1et
this farce end"
presently. These gentlemen,
whose opinions now venture to ex
press, not having that craze for
blood which distinguishes some,
would, probably think that such
l.