Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-02-21

of the bystanders, who laughed hearth
ly at this singular mode of testing the
Iother's assertion"
"None but marshal of France haC
dared to try such pleasantly. To
our subject, sir. I maintained thai
your friend is a coward, and you
"And /" repeated D'Argentre
his eyes flashing, and his lips firmly
compressed.
"Holla, gentlemenp' exclaimed 6
third party, who, owing to the warmth
of the argument, had joined the group
|unpercei7ed. '"This is my affair" said
he to Monsieur d'Argentre, holding
his arm; then turning to his adverse
ry, added "Monsieur de Malatour,
am at your orders"
''In that case, after you, Unnecessary
said D'Argentre, with his usual calm
ness.
| "By my honor you charm me, gen
tlemen! Let us 60"
zone moment" replied the new
comer, who young as he was, wore the
ICIOSS VI OU. LOulS.
sNo remarks. Gentlemen, hasten
F"Too great haste in such cases evil
dences less a contempt for death than
an anxiety to get rid of his phantom. .
81 listen, sir!"
Monsieur d'Argentre just now stat
ed that the bravest have their moments
of fear. Without taking as serious his
anecdote of Monsieur de Turenne, ]
shall add that, with the exception OF
the difference that exists between mus
Giles and nerves, the courage Of the du-
ellist is more an affair of habit than OF
principle; for it is the natural state OF
man to love peace, if not for the sake
of others, at least for himself. Do you
wish me to prove it"
Enough, sir; we are not here to lis
ten to a sermon"
"Yet moment. Here is my pro-
position: we are all assembled this
evening previous to our leave of alb
sence; [ invite you, then, as also these
gentlemen present, to a bear-hunt on
my estate, or rather amongst the pre-
cipices of Clat, in the Eastern Pyrenees.
You are very expert, Monsieur de NAL
atour-you can snuff candle with a
pistol at twenty PAGES, and you have
no equal at the small-Wood. Well, /
you succeed do noteVen say in lodg-
ing ball in his head, but merely in
firing upon him-I shall submit i'm
mediately after to meet you face to face
with any weapons you choose to name,
since it is only at that price [ am to
gain your good opinion"
care you playing comedy, sir?"
"Quite the contrary. And [ even re-
peat that this extreme haste shows
more the courage of the nerves, than
of the true courage arising from prin-
ciple."
"What guarantee have [, should |
accept your proposition, that you will
not again endeayor to evade me ?"
'My word, sir; which I 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 Mala-
tour, though with a bad grace, was
obliged to acceed to the arrangement.
It was then agreed that, on the LIST of
September, all present should assem-
BILE at the Chateau du Clat.
While the young lord Of the manor
is making the necessary preparations
for their reception, we shall explain
the accusation of which he was the OBJ
ject, yet which had not branded him
with any mark Of disgrace among a
class fmen so punctiliOus on the point
of honor.
The young Baron de Villitreton, in
entering amongst the gentlemen who
formed the household guard of the
king of France, carried with him prin-
ciples which remained interrupted
amidst all the frivolities Of one of the
most licentiOus courts in Europe. Such,
however, is the charm Of virture, even
in the midst of vice, that his exempla-
ry conduct had not only gained him
the esteem of his officers, and. the
friendship Of his companions, but had
attracted the attention of the king
himself. One alone among his COM
rades, Monsieur de Malatour, took UNI
bragg At this general favor, and, on
the OCCASION of some trifing express
sion orgesture, publicly insulted him.
Villeteton refused to challenge him,
as beng contrary to his principles,
but determined that this seeming
cowadice, innotfghting well-known
duellst, should be redeemed by some
actin of ecZat during the campaign
| just commenced. That moment had
arried; and for his noble conduct in
trkng the English colors at the battle
Of Eontenoy, he received the cross of
StLouis from the kings own hand on
tn field, the eulogium of Marshal
S&e, and redoubled enmity on the
! prt Of De Malatour.
The first care of the young baron Oh
friving at his estate was to call his
1ajor-domo, an old and faithful SER
ant.
! 81 have business of thee, my master"
said he cordially shaking him by the
hand.